I recently separated to pursue my passion of physical therapy and a potential business owner. With my recent non-selection into one graduate school, I want to explore my app idea while awaiting other graduate schools this upcoming year. Therefore, I am reaching out to fellow veterans with any assistance in app developing and the following steps. Currently, I completed a market analysis of other apps with similar features and have only found one. This particular app is too large and open source. I would like to utilize this app, refine it, and make it more user friendly. I'm currently working with a lawyer (friend) to establish a NDA for free. My next step is to create the app and a sign a non-competing clause (contract) with the developer. I currently have one interested investor (friend) and am in the process of creating a marketing strategy to reach out to PT clinics locally. As far as formulating a follow-on business plan to possibly bring to SBA or other investors, please provide any suggestions or any input on how to streamline this product. Thank you for time and assistance.
Answers
As Ashutosh mentioned, Udemity is a great source for cheap education in that arena. You may find a platform where you can develop the interface or a working model then provide it to a company that takes it from there. I feel this is a good approach also because most people grossly underestimate the challenges of adding specific features that really make a solution shine. By taking this approach, even if you outsource the final development, you can better understand what goes into it and better guide development.
This may not be the best option but is one that I like - Consider FileMaker (a multi-platform database by an Apple subsidiary). If you're going for strictly an app, it probably won't be the best platform for distribution but is great for modeling. And if you decide to expand it to offer a desktop or web interface then this could be a route to go. When looking into it you'll have to dig through the desktop information. You'll find a pretty feature rich mobile interface.
Good luck!
Jeff
Nicholas- Ashutosh said it- and I agree. Look at oDesk as he says, also look at elance. You can also look at Sencha and ibuildapp.com as well. The latter two may enable you to build the app yourself.
Think about how you would not only market and sell the app, but how you would also support it and train users.. Also, think about how it could possibly integrate to the PT facility's IT system and if it is secure as it may work with patient records.
Finally, your investor friend- make sure yours and his terms are clear and you are not jumping in to something that will ruin a friendship and waste money!
Hi Nicholas,
Very good idea.
By app, I assume you are referring web site and mobile apps like iPhone, Android apps.
While there are many freelance are available in different community/sites, I would suggest you to analyze couple of things. But to answer your question straight, you can explore developers on www.oDesk.com. One of them I know is www.zitherstudio.com.
Other option is to develop skills of programming. It's not as crazy as it may sound. Recently Udemy (online courses) was offering course for website development, Android, iPhone development for 10$ each. Not sure if offer is still valid but that's not only one source. You can explore www.youtube.com for similar lessons for free.
You may get apps developed by someone, and keep maintaining/adding feature yourself.
Good luck.
Ashutosh
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