How to succeed the App Store? Interview with the developer of the application "Sending"

Program with a simple and concise name "Sending" needs no introduction. On MacRadar pages written about it was not, but a known application costs for those who often orders any goods from abroad. Describe the advantages of Parcel I am not going, ratings in the iTunes App Store and speak for themselves. Much more interesting would be to communicate with the creator of such popular applications.
Our questions kindly agreed to answer Ivan Pavlov - the application developer "Sending" .I rarely buy anything at online stores in other countries, but sometimes it happens that something has attracted, and you just took and I bought. Here and now, when I ordered the product recalled the remarkable Ivan application and decided to write to him.

Ivan, hello!
Hello Dmitry!

Let's move immediately to questions. Tell me, you have been engaged in application development?

I started developing a little over three years ago. Then it all started as a hobby, a keen interest to try to do something interesting and useful. And now it is all the more serious.

A development is for iOS and Mac due to what? Why not Android or Windows Phone, for example?

More to the point, I began to study the development of programs, I have been a Mac user and iOS. I've always loved Apple products and original question was not about the other platforms. As the project "Parcels" thought about the possibility of porting to other platforms were, but they quickly left. It turned out that Apple products are not only convenient to use, but also to develop them under more pleasant than other platforms.

"Closed" Apple ecosystem has its advantages for the developer. No fragmentation, you know exactly how your application will run on all devices. Everything is quite thoughtful and logical. On the other hand, of course, has its drawbacks. The need to wait for 6-7 days testing each update with Apple side programs are sometimes depressing.

How many people in your team is working on an application? In this case, I mean the version for Mac, iOS and Web.

One, and I :)

And how did the idea of ​​creating such an application?

I sincerely believe that you can create a high demand product only if you initially acted not only as a developer, but as a consumer. The case of "parcels" was this: I was looking for a program for tracking shipments. Nothing I have not found suitable in the App Store, so I decided to create a product. I start not from the fact that I need to realize as a developer to get as many downloads, and from what I like to see the program as a user.

What are the advantages you can allocate Parcel compared to competitors?

Any product to be successful, must combine several factors: it's a nice design, ease of use, as well as the availability of adequate functionality. I believe that the "Sending" successfully combines in itself all these factors, without distortions in any one direction. over the past three years, the program has received many upgrades with new features while maintaining the ease of use.

proved how difficult the path from idea to realization conceived?

The question is, what is considered "conceived" :) Many of my friends ask me: "Why do you spend so much time is now to develop the parcels? The program is all already there, what are you even doing? ". In fact, I truly believe that any product can be improved to perfection for a long time. Therefore, until the final realization of the conceived is still far, I still have a lot of plans.

You do not think that users can deter app purchases? People we do not particularly like to pay.

You know, when I'm in the App Store is loaded some game, start to play it, and then every 5 minutes, I offered to buy some crazy app purchases - I just delete it immediately. In app purchases only bad reputation due to the fact that they sometimes abuse developers. By itself, a tool built shopping is very convenient to both developers and users.

And do not think the application fee, removing the in-app?

No, even I thought it was not such. I believe that the user should be able to somehow use the product before you buy it. Make a copy of two different programs, one lite, and the other full - it is, in my opinion, some relic of the past, which has a number of drawbacks. When the product is available only in the paid version, it is likely that the user's expectations of the product does not match with what is on the case.

It is important to strike a balance, the ability to use the program without having to purchase app purchases. In "Parcels" so many free users who are satisfied and they are happy.

Now freemium - a sore point for users. Your application also applies to the subscription (if only for additional functions). Do you think that quickly become obsolete yourself this model or she has still a large untapped potential?

The question is that, is not how much and how often you pay and what you pay for. If you see any product or service, and then see the price for it, then you ask yourself one simple question: Is it worth the money or not. Believe me, I'm much more likely to hear from users reviews like "66 rubles a year on such an application is absolutely not sorry", rather than vice versa.

If we talk about the reasons for the introduction of a subscription, then all is simple. The program does not exist by itself, it has its own server, which require you to pay and service. Letters on users also need to answer, and in fact all of this costs of a permanent nature and not simultaneously. In fact, I think that the subscription - it's a lot better than when paid app suddenly gets a new version, but you have to pay for it again.

Work more on some other projects, apart from the "Parcels"? Perhaps we should expect some new products?

On other projects, unfortunately, very little time. There are certain ideas that I would like to implement, but it is necessary to wait only updates "Parcels" :)

Clearly, thanks! You want something to our readers?

I would like to remember about each user feedback. If you do not like something in the program or have any idea - to write about it to the developer. If you believe that Apple is doing something wrong - too write them. Many people think that their opinion will not be heard, but it is not.

Thank you Ivan! Good luck with your current and future projects!

Application site: http://parcelapp.net
Sending in the App Store (Free)
Sending in the Mac App Store (Free)