Is my application copy protected?
Yes and no, the project does not specifically have any real protection, excluding the protection of the work and intellectual property, because it is often difficult to fully protect an idea or a project, and is relatively expensive, it is often easier and less expensive to partially protect text, image, logo, name, concept, etc., for more information on protection, see INPI (national institute of industrial property) and APP ( Program Protection Agency).
That said, some platforms protect the application by prohibiting the use of the same name (first come, first served) and check if it exactly copies another application (same logo, same design, same text, etc.), only be careful, if the application is deactivated, it leaves room for others and for copying (unless protection has been established such as a patent, etc.).

How long does it take to create an application or video game?
It depends on many parameters, such as, the time of exchanges, design, the amount of development, functionality, design, etc., as well as the number and type of target platforms. Allow for an application between one week and more than two months, and for a video game between three weeks and more than three months.

What is a platform?
The company or manager of application services, such as the Google Play Store for Android, the Apple Store for iOS and Apple MacOS, Steam or Microsoft Store for Windows, the PlayStation Store for PlayStation consoles, etc., c They are responsible for checking the quality and security of the application, as well as the distribution and installation on the different devices (smartphones, etc.).

How much does an app cost?
It depends on the type and number of features, as well as the quantity and complexity of the project. The service for the development of an application on a platform starts from €189 and can reach up to €20,000, but on average for an application the cost varies between €200 and €600, and for a mobile game between 300 € and 4000€.

Why are the costs lower than other developers?
Developing an application can be expensive, especially for an individual, to reduce the cost, I use software in proprietary programming languages allowing compilation in several formats and platforms, so I save time. Also, the source code not being provided to the client, allows me to develop in my own way, without having to comment or think about the organization, etc., so I can offer a low and competitive price.

Is it possible to lower the costs further?
In the absence of a current project, I often make discounts on certain features. Otherwise the best way is to "get your hands dirty" by involving the client in the development, he will take care of doing certain things on his side, such as design, translations, drawings, images, animations, etc. or will try to find a competent service provider...

Are there any additional costs to be expected, if so what?
Yes, there are additional costs, because updates must be planned, on average at least once a year, or two to three times if the platforms require it... Otherwise the risk is the deactivation of the application by platforms, or uninstallation of users if the application has different behaviors...
Also, some platforms require subscribing to a license, such as Apple at around $100 per year, if the application uses databases between €10 and €100 per month, hosting a website at around €10 € per month, the improvement of services in relation to the growing number of users between €10 and €500, the cost of using an API, etc.
You will of course be informed when requesting a quote, or the addition of such functionality and will be included in a Quote.

What are updates?
The update is a modification of the application, in order to make it conform to the requirements. The customer may request modifications, additions of functionalities, rectifications, etc., or the professional for improvements, optimizations, etc., or certain functionalities of the application may no longer be compatible or behave differently after an update. update of the system on user devices (smartphone, etc.), or other external factor (database, API, etc.), or most often by platforms for security, compliance, regulation rules , etc.
The price of an update starts from €45, and depends on the nature of the update.

Source code, what is it?
Source code is the code typed or written in a programming language and which can be compiled or transformed to constitute an executable program. It is part of the professional skills and intellectual property of the professional.

Is the source code provided with the application?
No, the source code is not provided upon receipt of the project, unless explicitly requested by the client before issuing the quote.
The flat rate for the source code is €2000 and the flat rate for other files and images is €200.

Compiled file or executable program, what is it?
The compiled file is the executable program, which allows you to launch, install or run the application or software.

How is the service going?
The client makes contact, explaining these expectations and needs, most often through an exchange and preferably by email, describing the project in detail. If possible and by default, the customer must provide complete specifications. If the explanations of the project were insufficient or ambiguous, or requested by the client, the client will be charged a service for drafting specifications, in order to have clear and detailed support for the operation of the application. The professional will establish one or more Estimates which will be sent to the client, with a default validity period of 3 months. For acceptance of the Quote, the customer may return the dated and signed Quote, in order to reserve a slot more quickly with the professional. By default, a deposit will be requested, preferably 30% of the total amount of the estimate, in order to validate and start the development. Then depending on the progress of the development, the payment will be broken down or not, until the end of the development. Often early access will be offered to the customer to test the application and validate certain functionalities (either from a private internet page, or by early access to the application from their smartphone, or other).

Is there a contract between the professional and the client?
Yes, throughout the process (from the first exchange, until the end of the validity of the guarantee), the customer and the professional are linked to the general sales contract for services (CGVS), is binding and effective upon signature. a quote or by full payment or a deposit (a payment constitutes good agreement), the link is visible on the quote, at the address: jimmylupfer.com/cgvs

Who can and who must draw up CGVS?
The General Terms and Conditions must be drawn up by the professional who offers goods or services as part of a commercial professional activity.

What is the CGVS contract for?
It explains and summarizes all contractual information between the client and the professional on the legal conditions and the execution of services, specifying and informing the responsibilities and commitments of each party, throughout the process, in order to protect the client and the professional in the event of conflict.

How to monetize an application?
Most often by integrating advertising, or by offering additional features that can be unlocked by payment or accessible by subscription, or more difficult by selling the application directly to companies or organizations, or more rarely by making the application payable.

How does ad monetization work?
The client will have to subscribe to an advertising service, a third-party organization (often Admob which is managed by Google), because advertising and financial management is not managed by the professional. Only the integration of the advertising system inside the application is done by the professional. Advertising profits, if any, are issued by the organization to the client (independently of the services offered) and essentially depend on the number of users who use the application, and on average we must hope to generate between 0.05€ and 3 € when a user clicks on the ad (profit per click, once per user per day), if no user clicks on the ad, we must hope to generate between 0.01€ and 10€ when 1000 users see the ad (profit per impression , depending on the number of users).

How to increase the popularity and number of users of an application?
Already have an application and a presentation page on quality, functional, useful or entertaining platforms. Then the most important thing is to create a community on social networks (Meta/Facebook, X/twitter, Instagram, etc.) to continually talk about and discover the application, make people want to try it, then adopt it and to use it regularly. Share as much content as possible and have a regular mechanism, for example: monthly ask the community to share their best score, or their best moment, or their profile, etc. create competitions, or integrate into the application an affiliation, exchange, clan or alliance system, etc. You can also make your application known through “word of mouth”, by offering people you know to try and share it with their acquaintances, etc.

What type and how do partnerships work?
The partnership can be in several forms, such as:
1. Cross-client sharing, often by adding a button in the application, opening a page that presents another application, so that users of one application can see other applications and advertise between them, in order to increase the visibility of each of them and increase adoption by new users.
2. Advertising sharing, often by integrating an advertising banner within the application, in order to hope for a financial return, and thus share this potential income between the professional and the client, in exchange for an additional price reduction on the quote.
3. Financial sharing, if the application is sold or acquires various revenues, the customer can agree to pay a monthly percentage of these revenues in exchange for a reduction on the quote, or a stake management service free update, etc.
4. The associate partnership, the professional and the client become associates, for example: if the client can contribute more than 50% of the work of an application and any profit can be shared, then the project becomes joint , so the professional and the client can create and develop the application together, like partners and share the benefits...

What is the quote?
A document that materializes pre-contractual information, and is legally a contract offer, which serves to secure the commercial relationship between the professional and the client. The signature or the reception of a payment (total, or by installment, etc.), acts as acceptance and is worth as good for agreement of the transmitted estimate.

What is the invoice?
A document which materializes the financial transaction and constitutes accounting proof between the professional and the client.

What are deposits and deposit invoices?
The deposit is the payment of a fraction of the total amount of an estimate, often used and recommended when providing a service, especially in the case of distance selling, it secures and offers a feeling of trust.
The deposit invoice is the document which materializes the portion of the financial transaction and constitutes accounting proof.

This FAQ evolves according to customer requests and questions.

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