Here is where our journey begins, as Walt Whitman once said, “Afoot and lighthearted, I take to the open road…”. Here, there is of course no road, but a desk, a laptop and some sticky notes. It’s here that our adventure begins.
Now, before we get into the meatiness of designing, there is a lot to get through. Arguably, the most important part of any development project is the planning phase, and boy are we big on it at Arch.
In this update, we’ll be planning basic elements of the app using the AI tool Chat GPT. Here, we’ll need to plan out the likes of our core concept, the audience and use case of the application.
Let’s jump in.
The Lay of the Land
In order to work out the basics, we’ll need to identify a problem, or an underserved audience we can assist with our app, and of course, we’ll want our app to be successful, so we’ll need to take market potential into consideration. It is worth mentioning that at this point we’re working with the free version of Chat GPT, so while some of the information will be old, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue..
To get started, I asked Chat GPT 3 questions.
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Which generation uses paid mobile apps the most by percentage?
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What are the most popular categories of apps in the app store and google play stores?
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Which are the most profitable app categories on the apple app store and google play store?
Let’s check out the answers:
1: Generations vs. Paid Apps
Younger generations, specifically Millennials and Generation Z, tend to use paid mobile apps more frequently than older generations, according to available data. These generations, born between the early 1980s and the mid-2000s, are more comfortable with technology and are active users of mobile platforms. They are more willing to spend money on apps, especially for gaming, entertainment, social media, and productivity purposes.
Generation X, born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, also engages with mobile apps but is slightly less likely to purchase paid apps compared to younger generations.
Baby Boomers, born between the mid-1940s and mid-1960s, have been slower in adopting mobile apps and are less inclined to spend money on them.
However, individual preferences can vary, and these trends may change as technology and app usage evolve over time.
2: Popularity
As of September 2021, the most popular app categories on the App Store (iOS) include games, social networking, entertainment, and utilities. Games cover various genres, while social networking apps like Facebook and Instagram are widely used. Entertainment apps encompass streaming services, music, and video-sharing platforms. Utility apps offering tools and functionalities are also popular.
On the Google Play Store (Android), communication apps like WhatsApp, tools such as file managers and antivirus software, social media apps, and games are highly sought after. It's important to note that app popularity can change over time, so it's recommended to check the current rankings in the respective app stores for the latest information.
3: Profitability
Certain app categories have historically been profitable on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, although profitability can vary based on factors such as user demand, monetization strategies, and market trends.
On the Apple App Store, games generate significant revenue through in-app purchases, subscriptions, and advertisements. Entertainment apps, health and fitness apps, and productivity apps are also known to be profitable.
Similarly, on the Google Play Store, games, social networking apps, finance apps, and health and fitness apps have proven to be lucrative. App profitability depends on factors like user engagement, effective monetization strategies, and retaining an active user base. Thorough research of the target audience, market conditions, and monetization options is crucial for maximising app profitability.
Let’s expand
Okay, let’s spin up some reasoning here. Based on the above, a game aimed at Gen Z has the potential for good profit, alongside decent popularity. But, we don’t really develop games at Arch, and I’m not much of a mobile gamer myself, so I feel like we’d be starting off on the back foot.
A much better combination, in my opinion, is some kind of social media platform for Gen Z and millennials. Let’s take a look at what ideas Chat GPT can spit out for us.
Prompt: “I want to develop a social media mobile app aimed at Gen Z and Millennials. Provide me with 5 examples of new social media platforms that could be developed which have little market competition”
Response “Certainly! Here are five examples of new social media platform ideas that could be developed with little market competition, targeting Gen Z and Millennials:
Localised Community Network: A social media platform that focuses on connecting individuals within specific local communities or neighbourhoods. Users can discover and engage with people nearby, find local events, share recommendations, and build connections within their immediate vicinity. This platform could foster a sense of belonging and facilitate local interactions in a digital space.
Skills and Knowledge Sharing Platform: A social media platform designed for users to share and learn skills from one another. It could provide a platform for users to showcase their expertise, offer tutorials or workshops, and connect with others who are interested in learning new skills. The platform could cover a wide range of topics, such as cooking, coding, art, or personal finance.
Positive Impact Network: A social media platform that focuses on promoting and celebrating positive actions, community initiatives, and social impact projects. Users can share their stories of making a difference, connect with like-minded individuals, and discover opportunities to contribute to causes they care about. This platform could inspire and empower users to take part in creating a better world.
Interactive Storytelling Platform: A social media platform that combines elements of storytelling, creativity, and community interaction. Users can create and share interactive stories using multimedia content such as text, images, videos, and polls. The platform allows users to engage with stories, make choices that shape the narrative, and collaborate with others to co-create immersive storytelling experiences.
Eco-conscious Lifestyle Network: A social media platform centred around sustainable living and eco-conscious choices. It provides a space for users to share eco-friendly tips, discover eco-conscious brands and products, and connect with individuals who are passionate about living a sustainable lifestyle. The platform could include features like eco-challenges, sustainable product reviews, and discussions on environmental topics.
Prompt: Based on your previous response, which of these options (1-5) has the potential to be the most successful.
Response (summarised):
Skills and Knowledge Sharing Platform: A social media platform that facilitates skill sharing and learning. This option taps into the growing interest in self-improvement, personal development, and acquiring new skills. It can cater to the desire for continuous learning among Gen Z and Millennials, who often value practical knowledge and seek opportunities for personal growth.
By providing a platform where users can showcase their expertise, offer tutorials, and connect with others interested in learning new skills, this platform can leverage the passion for lifelong learning and foster a vibrant community of learners. It has the potential to attract a diverse user base and promote engagement through knowledge exchange and collaboration.
People, we have a concept!
Let’s develop this a bit further before we wrap up for the week.
The way of the question
From reading through a few articles online, I was able to point to a commonality in the way questions are being asked of chat GPT, in relation to the accuracy and validity of the response.
Those with the highest rates of success have 2 elements, for the sake of this blog, we’ll call them the ‘descriptor’ and ‘request’:
The descriptor:
This is a short 3 sentence paragraph anchored to the majority of questions that provides context to the AI. The sentences have a clear structure:
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Sentence 1 gives core information about the project concisely. It typically reads as something like the following: “I am a startup company developing a new line of dog treats for millennial pet owners who value organic ingredients.”
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Sentence 2 acts as an isolator or a set of bounds for the project. In this case, “Our foods will be available in the UK and European Union markets”.
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Sentence 3 is a summary of reasoning: “Millennial dog owners spend more on their pets than any other demographic, and are responsible for growing demand in this market.”
The request:
This section is typically 1 sentence, I’m not too sure exactly why that is, but it could have something to do with the nuances in meaning that can come from adding full stops. At this stage of the project, we’d be asking base level questions to find generalised information, but let’s use an existing prompt for ease:
“Help me write the products and services section of my business plan, covering the problem that our business solves for our customers and what we plan on offering in the future”
Finding our competition
Let’s apply this to our new found concept, and see if we can find some basic competitor analysis to help validate the idea.
Prompt: I am a new tech start-up, developing a mobile app that allows users to host skill sharing classes, share tips and tricks and develop skills with like-minded people. Our app will be available in all regions, on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Our app is aimed at Millenials and Gen Z owing to their desire for personal growth and skills development. Write a summary of the competitor analysis section of my business plan for this start-up.
Response:
In the competitive landscape of skill sharing and personal development apps, it is essential to understand the existing players in the market. The following competitor analysis provides insights into the key competitors in the industry and their offerings:
SkillShare: SkillShare is a popular online learning platform that offers a wide range of classes on various topics, including creative arts, design, business, and technology. They have a large user base and offer both free and premium subscription plans. SkillShare's strengths lie in their extensive course catalogue and established brand presence.
Udemy: Udemy is a leading online learning platform that provides access to thousands of courses taught by experts. They offer courses on diverse subjects, including business, programming, marketing, and personal development. Udemy's strengths include their vast course selection, user-friendly interface, and global reach.
Coursera: Coursera is an online education platform that partners with top universities and institutions to offer courses, certifications, and degree programs. They focus on providing high-quality, structured courses designed by renowned educators. Coursera's strengths lie in their prestigious partnerships, verified certifications, and comprehensive learning experience.
LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning, formerly known as Lynda.com, is a professional development platform that offers video courses taught by industry experts. It focuses on skill development for careers, covering topics such as leadership, software development, and project management. LinkedIn Learning's strengths include their integration with the LinkedIn professional network and their reputation as a trusted source for career-related learning.
Meetup: Meetup is a social networking platform that connects people with shared interests and facilitates in-person meetings and events. While not solely focused on skill sharing, Meetup provides an avenue for like-minded individuals to connect and learn from each other in various fields. Its strengths lie in its community-building features and the opportunity for face-to-face interactions.
In entering this competitive landscape, our startup aims to differentiate itself by providing a user-friendly and engaging mobile app that offers a comprehensive platform for hosting skill sharing classes, sharing tips and tricks, and fostering skills development among Millennials and Gen Z. By focusing on a mobile-first approach and offering a diverse range of skill categories, we aim to attract and engage our target audience.
Our competitive advantage will be centred around the app's intuitive user interface, personalised recommendations, social networking features, and the ability to connect with like-minded individuals. Additionally, we will leverage our global availability on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to reach a wide audience.
To succeed in this market, our startup will continually monitor and adapt to evolving trends, invest in user acquisition and engagement strategies, forge partnerships with industry experts, and ensure a seamless user experience. Regular updates, community engagement, and targeted marketing efforts will be key to gaining a competitive edge and establishing ourselves as a go-to platform for skill sharing and personal growth among Millennials and Gen Z.
Let’s quickly validate this, all of these services listed are active, and well known. Interestingly, I wouldn’t have identified meetup as a direct competitor to our product, but it makes complete sense. The takeaway here, I suppose, is that responses, when requested correctly through well structured prompts can not only surprise you, but provide vital structure to logical question asking and reasoning when developing your idea.
I appreciate this has been a bit of a long one, so let’s summarise this with a good old TLDR.
TLDR
This week, we set out our initial concept for the app. Based on some surface level analysis, we identified that Millenials and Gen Z should be our target market, owing to their potential to engage with and pay for digital services and content. Our concept revolves around skill sharing with a community feel, no high pressure corporate courses here, just good old fashioned communal learning.
We looked at how to ask the right questions, and get accurate answers. This allowed us to identify potential competitors in the space including Skillshare, Udemy, Coursera, Linkedin Learning and Meetup. The response also gave us a few key areas for exploration including UI/UX, building in community and social media elements to the app, and improving the diversity of skills on offer.