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Selling / creating software for a beginner. Any tips are welcome!

flows

Hello everyone,

I will start of by saying; I dont know if this is the right place to ask these questions, so sorry in advance if it isn't.

I’m a 19-year-old software developer studying to become a software engineer. Software development is my passion, but I also want to start earning some income from it, so I can quit my side job and focus more on my personal projects while studying.

Currently, I’m developing a software platform to control IoT devices, currently focusing on Raspberry Pi and ESP32. The user interface is web-based, and the devices are controlled using WebSocket for real-time interactions or HTTP for non-latency-sensitive devices. The devices will communicate with each other via a local server, which I plan to run on a Raspberry Pi (with docker i think). Just to clarify, this isn't my first software project, so I’m not a complete beginner, but given how broad the software world is, there’s still a lot for me to learn.

For now, I’m primarily working with the ESP32, using the ESP API/lib and the esp-idf, and I’m building abstracted classes around these to suit my needs. I’m also open to exploring new platforms as my project evolves.

At this stage, the project is still in its early development phase, and I can shape it into whatever I want. I’ve considered use cases like controlling escape room scenarios, managing drive-through order screens, or just general IoT device control. I’m still flexible, and that's why I’m reaching out for advice.

Now the real questions come:

  1. How can I make this project more professional?
  2. What direction should I take in terms of shaping the software? Should I focus on specific use cases or keep it more general?
  3. How can I turn this into a product and start selling it? What are some platforms or strategies for selling software like this?
  4. What should I charge for this type of software? How do I determine pricing when working with clients? And what should I expect to earn?

Any comments, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!

  • 0

    Hi,

    I think first thing you need to do is document what exactly you want to achieve using your product/solution. For an idea Sky is the limit. But when it comes to product development

    you have to clearly set the requirements.

    For example

    "I’m developing a software platform to control IoT devices"

    What kind of devices ? What does these devices do ?
    How does this device communicate ?

    You have opted for HTTP and WebSocket you should have a strong compelling reason to use them over other protocols ( Lot of IoT devices in conventional sense are low bandwidth devices they use light weight protocols to transfer data. Did you explore MQTT?)

    In my opinion you should have a clear understanding where your potential market is and who could be your potential clients (B2C or B2B)  before you even stand designing the product.

    Regards,

    Aswin

  • 0

    How can I turn this into a product and start selling it? What are some platforms or strategies for selling software like this?

    It's easier to find a market (or single customer) that needs software and wants to pay for it, 
    than coming up with an idea and then find a market, that wants to invest or pay.

    If one single customer wants to pay for it, there's a chance that there is a market for it.

  • 0 in reply to Jan Cumps

    Totally agree. Way easier to get to know a single customer's problems intimately, and developing something that at least can meet that real customer needs, rather than try to immediately determine what everyone wants. One learns a lot that would not even have been considered unless they work with the customer. 

  • 0

    As someone who has created a successful software product, I can echo a lot of what has been said by others.

    Number 1, identify you customer base and focus the product to support them. 

    Research the web for similar products so you can understand the capabilities already offered and the prices being charged for the product.

    Developing the product is the easy part, next you have to have good documentation, establish configuration control, establish a fix/enhancement forum, engage your customers for new features, get customer feedback on how well the product meets their needs, and where are the growth areas for the future.

    In short, you have a lot of work ahead of you.

    I was lucky, I developed my product as an extension of work I was already doing, so the customer allowed me full freedom in its development and use. In the end, I helped them better understand their project and alert them to places where issues existed before they became apparent.

    That was over 40 years ago.

    You now face a world wide developer capability that can quickly steal your idea and bring a complete product to market before you can do so on your own.

    As a student, you need to focus on your studies and really learn the craft.

    If you want to be successful, take some marketing classes and read up on how entrepreneurs succeed. 

  • 0

    I don't know any good "hobby" app stores, that operate like the Google Play Store, where you can sell your software, but there are lots of resources on-line that provide tips on how to create a web based business or monetize your content via the internet. If you turn your content into a course there are some places to help market it.

    https://lmsninjas.com/7-ways-to-monetize-your-online-course/

  • 0

    Applications for public consumption need to be security conscious. Great article here to get some traction.  IoT Security  

  • 0

    Hello

    here is my 5cents worth, coming from the service / support side 

    I have years of experience looking after industrial CNC machines 

    I don't think you can break into the market of any machines that are less than 10 years old 

    but older than that the manufacturer / agent is not interested in supporting them 

    For example I look after a brake press made in 1982 with battery cartridge memory

    Green screen and Relay protection logic. This machine will deliver 200,000 Ton over a 8m Bed,

    the cost of my maintenance is peanuts versus Quality machine replacement cost $800,000

    Now if someone offered them a modern operating system they would look at it 

    You mite find something near you that you could design a upgrade 

    don't plan on profit from 1st machine but from then on you are made.  

  • 0

    I wrote some software for sale once, sold 5 then the people I sold it to gave it to all their friends for free.

    The next version I put encrypted security codes in the startup subroutines, people still gave it away with the security codes.

    Then all these people with pirate software were asking me for enhancements and upgrades, I quit updating it at that point.

    Good luck......

    Scott