Today’s App Developer’s Corner features Ronnie Schwartz of IntuApps, makers of popular applications like Swine Flu Tracker Map. The following is what Ronnie shared with us about running an end-to-end development shop.
Give us a quick overview about yourself and company.
I’m CoFounder and CTO of IntuApps, our mobile brand that focuses on app design, development, and strategy. We’ve developed more then fifty apps and have seen great success in downloads/engagement for several of our apps, including one that hit the #1 spot in the App Store. Since 1994, when I founded RustyBrick, I’ve been developing custom web software and technologies for businesses and organizations.
Why did you move into the mobile space and what was your incentive to use the iPhone platform?
As soon as Apple announced the SDK, we joined in. We started writing software for Jewish iPhone users, and then we partnered with NY marketing agency, Intuwin, to launch our mobile brand, IntuApps. Our incentive – the rich features of the SDK coupled with the unprecedented marketing distribution channel of the App Store.
How do you differentiate yourself from other developers when working with brands, retailers, or book publishers?
We do everything in house which translates into more cohesive apps. Our designers, developers and sales people all use iPhones. This really helps the whole process in understanding what is involved in creating an intuitive user experience. And, for retailers, it is usually necessary to communicate with their backend systems; so, we differentiate ourselves by already having such experience in building and customizing existing infrastructures.
When developing a marketing plan, what would you say has been the most successful strategy/avenue for promoting and increasing visibility for your projects?
iPhone apps are all about what is hot in the news. We wrote an app called Swine Flu Tracker which got so much press. It wasn’t the app that was outstanding, it was the timing. If you’re the first and release at a good time, you’ll get press. Press = downloads.
How has Pinch Analytics helped with app development, promotion, and marketing?
We are able to see how people use our apps and develop updates accordingly. Also, we can monitor things like usage across the world. This helps us decide if we should release a localization for different countries.
Do you have any piece of advice that you would like to share?
You wouldn’t release a website without Google Analytics, why would you release an app without Pinch? It’s essential to track usage and engagement no matter what medium.
If you would like to find out more about IntuApps’ offerings, check out their website. And if you would like to track how your marketing strategies translate into resulting user behavior, register for an account at Pinch Media and let us know if you have any questions getting started.
-Adit Shukla