I want to make a few smartphone apps but have no idea where to start. They would be fairly simple, with a landing page upon opening with a menu, and 5-6 sections with text and images. Almost like an ebook.
What kind of logistics would this entail? I have the content and layout plan, but would need graphics and app development. What are the expected startup expenses for this?
Without having too many details, probably $5,000 - $10,000 would be the *minimum* you should budget to have a static brochure-ware app with content that does not change developed. I've worked on some simple apps, and the budgets for those range in the $30,000 - $100,000 range. That pricing estimate is if you hired a firm to do it. So as you can see, it gets pretty expensive! The more complicated a project is, the more likely it is to go over budget. I'd suggest learning mobile development, or at least getting your feet wet if you're serious about it. If you know a little, then you can better make an informed decision about who to hire and have better insight into managing a team.
Software can a tough business. Like many things, it takes a lot of time and effort to make a great product. I think it's often underestimated how long it takes to build quality software. You also have to consider support, maintenance, bug fixes, etc. Budgeting for ongoing maintenance and updates is one area that is often neglected. If you have a great idea that no one in your niche is doing, it could be a really good idea. It could also be a bad idea that's been passed up by other entrepreneurs! On the plus side, you can run and manage a software project from anywhere in the world.