2024 guide: build and monetize your first app as a beginner

A complete beginner’s guide: app types, tools, languages, monetization models, success stories, and learning resources.

This guide walks beginners through building and monetizing an app.

App types

• Native apps: Best performance and UX, separate code for iOS/Android.
• Web apps: Run in the browser; cheaper to ship but limited offline and device access.
• Hybrid/cross-platform: One codebase for both platforms (e.g., Flutter).

Tooling and languages

• iOS: Swift/SwiftUI with Xcode
• Android: Kotlin with Android Studio
• Cross-platform: Flutter (Dart) covers mobile, web, desktop
• Backend: Go, Python, Node.js, etc. plus managed services like Firebase

Monetization models

• Paid downloads, subscriptions, in-app purchases
• Ads or affiliate links
• Commerce/marketplaces
• B2B SaaS with seat-based pricing

Success tips

1. Start with a small, testable core feature.
2. Validate with real users early.
3. Instrument analytics to learn.
4. Release often; automate builds and QA.
5. Mind store guidelines and privacy requirements.

Learning resources

• Official docs for Swift, Kotlin, Flutter
• Sample apps and open-source code
• Design systems (Material, Human Interface Guidelines)

Even without prior experience, you can launch and monetize an app by focusing scope, choosing the right stack, and iterating quickly.