What is the best software to use when planning a children's book app?
One of the biggest decisions to be made when producing a children's book app is what software to use when developing your app. There are quite a few on the market, so I can list a few things we looked at when discussing the software to choose for our upcoming children's storybook app "Have you heard of the Herd?
What do I look for in a software company to make my Children's Book app?
I will list the keypoints that were important for us, and what helped us choose.
Some charge a lifelong percentage of sales Some companies that provide software do so cheaply or free in exchange for a cut of every sale, that can be up to 30%. On top of say Apple's store %, which can be 17%, that can be almost half of your proceeds on every sale gone.
Some have you list them as the publisher Many companies, which isnt that crucial if its a one time thing, want to be listed as "developer" or "publisher" when you use their software. If you plan on making more than one app, or you want your name to show so customers can search by your name, it is important you have your name as developer and publisher. You need to register and get a developer's license through Microsoft ($100.00) so you can upload it, and be listed instead of the software company you use.
Some have better support For me a lot of support, membership forums and live Youtube videos on every segment or element you want in a tutorial forum is an important feature.
Some are constantly updating I also like software that has updates and new features and games often.
What is the best children's book app software?
I have taken quite a few seminars and paid courses over the past several years to further my education.
I took the tutorial webinar with Interact Builder offered by Mark Mitchell in his How to be a Children's Book Illustrator series and thought it was a great and easy to use software to build interactive children's apps. InteractBuilder would be good for personal projects or simpler goals rather than for profit or to build a series of apps. They do take a percentage, but its cheaper when just doing a few for personal fun or family gifts.
The outstanding frontrunner in children's interactive book software to me is a Photoshop plug-in by the name of Kwik. I took an paid live interactive course intensive through Will Terry's SVS classes, and the company's owner Alex literally walked us through making an app. You pay a one-time fee, they do NOT take a percentage, and you get a certain number of apps with your software license use and then when you pass that you can pay a small fee for each additional app. The support and live Youtube videos are invaluable and they are constantly adding new elements to implement in your children's interactive book app.
