Want to make an app but don’t know where to start? Here’s a game plan

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If you’re like me, then you probably have a new app idea about every month. However, if you’ve never made an app before, it can be a little daunting trying to get it from conception to reality.

The beauty of the modern mobile landscape is that you don’t even have to know how to code to become an app creator. Sure it helps, but you shouldn’t let your lack of programming knowledge keep your ideas on the ground. If you want to see your app take flight, here is a simple game plan.

Talk about it

Most people don’t think about this step, but it’s absolutely essential for you to share your ideas with those around you. Having someone respond with, “That’s a great idea!” or “I would totally use that,” can go a long way in terms of motivation.

Discussing your ideas with like-minded peers may also give you insight into ways you can improve on your concept.

Furthermore, studies have proven that if you tell people you’re going to do something, you’re far more likely to actually go through with it. That’s why life coaches advise their clients to share their goals with their friends and family, and why people who publicly announce their New Year’s resolutions are drastically more likely to see them through.

Consider outsourcing

You don’t have to know how to code to become an app creator. There are thousands of freelance programmers and professional developers out there just itching to help you bring your app to life.

Outsourcing can be complicated, however. Finding the right coder for the job is crux, and if you’re a perfectionist, you might be frustrated if the app doesn’t come out exactly as you mention it. Cost is also a factor, as a programmer’s time isn’t cheap.

However, if you’ve got some money lying around and don’t mind ceding creative control over the project to someone else, outsourcing is an extremely viable option.

Teach yourself

If you do want full control over your app – or if you want to become the kind of guy that people pay to build apps – then it’s never been easier to learn how to code online. Many sites offer comprehensive courses with video lectures, coding exercises, and content kits that can bring you from total code-less novice to professional app creator in as little as 5 weeks. Java really isn’t that difficult to self-teach, but the initial learning curve turns away a lot of people who aren’t familiar with the basics of programming.

The downside to this option is that these courses are often prohibitively expensive, costing anywhere from $150 to $300. You also need to have the self-discipline to actually sit down and do the work.

Fortunately, if you pay attention, you can occasionally snag promotional discounts for these online classes. For example, there’s a $190 comprehensive Android & Java developer course that’s currently going for $15 on Udemy right now, and it walks you through building 21 increasingly complex apps. No previous coding experience necessary.

Learning how to code is the best way to have full control over your vision of your app, and it’s really not as difficult as most people think.

Finish what you start

Most importantly, you have to finish what you start. Good ideas are a kind of brain crack that you can easily get addicted to. As long as your awesome idea stays in your head, it can always be this beautiful perfect thing that no one can ever criticize… but they’ll also never get to use it.

Once you quit on something, it’ll be all the easier to quit on the next thing, and the next thing. Whether your idea is just a silly game or a complicated productivity app, it’s better to finish it even if the completed product isn’t perfect.

Finish your app. Then start on your next one. This time with more experience.

If you want to take advantage of that 92% discounted Udemy course, click the button below or use the promo code ANDROIDA15 when checking out. It’s 203 lectures spanning 28 hours of video, and it’s designed to be completed in about 5 weeks. All this for $15, and you’ll get lifetime access to all course materials.

This offer is only valid until September 13, and then it will return to its usual $190 price. Don’t miss out on this chance to finally make that app you’ve been sitting on!

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