By now you have done some research – or at least tried to, anyway – about becoming an iPhone App developer.  You have ideas that have led you to this point.  Maybe it is because there are apps that you think you would need and could benefit other people, or maybe you want to dip into the millions of dollars that are made from iPhone app sales.  In either case, you have made the decision, and you need some information.  A quick search using any engine can provide you with thousands of listings about iPhone App development, but there are very few that actually outline the positives.  Apparently, the web has become the biggest whining collaboration in history.  Let’s address some of the main complaints and what the real truth is so that you can see beyond the complaining.

The first issue is that people are having trouble getting their apps past the first approval process.  Okay, this is fairly easy.  Obviously, there is something wrong with the application to cause the rejection.  Apple has specific policies that are meant to be followed, like no foul language and no using the iPhone icon (or anything that resembles an iPhone icon – including a rectangle).  It may seem stupid to some people, but the reality is that obviously there are other developers that are getting their iPhone apps approved because there is an unreal amount of apps to choose from in the App Store.  Additionally, many people are ignoring the email messages that they are getting from the reviewers.  These messages are sent when an app doesn’t get through the first stage in the review process, and are designed to help developers see the mistakes, correct them, and resubmit the app.

The next major issue is with the time that it takes to get an iPhone app approved.  Well, quite frankly, you have no choice.  If you think about the bigger picture, you will understand that Apple has an understaffed review department.  The people that they do have can only handle so much at once.  Sending fifty thousand “What’s going on?” emails does not make things any better.  It is understandable that you are impatient, but only to a certain degree.  Let’s say, for example, that you submitted an app and a week goes by.  You haven’t heard anything, and you start emailing.  It’s only been a week.  The review process for an app is rather lengthy; reviewers need to check out everything, down to the smallest details, like loading times.  Have a little patience.  If 2 ½ to 3 weeks has gone by without a word, then you can start politely sending requests for progress updates.

The final major issue is with the payments.  Yes, there have been issues with delayed payments from Apple to developers for iPhone apps.  This is a business transaction and should be handled as such.  Sending unprofessional letters and making rude phone calls does not make the situation any better.  Instead, you need to calmly find out what is going on and get an estimate for when you will receive the money that you are owed.  It isn’t that you won’t get paid; it’s more about Apple’s inability to catch up because there are many areas in the company that lack the proper staffing.

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