Anyone Can Create an App Now. Here’s How to Truly Profit from Them - Side Hustle Nation

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      Thanks to AI, anyone can create an app today, but having the ability to build it doesn't guarantee it will be profitable. Steve Young is a recognized expert in app marketing at AppMasters.com. With years of experience in building, purchasing, and selling apps, he returns to the show nearly a decade after his last visit to explain how AI tools have simplified the process for anyone to create a small but lucrative business centered around apps.

      Listen to Episode 743 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - How to explore app ideas based on current search trends

      - The impact of paywall and pricing modifications that can significantly increase revenue without altering any features

      - Strategies for buying and selling apps as assets for generating income on the side

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      How to Make Money With Apps: Focus on Distribution First, Features Second

      Steve's straightforward belief is: "First-time founders emphasize features. Second-time founders emphasize distribution." The objective is not to create the most impressive app, but to build what users are actively seeking. This change in perspective distinguishes successful apps from those that remain unused.

      Identifying a Profitable App Idea

      The research phase begins with keyword tools rather than brainstorming sessions.

      Utilizing ASO Mobile to Identify Demand

      ASO Mobile essentially conducts SEO research for the App Store and offers a free plan. Steve searches for keywords with a traffic score around 30 — sufficient search volume without excessive competition that would hinder a new app's ability to rank. Upon finding a promising keyword, he examines the search results: How many apps feature that keyword in their title? If few apps exist and the top-rated ones have only a few hundred ratings (instead of tens of thousands), there's room for competition.

      Dissecting a Popular App

      One of Steve's most effective strategies involves analyzing top-grossing apps, identifying features they neglect, and developing a simpler, focused version targeting those overlooked keywords. For instance, Endel generates approximately $1 million per month with relaxation and focus sounds while competing for popular keywords. Yet, their secondary keywords like "green noise" are largely unclaimed. Noticing that Calm was running TV ads for the term prompted Steve to create a Green Noise app, which now earns $200-$300 monthly from just one keyword.

      Sensor Tower reveals competitors’ top in-app purchases, while the Facebook Ads Library illustrates the terms major apps promote in their paid campaigns. Both serve as indicators of growing search demand.

      Cross-Referencing with Google

      Steve uses the Keywords Everywhere Chrome extension to check Google search volume for potential app terms. If a phrase like "paraphrase app" sees 12,000 monthly searches on Google, it strongly indicates users are also searching for it in the App Store.

      Real Apps, Real Earnings

      A JPEG to PDF converter generates about $500 a month. While the market seemed saturated, keyword research revealed that related terms like PNG to PDF, photo to PDF, and picture to PDF all had substantial volume with low competition. Paraphrase AI earns between $2,200 and $2,600 monthly, with projections of $5,000/month now that it ranks for its primary keyword. Its users include students refining AI-generated text and non-native speakers wanting to paraphrase content into natural English. The Green Noise App brings in $200-$300 a month, built solely around a trending keyword influenced by a larger competitor.

      Steve acquired a frequency generator app that initially charged a one-time fee of $2.99 without an onboarding paywall — resulting in minimal revenue despite attracting 100 daily downloads. After implementing a paywall during onboarding and transitioning to a $60/year subscription, revenue skyrocketed from $1–$2 to $2,000 a month, eventually rising to $8,000–$10,000 monthly—same app, same features, same download numbers.

      Building the App

      Currently, Claude Code is the most widely utilized AI coding tool for app construction. A basic utility app, like a JPEG-to-PDF converter, should take approximately 2–3 days to create and submit to the App Store. Prior to launch, prepare necessary documents like a privacy policy and terms of service (ChatGPT can help draft these). You can launch under a personal developer account; Steve has clients earning $20,000 monthly using personal accounts. Transitioning to a business entity later is