How To Generate App Ideas

Before walking onto a keynote stage in a black turtleneck like Steve Jobs to unveil your latest and greatest app idea, you need to generate that winning idea first.

Idea generation is the process of coming up with new ideas, usually for a business or other creative endeavour.

In this post, we'll talk about app idea generation and explore app idea generation methods, as well as the nuances that come with one of the most important aspects of app development: how to get a winning idea.

There are several ways to generate ideas, including brainstorming, research, and association.

Brainstorming is the most common method of idea generation for app startups. It involves sitting down with a group of people and discussing potential app ideas.

Another approach is to think about problems you or others face on a daily basis, and then try to create app-form solutions to those problems.

Then there is looking at popular apps to see if you can formulate similar or improved versions of them.

Best of all, however, is to develop new and innovative ideas using the Startup Development House Product Discovery Process. Later on, we'll discuss how partnering with the Startup Development House can be beneficial when implementing your idea.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to put some creative time and effort into thinking up original app ideas.

Let's talk about your idea

Tap Into Your Creativity

Among the most popular app inventors have been Steve Jobs, Sergey Brin and Larry Page. They have created some of the most innovative applications used today and through these creations have made a significant impact on the technological world.

Without their creativity and drive, many of the devices and apps we rely on would not exist.

Let’s have a look at some of their approaches as a bit of inspiration for your next app idea. 

What Makes A Good App idea

Having worked with many founders and on a wide range of software development projects, we've learned that there are a few simple ways to validate an app or product idea.

A good app idea should be something that solves a problem or makes life easier in some way.

It should be something that is unique and not already saturating the market.

It should be something that you are passionate about and have a personal connection to.

Good app ideas should be marketable to a specific target audience.

They should also have the potential to be monetized in some way. Great app ideas are usually great business ideas.

The mobile app market is flooded with the competition with many trending app ideas being developed more than once. It's important to have all 5 boxes ticked to ensure your app idea is not only useful, but makes good business sense.

Types Of App Ideas

There are many different types of apps, but some of the most popular categories include games, productivity, social media and entertainment.

Popular App Categories

Productivity

Productivity apps help users to be more efficient and organized in their daily lives, while social media apps allow people to connect with friends and family online.

Entertainment

Entertainment apps provide users with a way to relax and unwind, whether it’s watching a movie, listening to music or reading a book.

Social Media

A social networking app allows people to connect and share moments with an audience or friends.

Games

Games are one of the most popular app categories, as they offer a fun and interactive way to pass the time. 

Now that we've taken a quick look at 4 popular app categories, let's jump into a few sure-fire ways we think could lead to your next big app idea.

12 Effective Ways To Come Up With A New App Ideas

Find A Problem To Solve

Attend Meetups And Hackathons

Observe The App Store

Adapt Existing Mobile App Ideas

Leverage Platforms With Missing Features

Become Acquainted With People's Pain Points

Have Brainstorming Sessions With Different Industry Experts

Contact Inventors

Browse Through Investor Portfolio Pages

Imagine The Future

Be Mindful & Journal Your Day-To-Day Problems

Create Wireframes & Prototypes

Find A Problem To Solve

There are a few reasons why finding a problem to solve can generate app ideas.

First, when you identify a problem, you immediately have a potential customer base. People are always looking for solutions to their problems, so if you can offer a helpful app, they will be more inclined to use it.

Second, solving a problem can be a unique selling point for your app. If you can offer a solution that no one else has thought of or one that is better than other existing solutions, you will gain a competitive advantage.

Finally, identifying a problem can help you to focus your app development efforts. Instead of just trying to create something cool or new, you will have a specific goal in mind that can make the development process more efficient and focused.

Attend Meetups & Hackathons

If you're looking for new app ideas or business opportunities, attending meetups and hackathons can be a great way to generate them.

At these events, you'll be able to meet other like-minded individuals who are also interested in mobile technology and entrepreneurship.

Brainstorming with these people can help you come up with new app ideas that you may not have thought of before.

Additionally, you may also be able to find potential business partners or investors at these events.

Monitor The App Store

When it comes to generating new app ideas, monitoring the app store can be a helpful strategy.

By browsing through the various categories to see what's popular, you may be able to come up with an idea for an app that meets a current need or demand.

Moreover, reading app reviews can also give you some insight into what users are looking for in terms of features and functionality. This can help guide your app development process.

Adapt Existing Mobile App Ideas

There are a lot of reasons why adapting existing mobile apps can help generate app ideas.

For one, it can help you get a feel for what's out there and what's popular. It can also help you understand how different apps work and how they're used.

Additionally, it can give you some insight into what people are looking for in an app, and what they are willing to pay for it.

Finally, since you're not having to start from scratch, you will save much time and effort in the development process.

All these factors can make adapting existing apps a great way to generate app ideas.

Leverage Platforms With Missing Features

When you consider that most platforms or apps have a variety of features that are designed to appeal to a wide range of users, it stands to reason that platforms with missing features can actually help generate new app ideas.

Think about it this way: when you encounter a platform or an app with certain features missing, it gives you the opportunity to think about how you could create an app that would fill that void.

In other words, platforms with missing features can actually be a source of inspiration for new app ideas.

Of course, not all platforms are created equal. Some platforms are more open to third-party developers than others, and some may have more restrictions in place that make it difficult to develop an app which fills a specific need.

Nevertheless, it is still possible to develop an app for a platform with missing features, and doing so can actually be a great way to get your app noticed.

If you're looking for a new app idea, don't discount the possibility of developing an app for a platform with missing features. With a little creativity, you may be able to create an app that becomes the go-to solution for those looking to fill that particular void.

Become Acquainted With People's Pain Points

Pain points can help generate app ideas because they identify areas where people are struggling or where there is room for improvement.

By understanding the pain points of your target audience, you can develop an app that meets their needs and provides a better experience than what is currently available.

Additionally, addressing specific pain points can make your app more appealing to potential users and help you stand out in a crowded market.

Have Brainstorming Sessions With Different Industry Experts

If you're looking to generate some great ideas for your next mobile app, why not consider brainstorming with different industry experts?

This can help you get a variety of perspectives on what might be possible for your app, and can also give you some insight into what others in your industry are doing.

Of course, it's important to not get too bogged down in other people's ideas – ultimately, you'll want to come up with something that is unique to your app and your business.

But brainstorming with different experts can help you generate some great ideas that you might not have thought of on your own.

Contact Inventors

There are a few reasons why contacting inventors can help to generate app ideas.

First, inventors are often creative people who are always looking for new ways to solve problems. This means that they may have some great ideas for apps that you would never have thought of on your own.

In addition, inventors are usually very passionate about their work and are always looking for ways to improve upon it. This means that they may be willing to share their ideas with you and help you to develop them further.

Finally, inventors often have a lot of experience in the field of their invention and may be able to provide you with valuable insights that you would never have thought of on your own.

Contacting inventors can therefore be a great way to generate new and innovative app ideas.

Browse Through Investor Portfolio Pages

When you browse through an investor's portfolio, you can get a feel for the type of companies they're interested in and the types of apps they're likely to invest in.

This can help you generate ideas for apps that might be a good fit for their portfolio. Additionally, reading an investor's blog or tweets can give you insights into their interests and what they're looking for in an investment.

Investors are often looking for the next big thing, and they tend to have their finger on the pulse of what's popular and trending. This makes them a great source of information when you're looking for ideas for apps.

Many investors are happy to share their thoughts and insights on various app concepts, so you can get valuable feedback that can help you refine your ideas.

Imagine The Future

When you imagine the future, you open yourself up to new possibilities.

This can be a great way to generate new ideas for apps. By thinking about what might be possible in the future, you can come up with app concepts that are truly innovative and unique.

So don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild when you're brainstorming new app ideas. Who knows what you might come up with?

Be Mindful and Journal Your Day-To-Day Problems

When it comes to generating new ideas for apps, being mindful and journaling can help a lot.

By taking the time to be aware of your thoughts and feelings, you can start to see patterns emerge.

This can be helpful in identifying potential areas for improvement or new app ideas.

Additionally, journaling can provide a way to track your progress and brainstorm new ideas. By taking the time to be mindful and journaling, you give yourself a better chance of coming up with new app ideas which could be successful.

Create Wireframes & Prototypes

Creating wireframes and prototypes is a great way to generate new app ideas.

By doing this, you can get a better sense of how your app will look and feel, as well as how it will work.

This can help you to come up with new ideas for your app, or to improve upon existing ones. Plus, it can also help you to communicate your ideas to others more effectively.

Key Considerations

What To Do After Generating A Mobile App Idea

Once you have a few ideas, it's important to validate them to see if they're actually viable app ideas. This means doing market research to see if there's a demand for the app and whether there are already similar apps on the market.

It's also important to think about whether or not you have the skills and resources to actually build the app.

If not, you may need to partner with someone who does, such as Startup Development House or consider outsourcing the development.

How to find your ideal mobile app development team

Not every visionary with great app ideas is also able to develop them. Nor can the best free app templates or the best app development tutorials make the app creation process easy when you've never done it before.

Coming up with new mobile app ideas you believe in is no easy feat, so when you do, it's crucial that you enlist the best app developers to ensure these ideas are fully realized.

There are a few key things to look for when choosing a mobile app development team.

Be sure that the team you’re considering has experience in developing apps for your specific operating system.

You should also ensure that they have a strong track record of delivering quality apps. 

Finally, it is crucial that the team can support and maintain your app once it is developed.

The Startup House offers a complete suite of software development services that can take your project from conception to completion.

We have a proven track record of delivering high-quality software on time and within budget. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and deliver a solution that meets their expectations.

If you are looking for a software development team that can get the job done, look no further than The Startup House. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements.

Mobile Apps Vs Web Apps

Whether you're looking to create mobile app ideas or new web app ideas, it is useful to consider the difference between the two.

A mobile app is a software application designed to run on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. A web app, on the other hand, is a website that is designed to work on any device with a web browser, regardless of the screen size.

The key difference between mobile apps and web apps lies in the fact that mobile apps are designed to be used on a specific device, while web apps can be used on any device with a web browser.

Mobile apps are typically designed for a specific operating system (OS), such as iOS or Android, and must be downloaded and installed on a device to be used. Web apps, on the other hand, can be accessed on any device with a web browser without the need to download or install anything.

Another key difference between mobile apps and web apps is that mobile apps are usually designed to work offline, while web apps require an internet connection in order to function.

Mobile apps are typically more expensive to develop than web apps, due to the need to create separate versions for each OS. Web apps can be developed more cheaply, as they only need to be created once and will work on any device with a web browser.

Mobile apps are typically more difficult to develop than web apps, due to the need to create separate versions for each OS. Web apps can be developed more easily, as they only need to be created once and will work on any device with a web browser.

Conclusion

If you're stuck looking for mobile application ideas, don't despair. With a little creativity and some market research, you can come up with plenty of great concepts for your next mobile project.

To get started, try brainstorming potential app ideas with friends or colleagues.

Once you've got a few potential ideas, do some research to see if there's a demand for them in the market. If there is, great! You can start working on designing and developing your app.

If you're still struggling to come up with ideas, take a look at what other developers are doing. See if there's anything you can improve upon or add to an existing app.

With a little effort, you should be able to come up with a killer app idea that people will love.

Summary

Tips on how to generate app ideas:

Identify a problem that you or someone else has experienced then brainstorm ways in which an app could help solve it.

Think about what kind of app would be useful or fun to have and then consider how it could be implemented in a unique way.

Take inspiration from other popular apps and see if you can come up with your own twist on their concepts.

Ask people around you what kind of app they would like to see and then try to develop something that meets those needs.

Keep up with the latest trends in the app world and see if you can come up with an innovative idea that takes advantage of new technology.

By following these tips, you will greatly improve your chances of developing an app idea with the potential for success.