How To: Make Money from Free iPhone Apps

How To: Make Money from Free iPhone Apps:
With total app downloads from App Store topping ten billion, the marketplace for iPhone apps is booming. But, there is a mighty lot of competition, even for experienced developers. Developers can’t make a profitable app just with a good idea. After the designing and programming, there is a lot of work. If a developer plans well, he can make money, even with a free app. Some may think free apps are a waste of time, but they can definitely help people to make money. These tips can help you gain profit through your free iPhone app.



Portfolio: A good portfolio is a must to shine in the field of iPhone app development. If you are new to the field, it would be a great way to showcase your skills and let others know that you are fully capable of developing quality iPhone apps. So, free apps help attract new clients for your app development business.
Trial Versions: You may have noticed free “lite” versions of popular apps in the App Store. These lite versions can boost the sales of paid versions. It is an extremely effective idea for cheap, addictive games. If your app is really good and you let people get a taste of it, then they would happily purchase the full paid version. Some developers offer the first version for free to generate a base. If users like your app, they won’t mind buying an updated version in the future.
Earn through ads: This is the popular trend in the App Store for free apps. It can be extremely lucrative if your app has enough downloads. You can find a lot of services to get ads for your app. Some paid apps too are earning money through the advertisements. But generally users don’t like an app that makes them pay and disturbs their entertainment with ads.
Creating a base: If you want to promote your service or products, building a free iPhone app is a great way to achieve it. Few years back, people used websites for branding. Now with websites, apps also help build a brand identity.
Subscription model: Generally newsstands and magazine apps follow this method. You can give the app at free of cost, but to get a magazine, users have to pay. To promote your app, you can also offer some free magazines.
So, free apps can definitely generate income, if you know how to use them.