Difference between revisions of "25 Steps to Build Your Own Micro ISV"

From TimeSnapper
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I'd also like to reorganise this story into a more flowing piece, which will have different steps, in a more logical order. Below is a work-in-progress of that order.
 
I'd also like to reorganise this story into a more flowing piece, which will have different steps, in a more logical order. Below is a work-in-progress of that order.
  
h2. Pre-Compilation
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== Pre-Compilation ==
 
* What's your idea(s)?
 
* What's your idea(s)?
 
* How To Fail Fast
 
* How To Fail Fast
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* [[Register That Domain]] (aka, Choose a Name)
 
* [[Register That Domain]] (aka, Choose a Name)
  
h2. Code
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== Code ==
 
* Write your software...
 
* Write your software...
 
** Even a one-person company [[needs source control]]
 
** Even a one-person company [[needs source control]]
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** Automate Your [[Build+Release Strategy]]  
 
** Automate Your [[Build+Release Strategy]]  
 
** [[Auto Update Strategy]]  
 
** [[Auto Update Strategy]]  
** [[Write Your Own EULA]] (end user license agreement) -- infact write two!
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** Testing
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** Beta users
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** [[Write Your Own EULA]] (end user license agreement)  
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** Installer, or stand alone
 
* One page website
 
* One page website
 
** [[Reliable Hosting]]  
 
** [[Reliable Hosting]]  
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** [[Register at Download Sites]]
 
** [[Register at Download Sites]]
  
 
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== Going Pro ==
 
* Advanced Website
 
* Advanced Website
 
** [[Website Design]]  
 
** [[Website Design]]  
 
** [[Basic Website Content]]  
 
** [[Basic Website Content]]  
 
** Create forums, [[Encourage Feedback]]
 
** Create forums, [[Encourage Feedback]]
* Go pro...
 
 
** Choose a price range
 
** Choose a price range
* [[Establish Payment Account]]  
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** [[Establish Payment Account]]  
* [[Allow Payment]] from your website  
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** [[Allow Payment]] from your website  
* Get a [[License Management Database]]  
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** Build/Buy a [[License Management Database]]  
* [[License Activation Webservice/Website]]  
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** [[License Activation Webservice/Website]]  
  
h2. Coda
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== Coda ==
 
* [[Do It All Again]]
 
* [[Do It All Again]]
 
* [[Configure Email For Your Domain]]  
 
* [[Configure Email For Your Domain]]  
  
* Extra Credit
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== Extra Credit ==
 
** [[Traffic Monitoring]]
 
** [[Traffic Monitoring]]
* [[Build a Proper Installer]]  
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** Experimentation
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** [[Build a Proper Installer]]  
 
* Free up enough time/resources for [[Dealing With Support]]  
 
* Free up enough time/resources for [[Dealing With Support]]  
 
** [[Maintain a FAQ]]  
 
** [[Maintain a FAQ]]  
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 +
  
 
[[Category:MicroISV]]
 
[[Category:MicroISV]]

Revision as of 18:36, 15 November 2009

Turning an amateur software project into a professional project is a straight forward process -- but it involves a lot of steps.

We're putting together articles on each of the steps we've identified, as a way to help other developers turning their fledgling idea into a working MicroISV.


1. Register That Domain

2. Reliable Hosting

3. Website Design

4. Basic Website Content

5. Install Traffic Monitoring on your site

6. Create forums, Encourage Feedback

7. Maintain a FAQ

8. Get The Best Screenshots You Can

9. Configure Email For Your Domain

10. Establish Payment Account

11. Allow Payment from your website

12. Create a PAD file (portable application description)

13. Register at Download Sites

14. Strategy: Separate "Free" From "Professional" product

15. Write Your Own EULA (end user license agreement) -- infact write two!

16. Auto Update Strategy

17. License Activation Webservice/Website

18. Get a License Management Database

19. Build a Proper Installer

20. Obfuscate Your Assemblies

21. Automate Your Build+Release Strategy

22. Free up enough time/resources for Dealing With Support

23. Shiny, Usable, Helpful

24. Plan and enact your Promotional Strategy

25. Do It All Again


I'd also like to reorganise this story into a more flowing piece, which will have different steps, in a more logical order. Below is a work-in-progress of that order.

Pre-Compilation

Code

Going Pro

Coda

Extra Credit