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In this episode, we add our two cents to the ongoing conversation about app pricing. We start by asking if paid apps are really dead, or if there’s still a place for paid apps in the App Store. Next, we discuss the future of premium priced apps, and consider the uncomfortable question of whether these are really the kinds of apps that Apple wants to see in its ecosystem. Then we turn our attention to mid-priced apps, and the apparent collapse of the $2 to $5 app market that both Charles and Joe have noticed. Has this collapse effectively given rise to two different App Stores? Finally, we look at price signaling and the message that an app’s price sends to potential customers.

Be sure to tune in next week for the conclusion of this discussion on app pricing.
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Today we’re joined by Greg Pierce of Agile Tortoise who makes such fine apps as Drafts and Terminology. Greg shares with us his experience in the App Store, what he was thinking about as he updated Drafts for iOS 7, and some of the history behind the x-callback-url system of inter-app communication which he developed. Then we talk about his experience in marketing Drafts, how Greg got into this industry in the first place, and why he created an app for an App Store niche that was already crowded. Finally, we get Greg’s take on app pricing and how he determines the price for his work.
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Today we chat about our experience at the recently held 360iDev conference, and some of the best presentations we saw while we were there. Then we dive into the topic of Joe’s 360iDev presentation: customer service. Joe makes the case that excellent customer service is the distinguishing factor that separates successful long-term software businesses from flash in the pan operations that don’t survive in the long-run, and then we discuss some of the ways that app developers can provide great support to their customers.
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Today we conclude our conversation about websites for products and businesses. We start with a discussion of features that every website should have, and which of those features are most often overlooked. Then we consider how prominently to feature your social media presence, the benefits and risks of promoting other products, and the dubious benefits of affiliate links. Finally, we close with a discussion developing websites with HTML/CSS compared to a blogging platform, and whether or not your personal blog should be part of your company website.
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In this episode we begin a conversation about the websites that we use to promote our products. We discuss the role of the website when all purchases have to happen in the App Store and the all-important first impression that your website makes. We talk about the different pre- and post-sale roles that a product website needs to fill, what information should be emphasized and deemphasized in your website, and tailoring the content and feel of your website to your target customer. Finally, we consider whether it’s better to have a different website for each app or a single company website, and the essential features that every website should have. Be sure to listen to part 2 of this conversation next week.