Why don't more coders launch their own apps? (and how to get around it)

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  • čas přidán 27. 08. 2024

Komentáře • 102

  • @cihadturhan
    @cihadturhan Před měsícem +91

    It's like, why don't all the chefs open their own restaurant?
    Because it's not just about cooking. There are cooking, serving, cleaning, hiring, managing, accounting etc tasks to be handled. Besides you need to have free time and a good amount of savings to do so. In return, you won't be sure if you're restaurant is good enough to make living and eventually make rich.
    Likewise, even a simple app needs coding and testing for a month or two, designing, preparing appstore/playstore screenshots, icons and other store entries, ASO research, ad budget, ad creatives and campaign management bla bla and in the end your app may flop.
    Some devs don't want to risk it and get stressed and I totally understand that.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +7

      Nah, it's a perfect analogy

    • @sp123
      @sp123 Před měsícem +5

      Being good at a job and being an entrepreneur are two different skills

  • @JumpingCow
    @JumpingCow Před měsícem +15

    Writing a version 1 of an app is one thing. Updating, supporting, marketing, selling, financing...something else entirely.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +4

      The most frustrating part of that is not knowing whether 10 people use my version 1 because no one else needs the tool, or just because no one who needs it knows about it

  • @MilMike
    @MilMike Před měsícem +33

    I used to create a software product 20y ago. I just wanted to make an existing product better (a windows tool). I didn't care about if it will be successful. I just enjoyed the process of creating and learning.
    I created a website for my product and asked myself the question, what next... how the hell people will download it? I learned about SEO and I published my software to many software download sites. I even created my own software website so other devs could publish on my site.
    I remember when I got my first sale. It was magical.
    I absolutely had no idea what I was doing. I also was crap at coding. Learned everything by doing (and copy pasting xD )
    You basically need an initial idea. Maybe make an existing product better. Finding something completely new is hard but could be very profitable, but most ideas from history are combinations of other ideas. Find a problem and solve it. People will pay. Another advice: don't spend too long on that product. Do not plan every detail in andvance. Try to deploy a mvp.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      This!

    • @chrisbaker5284
      @chrisbaker5284 Před měsícem

      I did the same thing, it was a Windows application for managing a small garage business (customer db, invoicing etc), it's web based now. I created it for the same reason, to learn new technology and just enjoy the process of creating something of my own. I knew a few people in the garage industry and they used to use it for free, but it meant that I had to write it to be production ready so to speak, as it was helping them run their business so each release had to be properly tested, working and reliable.
      I learned a lot from the process and like you I have got to a point where I'm thinking, now what? Do I try to sell it? Where do I sell it? As it's a bit niche it's difficult to find a place to put it and wait for orders to come rolling in lol. Anyway, thanks for that, it's nice to know I'm not alone in that feeling of what to do next.

  • @DanielDogeanu
    @DanielDogeanu Před měsícem +5

    I think the best approach to launch your own app, is to work and grind on a job for a couple of years, and set funds aside to last you at least a year, and then quit your job, and work full-time on building your app. If you run out of funds, pause the development, and get hired again, set funds aside again, and repeat the process!
    However, I don't think the lack of time and burnout is the real reason of why more coders aren't building their apps. It's business, admin, taxes, and laws! I personally don't want to become a business owner! I like coding, not talking to people and investors and clients! I'm not good with laws and taxes, and it's a straight-up nightmare to deal with all those! I think people should focus on doing what they love and what they're good at, instead of trying to get rich no matter what! It's a miserable experience otherwise!

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      This resonated, 'appreciate that insight

    • @ted2091
      @ted2091 Před 27 dny +1

      I totally agree with the second paragraph, however I would not quit my job unless it's really necessary.
      Always try to build an MVP in your free time to prove your concept , and if that's not possible, only quit if you have properly identified the market-fit for your solution, otherwise you might be risking a gap in your CV and are losing out on additional funding.

  • @freshstartbusiness
    @freshstartbusiness Před měsícem +30

    Make an app for other coders, because that way everything at work is transferable. Wait, every coder does that

    • @yarpenzigrin1893
      @yarpenzigrin1893 Před měsícem +2

      Exactly. Make an app for small and medium business in a non-technical niche. Not only are the problems much easier to solve, there are also fewer people who can solve them because it's a non-technical niche where people can't even write simple automation scipts, much less a full app.

  • @viniciusalvess
    @viniciusalvess Před měsícem +7

    I'm on this grind, working the 9-5 and building my own platform on my free time. It has been about 2 years already, spending ~2 hours every day. It is not easy, but it is starting to get traction.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +3

      2 years! That's a level of tenacity few have.

  • @vampz14
    @vampz14 Před měsícem +4

    I have been struggling with this for half a decade and you were on point 100% as to what is the issue and that’s why all coders can’t have their own shop. But knowing that the upper management gets richer out of coders motivates me to build, deploy, market and handle the business side, if it fails its still a win because you get a lot of experience and can be used to advance your position. The only thing missing is the work ethic and the discipline. One last point don’t just focus on the result but enjoy the journey and the rest will come.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you! That experience is the reason I don't regret a working on a single side project

  • @CodingSync
    @CodingSync Před měsícem +7

    It could be fear related to legal issues, servicing customers that complain, worry about not fully testing the App, processing payments, hiding it from your employer etc. These fears would be maxed for a SAAS product I think.

  • @olafbaeyens8955
    @olafbaeyens8955 Před měsícem +7

    People have this mindset that everything must be connected to the cloud and must be reachable to the whole world.
    Without the cloud nothing can exist and we are slaves to CEO's.
    Give what customers want, something not polluted with spyware, something that does not have a subscription and something that does not show targeted advertisement. Juniors developers have to let go that nothing exists without an internet connection.
    Create software for local shops. create software that does not need cloud as database, but reside in NAS server.
    Do you really think that running a small hotel requires any cloud connection? Do you really think that price displays need a internet connection to show any prices? Hell no, just a Raspberry pie.
    Create software for local business.
    Let go of the "I need a cloud" mantra. No you don't!

    • @coderlady_
      @coderlady_ Před 24 dny

      Hi,
      can you give an exemple for this kind of app/ software ? thank you

    • @olafbaeyens8955
      @olafbaeyens8955 Před 24 dny

      @@coderlady_Small software I created back in the 90's was a Hotel program, a Fitness program. Just DOS and Floppy disk, not even a database used but text files.
      Hotel program was just to keep track of the customer info, rooms that was reserved and when the room needed cleaning. This was written in about 2 weeks.
      Fitness program was a recurring custom job because the boss had new ideas that he wanted to be implemented.
      But the point I make is single user programs, that has no cloud connection, no subscription, no targeted advertisement or spyware and can keep in functioning when the internet goes down, fast response not the sluggish web responses. The program will work 10+ years from now.
      But I think you can also create billboard software for small shops.
      Think single user, easy to use, you can program it all alone, no cloud connection...

  • @AnthonyDunk
    @AnthonyDunk Před 14 dny

    Spot on! As a developer with a day job who has also launched apps, I agree with everything you said. Personally I channelled my hobby of hiking and what I was doing at my day job (working on GIS systems) into creating my most successful app, called Handy GPS. How did I find time? By watching less TV and working late into the night sometimes. It's not easy, but if you're passionate enough about your side project, you'll make the time. The marketing side however is more of a challenge for someone from a coding background.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před 13 dny +1

      I love hearing from coders who launched successfully, it's so encouraging. Love the app too, I'm glad you mentioned it!

  •  Před měsícem +6

    I think its just a thing of preference. Some people get excited to work on projects like that some just consider them a nightmare. Its like the thing with mechanics and Why do most mechanics drive junk cars or at least simple cars? Work becomes work and work usually consists of things you don't feel like doing. :D
    Good luck to you too

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +4

      I noticed that with barbers that have boring cuts while they give their customers sick fades and line-ups.

  • @notscarawards
    @notscarawards Před měsícem +29

    We do code up apps, they just don't get traction

    • @yarpenzigrin1893
      @yarpenzigrin1893 Před měsícem +1

      Then learn marketing.
      Find where your users are, go there and tell them that you made something cool for them.

    • @danigui8573
      @danigui8573 Před měsícem

      @@yarpenzigrin1893 marketing needs money. a lot.

  • @asaa1212
    @asaa1212 Před 14 dny

    I just quit my job after saving up quite a bit to start focusing on personal projects.
    Personally, the amount of mental effort I put in my coding job leaves me too exhausted to work on anything else.
    One thing I noticed though that was a real anti-motivator for me to quit and start working independently was the high salaries I receive as an employed software developer. After including the RSUs and yearly bonuses, I calculated that I can reach financial freedom with a high standard of living in about 7 years if I stayed on the job, vs if I start a start-up where the chances are stacked against success.
    So as a software dev I don't even have to start a startup to be "rich", and the correct economic decision is to stay on the job, and probably I would get a lot more ROI by learning and making myself more valuable to employers and keep on changing jobs for a higher salary.
    For me I quit because it is something that I'm really passionate about and always dreamt of , and nothing to do with the money, worst case, I had fun for a year and I'll go back to being employed

  • @thatryanp
    @thatryanp Před měsícem +2

    Nice vid! Correction: people don't make money releasing apps, they make money selling apps. Not only that, they have to acquire customers faster than they lose customers. And their cost of acquiring new customers has to be less than they get in total business from each customer. (CAC, LTV)
    Most developers are better served making projects without revenue requirement. It helps your development in so many ways.
    If you think you are called to be a business owner, at least consider starting with a small non-software venture. Sell things to people. If this idea seems absurd to you, you're not ready to start a business. Become a better engineer. That will provide your best ROI.

  • @asdfmoviesssssssssss
    @asdfmoviesssssssssss Před 29 minutami

    Have you thought about taking a break from your job? Then giving yourself 3 months to build a project, and see what it can bring?

  • @geoffplywood6112
    @geoffplywood6112 Před měsícem +1

    I followed 200+ iOS devs on Twitter for a year or so. Some were FAANG superstars, others were little guys like me trying to learn. One thing became clear: full-time devs aren't good at coming up with app ideas outside their area of expertise. Their apps were almost all the generic ideas that have been done a hundred times before

  • @codingismyreligion
    @codingismyreligion Před měsícem +1

    The grind don't stop!

  • @ps-dn7ce
    @ps-dn7ce Před měsícem +3

    This is good advice.
    Regarding how to break out of it, the other solution is a sabbatical or some form of break from a full-time job. You can incorporate breaks (e.g., a few months) between jobs to focus on your app. This way, you don't get significant gaps in your CV and still have some time for deep work on your projects.
    When it comes to why more developers are not doing this, in at least some cases, money in full-time employment is simply too big. Big tech or finance firms pay really good money, and when you do the math, you realize that you can save and invest at a very high rate (e.g. 50%+ of your net pay). Basically, you can "get rich" off full-time employment which is an anomaly in human history 🙂

  • @Geek-jx3gw
    @Geek-jx3gw Před dnem

    i love your channel man! you are inspiring and saying facts about our daily job as programmers..
    its so sad that you burnt out thinking and solving solutions and only take a small amount of salary while you can have more than that if you have the time to build and focus

  • @williamsloan7857
    @williamsloan7857 Před měsícem +5

    I write software to solve problems to make lives easier in some way. I have no interest in monetizing app, dealing with business stuff (ick), etc.

  • @jorg1piano
    @jorg1piano Před měsícem +3

    Most apps are thrash. You have to be exceptional to compete on the free market. Most apps fail. If I spent all the time I spent making apps In my job instead, I would have made so much money.

  • @ltpfdev
    @ltpfdev Před měsícem +3

    As a developer, I don't think building the app is the issue. I think it's a combination of "good ideas" and marketing. I've made hundreds of things to solve problems, my unique one-off problem. Finding a generalized problem to solve that enough people for the app to be successful is hard.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem

      I think you're right, just because however much I complain about having no time - if I had a good enough idea then the MVP would actually take off

    • @ltpfdev
      @ltpfdev Před měsícem +4

      @@BigStupidTech time is hard to come by, but I think a lot of people who say they have no time, actually aren't making good use of their time. Even with time, without the idea and especially the ability to market that idea, your time and idea are useless.
      I worked with someone who had an idea and I built it and we were 50/50. I would've charged like $100 one time payment for this on my own. He knew how to market it and brought high 5 figures. The first usable version of this took me 1 hour to write the code.

  • @cbaesemanai
    @cbaesemanai Před měsícem +2

    Yes absolutely I am a very technical person. Running a business and the marketing does not satisfy my creativity. Give me a good business and marketing guy and we could make millions.

  • @blarghblargh
    @blarghblargh Před měsícem +1

    if you do something significantly similar to what you do at work, you better be darn careful you aren't making an app that seems like it competes with your dayjob, or you will get sued hard.
    there is no perfect solution to this.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      Nah, I'm with you. I wouldn't want to risk it.

    • @ted2091
      @ted2091 Před 27 dny

      In that sense, it would perhaps be better to build your way up the ladder in your day job, it's less risky than starting a new company, and you have better chances of success.

  • @gshard14
    @gshard14 Před měsícem +1

    After that app hits the market, the chances of that failing (not being used by a lot a people) or AI replacing is too high compared to some other business like a restaurant for example. If a man can do it in 30 min with experience, a person with no experience can do it in maybe a week in worst case. Too much competition.

  • @tdostilio
    @tdostilio Před 28 dny

    Your last comment on finding a job that aligns with your side project -- doesn't that get close to the line of violating "Do Not Compete" clauses that many of us have with our employers? If we go out and launch a project or app that shares a lot of similarities with what we worked on that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před 28 dny

      It might, yeah. I wouldn't want to risk it by serving the same market my company does. To me that's what competing means, not use of the same technologies and techniques.

  • @vladimirkraus1438
    @vladimirkraus1438 Před měsícem +1

    Why did not they launch it publicly? Because the same app is already published by at least 100 other developers and none of them made a penny... :)

  • @uditshaw5052
    @uditshaw5052 Před měsícem

    Rightly said

  • @6ilberm
    @6ilberm Před měsícem +1

    I am a game developer I struggle with this exact dame issue, my attention had never been great.... And well while i do my job stellarly once i'm done with the 8 hour shift the will to work on personal projects is not really there... And also when i've tried gollowing other family members advice to watch work on it during the day while i have no takss my work output gets diminished... It foes seem like attention is a limited faily resource... What do you guys recommend I should do to improve on this?

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      Still looking for that stamina myself 😭 It's gotten a little easier over the years but not much

  • @That_Guy_You_Know
    @That_Guy_You_Know Před měsícem +3

    You can't just launch apps, you are right, you need product-market fit, sales, marketing, etc etc etc.
    It feels like a catch-22 where like you have to go and learn all of the buisness stuff (mainly marketing and sales) and by doing so you are not keeping up and expanding your technical skills.
    It's doable ofc, many have done it, to your other points if you have a family at home and other responsibilities... It's just to much.

    • @ted2091
      @ted2091 Před 27 dny

      n the end, there’s always luck involved in finding a suitable problem, finding the right people to work with, and ensuring that the timing is right. Building a successful app isn't a one-man job, or at least your chances aren't high by going down that road.

  • @kumar_sanjeevdutta1069
    @kumar_sanjeevdutta1069 Před měsícem

    You talked on a nice and important topic, for me at least, thank you ❤❤

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you for the kind feedback, Sir, it means a lot!

  • @TonyDaExpert
    @TonyDaExpert Před měsícem

    Making a successful app is 90% having a good idea, sales and marketing 10% about how good you can program. The sad part is if you have a successful idea you are better off hiring someone to code it for you, if you make your own app its better as a learning experience for yourself.

    • @j0gi
      @j0gi Před měsícem

      1. You have to have enough money to make them interested in working on your idea 2. if they catch a whiff of it being the early stages of your idea they can request a large cut of the compensation - larger than you're willing to part with, or at worst, just straight up steal your idea. Ideas are a dime a dozen, execution is everything.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +1

      Agree 100% that coding is a small part of an app's success. I'd still be scared to hire it out though, just because so many changes need to be made to the codebase after it's released

  • @albertmagician8613
    @albertmagician8613 Před měsícem

    What are those apps you are talking about?

  • @thelongboat831
    @thelongboat831 Před měsícem

    i have 3 aps released none of them are making me money =[

  • @thetechdad87
    @thetechdad87 Před měsícem +1

    These are good points brother.
    I have the business skills let me know how I can help

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem

      I'd love to collab, let's do it sometime!

    • @maxx1337
      @maxx1337 Před měsícem +1

      Hey man I just checked your channel and I gotta say very nice videos. What I wanted to ask was, do you know about any perhaps SAAS problems people need solved? I desperately want to work on some product people will need but I just can't find something good to work on. Can you maybe help me out with finding something?

  • @probablism9773
    @probablism9773 Před 21 dnem

    All of my Minimally Viable Products are maximally minimal :)

  • @mindfulmusings199
    @mindfulmusings199 Před měsícem

    Good idea

  • @eskii2
    @eskii2 Před měsícem

    The work required to build something that someone is willing to enough pay is, more often than not, not worth it.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem

      I agree, even if it takes a long time and there's hiccups along the way.

  • @bugra320
    @bugra320 Před měsícem +2

    Folks instead preferring to be a youtuber, tiktoker, twitch streamer. Seems like it has more money with less work

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem

      Crazy thing is, I spend more time on CZcams than small apps myself, so I wonder why even build a small app.

    • @adamoreilly6546
      @adamoreilly6546 Před měsícem

      @@BigStupidTechbarrier to entry is lower with videos and there’s still enough of a demand to get super wealthy from apps

  • @cas818028
    @cas818028 Před měsícem

    Nailed it

  • @aberba
    @aberba Před měsícem +3

    I get distracted by other ideas and lose interest in current after pouring yrs into it😅

  • @jlcard
    @jlcard Před měsícem

    Cool video, i am a coder, let me know if you would like to collaborate on an app, or if you might be interested in see if we can be good fit for a co-founder

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem

      Thanks! Subbing you, I'll definitely keep that in mind going forward!

  • @JeremyCaron
    @JeremyCaron Před měsícem

    You need an idea first...

  • @dadlord689
    @dadlord689 Před měsícem

    I am barely using apps. They are quite useless. More useful than web crap, but overall other than CZcams and messengers - I don't need anything. Makes me question what was the point of buying a smartphone.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem

      That is an existential problem for us as developers 😟

    • @dadlord689
      @dadlord689 Před měsícem +1

      @@BigStupidTech ahah, yeah. I am looking to make some game as it has less existential limitations) Fun is good enough reason for something to exist.

    • @ted2091
      @ted2091 Před 27 dny

      Sometimes building an app is in of itself useless, it just adds more complexity when solving a problem that could've easily been solved with a website. And with a website you don't need people to download it, nor comply with Google and Apple's regulations, which are just more barriers to entry.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před 26 dny

      @@ted2091 I agree with mobile apps. I'm only starting with web apps going forward

    • @dadlord689
      @dadlord689 Před 25 dny

      @@ted2091 I can't even justify they connection to internet in most use cases. Even for social networks I would just fetch and push content time to time yet be able to check it out without internet. Web is all about stupid ads that shows me stuff I'll never buy. Like I hate ads to the point where I would not buy thing I have seen in ads when I'll look for similar product. Not reminding you about that tracking insanity. Browser has you and your machine, not otherwise.

  • @Scott_Stone
    @Scott_Stone Před měsícem +1

    Isn't your recommendation illegal? I'm sure there is clause in contract about using the knowledge from your work elsewhere while you're still working there.

    • @benitocanfora7667
      @benitocanfora7667 Před měsícem +3

      Nope. He's not saying "steal insider infos and exploit in your own product", he simply said to do something similar so that you train capabilities that are useful even outside of work.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před měsícem +2

      I guess I never thought about that because I've never worked on the same business capabilities for personal projects. I have learned math on the clock, but I could have learned that anywhere.

    • @midnightfuture
      @midnightfuture Před měsícem +1

      It’s not *illegal*. What you are referring to is breach of contract, but the contract itself may be illegal! It is one thing for an employer to demand exclusivity for its own product domain, including for some time after departure; it is another entirely to preclude you from ANY other application of your skills.
      Lastly, non-compete clauses are not enforceable in every state. In all matters of law, I recommend consulting a lawyer.

  • @carriagereturned3974
    @carriagereturned3974 Před 26 dny

    Fact that you are working as a programmer shows that you are (was) incapable to write "killer app". May be you WILL. Haha, good luck.

    • @BigStupidTech
      @BigStupidTech  Před 25 dny

      Nah, it's true.. I wouldn't stick around at a job if I hit it big

  • @harshchaudhary9244
    @harshchaudhary9244 Před měsícem +1

    What's your twitter?