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Charles Du

Have a great app idea? Now what? Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could instantly turn that app idea into a real money-making app and launch it everywhere in the world? Apple has paid out over $15 billion dollars to app creators and there are tens of thousands of people building apps right now around the world.

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Have a great app idea? Now what? Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could instantly turn that app idea into a real money-making app and launch it everywhere in the world? Apple has paid out over $15 billion dollars to app creators and there are tens of thousands of people building apps right now around the world.

I designed this class specifically for people that have an idea for an app but don’t have a technical background. You’ll learn how to create an app without having to do the coding yourself. I’ll teach you how to find a technical cofounder and how to outsource your project for cheap. You’ll learn the right way to write an app product spec so you don’t have to waste thousands of dollars doing rework with your developers.

I’ve designed dozens of blockbuster apps for organizations like NASA, Ticketmaster, and Live Nation, and some of these apps have millions of users and bring in millions of dollars every day. I was also recruited to work for Apple where I helped them scout out high-potential apps and mentored 3rd party app teams. Because I’ve been an Apple insider, the knowledge and wisdom that I’ll share with you won’t be available anywhere else. You’ll learn the 5 key ingredients that Apple look for in a great app so you can greatly increase your chances of getting featured on the app store front page and learn the main reasons why apps get rejected so you know how to avoid those landmines.

I’ve taught dozens of workshops and courses for prestigious institutions like Stanford University, Art Center College of Design, and General Assembly and have launched a few online classes on Udemy with over 3,000 students enrolled from all over the world. And you can tell how much value I’ve given my students by the hundreds of 5 star ratings and satisfied reviews left by my students. I pour my heart and soul into every class I teach.

I also look at the discussion forums every single day and will answer whatever question you might have so I’ll be there learning with you every step of the way.

Enroll now and let’s turn your dream app idea into reality.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to find a technical cofounder
  • Understand what's different about creating an ios app vs android app
  • Know the 5 key ingredients to great apps
  • Learn the 3 ways to make money
  • Learn the main reasons why apple reject apps
  • Learn how to outsource a technical project
  • Find and vet developers from online job boards
  • Avoid the common pitfalls of contracting
  • Discover the secret method behind how apple creates laser-focused products
  • Analyze the market landscape, discover weaknesses in your competitors, spots trends that will hyper-grow your product
  • Use popular product management tools like pivotal tracker and axure
  • Quickly test and validate your product idea over a weekend
  • Test developers with small amounts of investment before committing to them
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction
How to Navigate this Course
iOS App or Android App?
Ingredient 1 of Great Apps - Innovative
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches how to create an app without coding, which is ideal for entrepreneurs and innovators with limited technical expertise
Explores product management tools like Pivotal Tracker and Axure, which are used in the software development industry
Covers how to test and validate app ideas quickly, which helps learners avoid wasting time and resources on unviable projects
Examines the reasons why apps get rejected from the App Store, which helps learners avoid common pitfalls and increase their chances of acceptance
Discusses how to find and vet developers from online job boards, which is useful for those who plan to outsource their app development
Includes a SWOT analysis exercise, which helps learners understand the market landscape and identify opportunities for their app

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Reviews summary

App store guide for non-technical founders

According to learners, this course provides an excellent framework for anyone with an app idea but no technical background, covering the crucial steps from concept to launch without requiring coding skills. Students found the content on validating ideas, finding technical partners or outsourcing, and understanding the product development process particularly helpful. Many appreciated the practical advice and insights from an Apple insider regarding what makes a great app and avoiding rejection from the App Store. The course is seen as a comprehensive guide that gives clear direction and helps turn nebulous ideas into actionable steps.
Instructor responsiveness in discussions.
"The instructor was very active in the discussion forums, answering questions promptly."
"I appreciated the instructor's willingness to engage and provide further clarification."
"The promise of the instructor checking forums daily seemed to hold true, which is a big plus."
"Access to the instructor's expertise through the Q&A was a valuable part of the learning experience."
Valuable perspective from an Apple insider.
"Getting the perspective of what Apple looks for in apps and why they reject them was incredibly insightful."
"The 'insider' tips on what makes an app great felt unique and very relevant to success on the App Store."
"Understanding the Apple perspective helps tailor the app concept for better chances of acceptance and featuring."
"The instructor's experience at Apple added a lot of credibility and unique value to the course content."
Covers the entire journey from idea to launch.
"This course covers the entire app development process from idea conception right through to submitting to the App Store."
"It's a complete roadmap, touching on market analysis, product design, finding help, and launch strategy."
"I appreciated how the course connected all the dots in the app creation journey."
"The syllabus gives a thorough overview of everything a non-technical person needs to consider before building."
Provides concrete steps and real-world advice.
"The steps outlined are very practical and can be applied immediately to my own project."
"I loved the focus on validating ideas and testing hypotheses; it saved me a lot of potential wasted effort."
"The advice on writing a product spec was extremely useful and something I hadn't considered in detail before."
"This course gave me the actionable steps I needed to move my idea out of my head and into reality."
Specifically for those without coding skills.
"I have zero technical background and this course gave me a clear path forward for my app idea."
"This is perfect for entrepreneurs who aren't coders but want to understand the full process."
"As someone non-technical, I found the strategies for outsourcing and working with developers invaluable."
"The course makes the app development process accessible without needing to write a single line of code myself."
Some tools mentioned may not be current standards.
"While the concepts are solid, some of the specific tools mentioned like Axure and Pivotal Tracker feel a bit dated now."
"I wish they had included more current options for wireframing and project management tools."
"The principles are good, but the reliance on certain older software examples makes some parts feel less relevant today."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in From Idea to App Store - A Complete Guide from an  Insider with these activities:
Review iOS vs. Android Differences
Reinforce your understanding of the key differences between iOS and Android app development to make informed decisions about your app's platform.
Browse courses on Android App
Show steps
  • Research the current market share of iOS and Android in your target region.
  • Compare the development costs and timelines for both platforms.
  • Identify the target demographics and their platform preferences.
Review 'The Lean Startup'
Learn about lean startup methodologies to efficiently validate your app idea and minimize wasted effort.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries.
  • Identify the core principles of the Lean Startup methodology.
  • Apply these principles to your app idea and develop a plan for validation.
Create a Competitive Analysis Report
Deepen your understanding of the market landscape by conducting a thorough competitive analysis of existing apps in your niche.
Show steps
  • Identify at least three competing apps in your target market.
  • Analyze their features, pricing, and user reviews.
  • Identify their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Document your findings in a structured report.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Wireframe Prototype
Solidify your understanding of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design by creating a wireframe prototype of your app.
Show steps
  • Choose a wireframing tool such as Axure or Figma.
  • Design the key screens of your app, focusing on functionality and usability.
  • Create an interactive prototype to simulate the user flow.
  • Test your prototype with potential users and gather feedback.
Review 'Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products'
Learn how to design habit-forming features into your app to increase user engagement and retention.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Hooked' by Nir Eyal.
  • Understand the Hook Model and its four phases.
  • Identify opportunities to apply the Hook Model to your app.
Create a Product Demo Video
Develop your marketing skills and showcase your app idea by creating a compelling product demo video.
Show steps
  • Plan the script and storyboard for your video.
  • Record the video using screen recording software or a camera.
  • Edit the video to create a polished and engaging presentation.
  • Share your video on social media and gather feedback.
Follow Advanced Axure Tutorials
Enhance your wireframing skills by exploring advanced features and techniques in Axure.
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on advanced Axure features like dynamic panels and adaptive views.
  • Follow the tutorials and practice implementing the techniques.
  • Incorporate these techniques into your wireframe prototype.

Career center

Learners who complete From Idea to App Store - A Complete Guide from an  Insider will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Mobile Application Developer
A Mobile Application Developer designs, develops, and implements applications for mobile devices. This individual also focuses on user experience and ensures that applications are optimized for performance and usability. This course helps you understand the key ingredients that Apple looks for in a great app, which certainly helps a mobile application developer understand app design. Learning the main reasons why apps get rejected also helps the mobile application developer avoid common pitfalls. The course also covers how to make beautiful wireframes and prototypes, skills that the mobile application developer finds valuable.
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for the strategy, roadmap, and feature definition of a product or product line. This course may be helpful to develop skills that include analyzing the market landscape, discovering weaknesses in competitors, and spotting trends that will hyper-grow a product. A product manager must be able to test and validate your product ideas. This course helps you test your product hypothesis by designing experiments, smoke selling, making a product demo video, and using the concierge method. A product manager can benefit from learning from this course.
Startup Founder
A Startup Founder is responsible for launching and scaling a new company. This role is similar to that of an entrepreneur but often implies a technology-focused venture. This course helps you understand the ingredients of great apps, learn how to make money from apps, and how to test and validate your app idea. A startup founder may find it useful to learn from the course how to test by smoke selling and making a product demo video. This course can help founders understand the market landscape.
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer focuses on making products and technologies easy and pleasurable to use. This role involves user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, and conducting user testing. This course helps you build empathy by making personas and empathy maps. User experience designers create interactive prototypes for product ideas. This course helps you learn how to wireframe. A user experience designer may find this course useful because they learn how apps can be made intuitive through user testing.
Mobile Product Designer
A Mobile Product Designer specializes in the visual and interactive design of mobile applications. A mobile product designer needs to know how to create beautiful and intuitive mobile app interfaces. A designer would find value in knowing the key ingredients for app design as well as the top reasons why apps get rejected, which are discussed in this course. Mobile product designers seek to build empathy to relate to their users. This course helps you build empathy by making personas.
Entrepreneur
An Entrepreneur identifies a need and launches a business to fill it. This individual is responsible for all aspects of the business, from ideation to execution. This course discusses ingredients of great apps, finding market fit, and how to test and validate your app idea. It may be useful to understand how Apple creates laser-focused products. The course also presents common mistakes when making personas. Aspiring entrepreneurs might want to take this course.
Technology Consultant
A Technology Consultant advises clients on how to use technology to meet their business needs, improve processes, and increase efficiency. This course helps one analyze the market landscape. A consultant can discover weaknesses in their client's competitors and spot trends that will hyper-grow their product. This course also may be useful to learn what is different about creating an iOS app versus an Android app. Learning the top reasons why apps get rejected can help a consultant advise their clients.
Software Architect
A Software Architect makes high-level design choices and dictates technical standards, including software coding standards, tools, and platforms. In this course, you can learn the difference between creating an iOS app versus an Android app. A software architect would benefit from knowing why apps get rejected as well as how Apple creates laser-focused products. As a software architect, knowing the ingredients an app needs to be great helps in the design process. This course may prove beneficial.
Application Project Manager
An Application Project Manager plans, organizes, and oversees the completion of specific projects for an application ensuring these projects are on time, on budget, and within scope. The course may prove useful as it helps one understand what is different about creating an iOS app versus an Android app. As the manager, knowing the ingredients an app needs to be great help in the process. This course teaches the main reasons why apps get rejected, which is essential for the manager to know.
Technical Recruiter
A Technical Recruiter specializes in finding and recruiting candidates with technical skills for various roles within a company. This course covers how to find a technical cofounder and how to outsource your app idea. They would also benefit by learning how to vet developers from online job boards. As a recruiter, knowing the ingredients an app needs to be great helps in the evaluation process. Taking this course may prove beneficial to becoming a more effective technical recruiter.
Information Architect
An Information Architect organizes and structures content in a way that is intuitive and accessible for users. An architect may benefit from learning the secret method behind how Apple creates laser-focused products. This individual can accelerate product growth by spotting key trends. This role relies on learning how to test and validate your product idea. The course can help one learn the common mistakes when making personas. The information architect may benefit from understanding the market landscape.
Digital Strategist
A Digital Strategist develops and implements digital marketing strategies to achieve business goals; this includes app promotion. Digital Strategists analyze the market landscape, discover weaknesses in competitors, and spot trends that will hyper-grow your product. This course may be useful as it covers testing and validating product ideas. Digital strategists use competitive analysis to make products stand out. This course should prove useful.
Digital Marketing Manager
A Digital Marketing Manager develops, implements, and manages digital marketing campaigns that promote a company and its products or services, which may include a mobile app. A digital marketing manager can benefit from understanding the 3 ways to make money from apps. The course also covers testing and validating product ideas. Further, they can accelerate product growth by spotting key trends. This course can help one understand the main reasons why apps get rejected.
Product Marketing Manager
A Product Marketing Manager is responsible for the marketing and promotion of a specific product or product line. This course helps you analyze the market landscape, discover weaknesses in competitors, and spot trends that will hyper-grow a product. A product marketing manager should find it useful to learn how to test and validate your product idea. This course may be useful as it discusses sizing up the market and managing a feature backlog.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst analyzes an organization's business domain, documenting its business processes and systems, and assessing the business model and its integration with technology. This course can help a business analyst test and validate product ideas. They would learn how to test a product hypothesis by designing experiments. As they will make presentations, the business analyst can benefit from knowing app design principles such as the key ingredients to look for in great apps.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in From Idea to App Store - A Complete Guide from an  Insider.
Provides a framework for validating product ideas and building a minimum viable product (MVP). It is highly relevant to the course as it emphasizes testing and validating app ideas before investing significant resources. The book's principles align with the course's focus on lean product design and market validation. It offers practical guidance on how to iterate quickly and efficiently based on customer feedback.
Explores the psychology behind habit formation and provides a framework for designing products that users will want to use repeatedly. Given the course's emphasis on creating 'delightful' and 'connected' apps, this book offers valuable insights into how to increase user engagement and retention. It provides a practical model for building habit-forming features into your app.

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