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From Concept to Launch: Stand Out with a Customized App

By Chris Jones Gaming contributor Micah Norris

In today’s digital-first world, creating an app for your business isn’t just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Embarking on this journey requires a clear vision, a deep understanding of your audience, and a strategic approach to stand out. This Chris Jones Gaming guide will navigate you through the essential steps to turn your app idea into a powerful business tool.

Identifying Goals and Who You’re Building For

Firstly, understand the core objectives behind your app. Are you looking to enhance customer service, provide a new service, or improve operational efficiency? Pinning down the exact purpose will guide your development process. Equally important is knowing your audience. A detailed user persona will inform your design, features, and marketing strategies, making your app resonate with its intended users.

Leveraging a Computer Science Foundation

Acquiring a firm grasp of the fundamental principles of application development is vital, particularly when taking charge of a project. Enrolling in a program to get your computer science degree online facilitates learning alongside your professional commitments. It provides an extensive understanding of data structures, programming languages, algorithms, and more.

These components are indispensable in the app development journey. Opting for the online route to attain your computer science degree empowers you with the essential expertise required for adept project leadership and proficient development.

Work with a Mentor

Working with a mentor when launching the first app for your business can provide invaluable insights and guidance, ensuring that common pitfalls are avoided and best practices are followed. A mentor brings a wealth of experience and can help refine your app’s concept, design, and functionality, making it more appealing to your target audience. They can also offer advice on marketing and user engagement, critical components for the success of your app.

Moreover, a mentor can introduce you to a network of potential investors, partners, and other resources that can be crucial in the early stages of your app’s launch. Their feedback can be instrumental in iterating and improving your app based on real user experiences, thereby enhancing its chances for success in a competitive market. Engaging with a mentor is not just about leveraging their knowledge but also about fostering a relationship that can support the growth and scalability of your business in the long term.

Navigating the Competitive Landscape

Dive into market and competitor analysis to carve out your niche. This exploration reveals what’s already available and where your app can shine. Identifying unmet needs within your target market or offering a superior solution to existing problems can set your app apart from the competition.

Budgeting and Resource Planning

Every app’s journey from concept to launch is dictated by its budget and resources. Deciding whether to hire a dedicated team, outsource, or use a DIY app builder will significantly impact your project’s cost and timeline. A realistic budget aligns with your business goals, ensuring the project stays on track financially and operationally.

Ensuring a Seamless Launch with Rigorous Testing

Before unveiling your app to the world, thorough testing is imperative. This phase uncovers any technical issues, ensuring your app works flawlessly across different devices and operating systems. A bug-free, user-friendly app is more likely to garner positive reviews and retain users.

Crafting a Compelling Marketing Strategy

A well-thought-out marketing plan is essential for your app’s success. Utilizing social media, email campaigns, and influencer collaborations can elevate your app’s visibility. Tailor your marketing efforts to speak directly to your target audience, highlighting the unique benefits your app offers.

The Power of Analytics

Incorporating analytics tools from the start allows you to gather valuable data on user behavior and engagement. These metrics, such as session duration and feature usage, guide ongoing improvements by highlighting what works well and what doesn’t. By continuously refining features based on this data, you enhance user experience and drive business growth through informed decision-making.

Prioritizing the User Experience

The heart of your app’s success lies in its usability, which is paramount in retaining users and encouraging new downloads. Focusing on intuitive design ensures that users can navigate your app with ease, while fast load times prevent frustration and abandonment. Engaging content keeps users interested and returning for more, turning satisfied users into loyal customers who advocate for your app through word of mouth and social shares.

Wrapping Up

Creating an app for your business is a transformative journey that requires careful planning, dedication, and a user-centric approach. You can develop an app that meets and exceeds expectations by focusing on your goals, understanding your audience, and leveraging the right resources.

Remember, the goal is to launch an app and create a valuable tool that enhances your business and delights your users. Embrace the challenge, and let your app be the key to unlocking new opportunities for growth and engagement.

Chris Jones Gaming - The Ultimate Universe - and Chris Jones Media

Gaming Evolution

15 years ago we delivered a downloadable product that went viral, the beginning of our Gaming Evolution.

I was interviewed recently regarding that successful undertaking. A link to the interview follows..

It was dream for a long time to launch a digital marketing agency.

As early as 1993, before ‘Chris Jones Media’ existed, I was building websites for real estate agents, and had a side business with on-site computer consulting, taking care of software issues for customers in their own home.

This continued while I was involved in PC Gaming, modifying existing games, in the science fiction genre, with improved graphics, sound effects, and gameplay.

This evolved into leading a team of about 20 people on a mission to completely transform a particular PC Game into something much better than it was.

I was interviewed in March 2023 about this game modification by some fans of our ‘mod’. In this interview I talk about organizing teams, accomplishing goals and becoming sought after.

See it here:  https://lnkd.in/g5nWJf2Z

Our modification of a #startrek pc game garnered many thousands of downloads and is still downloaded to this day.

I mention my gaming days because of the challenges involved in coordinating people from around the world in different time zones and with conflicting personalities.

Along the way I developed a deep understanding of what consumers need and want, and how to communicate with them effectively.

This, coupled with being in Radio Broadcasting and Face to Face sales in various industries, led to a deep understanding of consumer pain points, and the methods to take care of them.

This is my Gaming Evolution.

Because of that, I formed Chris Jones Media. Initially I was building Websites – and later added Voice and Video Creation services, along with business advice.

Over the past year, with a few collaborations and work hiccups I came to understand true teamwork and it became apparent that my long held dream can be done: I have built a digital agency at chrisjonesmedia.com. That is my ‘Gaming Evolution’.

My experiences in the gaming industry set me up for what is happening today. As Sir Patrick Stewart said more than once, “Make It So”!

Chris Jones Gaming

Make A Game

At one point Chris Jones Gaming was considering making a game. This was about 15 years ago when we were modifying Star Trek games.

It hasn’t happened, but who is to say it won’t happen. If we were to do that, here’s a bit of what’s involved.

Making a science fiction game involves a lot of stuff, as you might know, including:

  1. Concept development: Developing the game concept, which involves creating the storyline, characters and their interaction with each other, and the setting. This is the foundation upon which the game will be built, where it starts.
  2. Game engine selection: The game engine is the software framework that is used to create the game. Popular game engines used for science fiction games include Unreal Engine, Unity, and CryEngine.
  3. Art and design: Once the game engine is selected, the next step is to create the game’s art and design elements, including 3D models, textures, animations, and user interface.
  4. Programming: The game’s mechanics, features, and interactions are created through programming, using languages such as C++, C#, and Python. I have a few people in mind for this.
  5. Sound and music: Sound and music play a crucial role in immersing players in the game’s world. Game developers must create or license appropriate sound effects and music tracks that fit the game’s theme and mood. I have someone in mind for this.
  6. Testing and debugging: As the game is being developed, it must be tested and debugged to ensure that it is functioning as intended. This involves identifying and fixing bugs, balancing gameplay mechanics, and optimizing performance. This is one of my favorite parts of the process.
  7. Distribution and marketing: Once the game is complete, it must be brought to the gamers of the world. This involves distribution channels, like digital storefronts or physical distribution, and marketing the game through various channels to attract players and fans.

To Make a Game, that is popular, involves quite a lot – and the talent needed isn’t going to work for free. Getting it done involves many different skills and areas of expertise. The author, Chris Jones, is working on all of that. I have talent in mind.

Stay tuned.

I have talked about this before -the fact that I’m bringing it up again means I have not, and will not, drop the idea. Full transparency – I’ve done nothing but think about making a game since I wrote the last article about making a game.

Make a Game - Chris Jones Gaming
Chris Jones Gaming SciFi
Chris Jones Gaming SciFi

We are going to make a game

I feel the beginning of a month is a good time to announce something like this.

We are going to make a game.

Chris Jones Gaming is going to make a game.

What kind of Game?

Science Fiction – or SciFi.

We got the look..

I have a short story that will be published soon – I’ve been saying that for a while – but it is happening.

It will for sure be a PC Game, and we’ll discuss Console versions.

Update Sept 19, 2022 – The Short Story has been released on Amazon – Click this!!!

Heading up The Ultimate Universe Mod starting in 2007 was a fantastic experience, and I believe it to be the time right to create something brand new.

There’ll be more on this as it progresses.

Excited for the Future!

Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe