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The Challenge of App Store Iterations

The article delves into the challenges faced by mobile app startups in the realm of the app store, highlighting the common pitfalls and suggesting strategies for faster iteration cycles.

• The article emphasizes the importance of releasing a high-quality app while maintaining a rapid development cycle.
• It argues that mobile startups often take too long to ship their initial versions and then spend too much time between updates, hindering their success.
• The article draws a comparison to the "waterfall"-style product development practices of the late 1990s, which were characterized by lengthy development cycles and limited user feedback.

Picking the Right Minimum Product

The first key to faster iteration is to focus on developing the right minimum product. The author suggests picking a niche market where differentiation is possible and avoiding the expensive process of exploring new markets.

• The article underscores the importance of striking a balance between quality and speed. A polished app with a limited featureset allows for faster releases without compromising quality.
• It emphasizes the benefits of choosing an existing market with competitors, as it reduces the need for extensive market research and iteration.
• The author quotes several experts, including Kieran O’Neill and Tony Wright, who advocate for focusing on niche apps and launching early, rather than waiting for a big PR launch.

Testing the Market Before App Store Launch

Testing the market before a full launch is crucial for mobile apps. This strategy allows startups to identify bugs, refine the design, and gather user feedback, improving the chances of a successful app store launch.

• The article highlights the importance of minimizing bugs and design issues before launching to avoid negative app store reviews and a poor user experience.
• The author recommends stealthy releases, where multiple versions of the app are launched under different accounts, gathering user feedback before a formal public release.
• Experts such as Matt Brezina and Kenton Kivestu suggest using Android as a platform for prototyping and testing, as it offers faster update cycles compared to the App Store.
• The article also proposes conducting initial testing in other geographies, such as Canada or New Zealand, with high smartphone penetration and English-speaking audiences.

Coding and Shipping Quickly

The article stresses the importance of adopting a rapid coding and shipping approach to maximize iteration speed in mobile app development.

• The article suggests setting a goal of submitting an update to the App Store every 7-10 days, encouraging developers to break down features into smaller, manageable chunks that can be released incrementally.
• It encourages the use of daily builds and tools like TestFlight for internal releases, allowing for continuous testing and feedback within the development team.
• The author compares the rapid deployment practices of web development to the potential for faster iterations in the app store, emphasizing that such a culture needs to be ingrained in mobile app development teams.

Conclusion: Iterating Faster in the App Store

The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of a combination of factors for faster iteration in mobile app development, including:

• Building a simple but polished initial version of the app (v1)
• Conducting systematic market testing before launching the app in the app store
• Implementing strong, iterative product management practices
• Submitting updates to the app store weekly and conducting daily testing using tools like TestFlight

The article encourages further discussion and collaboration within the tech community to find new and innovative ways to accelerate mobile app development cycles and optimize the process of launching and iterating on the app store.