Simplifying Commercial Software Development?

NerdOfPrey writes "I'm nearing completion of development and testing of my first self-produced commercial application, but just beginning to appreciate the full bevy of other associated tasks ahead. There are help files to compile, end user license agreements to write, a website to create - and a secure online payment system to identify and integrate, automated installers to build, logos to design, marketing, and so on. Are there any good web-based single sources of information covering these sorts of issues? I've never had to do all of these things myself in the past; a comprehensive 'small developers guide' would be of considerable benefit." So is there anything besides "imitate, guess and pray" for all the tasks that come after the app is written?

Comments

regarding the website....

[jeffy124]

You mentioned a website to be developed. One of best pieces of advice i've heard regarding websites (iirc, it was from the useit.com guy) - people (aka, customers) spend their most of their time on other websites. In other words, dont do anything that's out of the ordinary.

One way to do this is to identify a competitor of yours, check out their site. Make notes of what's good and what's bad about it, and what you can do to improve upon the bad.

what do you mean by commercial?

[edalytical]

Do you mean retail software or shareware?

I can tell you a thing or two about shareware, but not retail software. When I was getting started with my shareware biz I had to wing it. I have learned a lot, though.

Recently I found a site called Software Marketing Resource. It seems to be a comprehensive guide. There is also a good O'Reilly article on macdevcenter.com called The Do's and Don'ts of Shareware. It is Mac oriented, but the same principals can be applied to any platform. Make sure you read all three parts.

By far the most difficult thing for me has been finding contacts to send press releases, and then sending them. Tedious and nerve racking.

Building a business once you have a product

[datGSguy]

This I hope will help with the larger picture you hint at beyond ecommerce. The easy answer is, there is not an easy answer. At least, not one I have ever found. I have personally started a number of ventures, and once you have a product, all the hats change.

The suggestion I always make to people, is write a simple business plan, even if you never show another soul. Creating a plan points out where the holes are that need filling. Below is a simple outline I often start with, just start with a paragraph about each item. It is written from a funding search point of view, but this is a good place for everyone to start as the people with the money often ask the right question. Business Plan Outline

Give a detailed description of the business and its goals.

Discuss the ownership of the business and the legal structure.

List the skills and experience you bring to the business.

Discuss the advantages you and your business have over your competitors.

Discuss the products/services offered.

Identify the customer demand for your product/service.

Identify your market, its size and locations.

Explain how your product/service will be advertised and marketed.

Explain the pricing strategy.

Financial Management

Explain your source and the amount of initial equity capital.

Develop a monthly operating budget for the first year.

Develop an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the first year.

Provide projected income statements and balance sheets for a two year period.

Discuss your break even point.

Explain your personal balance sheet and method of compensation.

Discuss who will maintain your accounting records and how they will be kept.

Provide "what if" statements that address alternative approaches to any problem that may develop.

Operations

Explain how the business will be managed on a day to day basis.

Discuss hiring and personnel procedures.

Discuss insurance, lease or rent agreements, and issues pertinent to your business.

Account for the equipment necessary to produce your products or services.

Account for production and delivery of products and services.

Concluding Statement

Summarize your business goals and objectives and express your commitment to the success of your business.

Once you have completed a draft of your business plan, review it with a friend or business associate or the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) or the Small Business Administration (SBA). They will give you all the other information you will most likley need.

No-hoper

[hopethishelps]

This guy doesn't know which way is up.

He says he's a go-it-alone commercial developer and he hasn't a merketing plan? Well, he won't make that mistake again.

He says he's "nearing completion of development and testing", and he hasn't got any help files compiled yet? Sounds like he's not ready to start final testing.

It's so easy for somebody to write some code and kid himself he's starting a viable business. Probably happens somewhere every week. I don't know why /. eds though it was worth a story, though.

ASP

[BortQ]

The Association of Shareware Professions has loads of good info in and around its website. There are member-only newsgroups that are also very useful. It costs $100/year to be a member, but if you are planning to make a business out of it it is well worth it.