Apps are all the rage as the kids say, but does your startup need an app or joy? The answer depends on your business and marketing strategy. An app can either add value or confuse people of your purpose.

Let’s take a look at when an app makes sense for a startup. If you are selling a product it is not likely to further your cause at the startup phase unless your audience could use it for more than a single transaction. For example, if you are in the medical industry and your product is complex or patients may want more information about it from the physician, it may serve a continuous purpose. He physician could use it to educate all its patients that undergo a specific procedure.

I say continuos because building an app for one time or infrequent use is wasteful. Users may download it once, but then remove it later when they have not used it in a while.

In the case of an electrician, it would not make sense because a user is not going to order an electricians services on a regular basis or use it to access account information.

If you are starting a website that has account information or dynamic content and purpose, you would likely want to consider an app at least build the site with the ability to later have access via an app. If you are an insurance agent, that would be another opportunity for an app. In that case, users could pay bills, review balances, submit a claim with photos, etc.

So how do you go about getting started with an app?
There are several was to create an app:

• WYSWYG Simple App Creators

There are many easy to use app builders that use a template based view to create standard apps. Some supported both iPhone and droid operating systems. There are limitations to what you can do with them, but they are inexpensive and fast.

• Hire a Designer

You also have the option of using designer who can create a fully custom app, which can cost from 300 to 10,000 or more depending on how custom it is and how good the designer is.

• A platform like MotherApp

There are several other app platforms out there, but MotherApp is one of the biggest. It is similar to the app builder, but every all that uses it has the same features and format. It’s modular design adds your content using rss feeds, Twitter, etc. I suggest searching for App Platforms and finding one that suits your needs. Some exist for musicians, companies, artists, and more.

If you decide you don’t need an app, you should put your efforts into a mobile website. There are many free WordPress themes or simple ways to create a mobile site.

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