Windows Phone is better than iOS platform for independent developers

If you're an independent developer of mobile applications, you will understand what I mean when I say that position is the most important thing to do. Sounds logical, right? In fact, I think the app stores are used for that fact: to gain visibility to users and not have to spend real hype in advertising campaigns that redirect to your site to download the application, apart from distribution media course. And for visibility, there are some stores better than others.

Earlier this month came a very interesting news for me, just an independent developer: 400,000 applications had never been downloaded from the AppStore . In the platform that has the reputation of being the most profitable, almost two thirds of the applications that have not reached any phone had more than the developer. Given that Apple has to certify applications and that is a number too large to be of poor quality, the only explanation is the lack of visibility these applications. Nobody download because they are hidden from view because no one discharge cycle.

Then we have the same problem as the app stores coming to solve: you have to spend money advertising revenue if you want really. Let's face it: if you're not on the list of tops, not going to download one, and to get there you have to make yourself known outside the store. You told us in the great wheel Curro Codemotion of Madrid , to which I had the pleasure of attending. If you're not on the list, you're out.

So we know what the problem of suffering the AppStore and Google Play. Why this does not happen in Windows Phone 7? Contrary to what one might think that only games that are marked as Xbox Live are good, excellent games on WP7 are independent and get a decent reputation is not difficult, in fact, very few applications in the Marketplace, the I do not intend to make money (and therefore are not too complicated) and I have achieved the 7,000 downloads. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. No wonder the Marketplace reached the 100,000 applications in less time than Android.

Obviously there may be arguments against, as they have a smaller target audience (undeniable) or that have fewer applications to compete against (arguably, more than 100,000 is a respectable number). But what is clear, by many experiences is: Windows Phone 7 is easier to get noticed.