Windows Store: do I need it?
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CDP1802 wrote:
anyone with half a brain would not need it.
Need what? The other half of the sentence? I'm so confused. :confused:
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
That escalated quickly.
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
The first question is, whether you move on to WPF. The next is, whether you move on to Universal Windows Platform (UWP). And then comes the Store question.
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The first question is, whether you move on to WPF. The next is, whether you move on to Universal Windows Platform (UWP). And then comes the Store question.
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
this isn't an either/or question; you can continue your online business AND get a store listing. There's a lot of support from Microsoft to help you join. You know about desktop converter already. The conversion isn't difficult, the only thorn is changing your registration code I did it some months ago, and although the sales aren't spectacular, they do exist. In the future Microsoft may force everybody to go on the store, if you believe the news I believe that to be successful in the Store, you must offer a free/very cheap version, and make money through in-app purchases. Mine is quite expensive for store terms Along the way you will find that many things are broken, it is very sad, but there could be an advantage for the future jumping on board early
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That escalated quickly.
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
Here are some cases where it might help: - Updates: it makes it easier for your customers to get updates for your app - Visibility: being a popular app in the store increases your chances of your app being recommended to - other users through the "Picks for you" or "Popular apps" categories on the store - Let's say you have a new feature to your new app and want to roll the update only to a few of your customers before releasing it to everyone. Windows store makes hat easier for you. - Notifications - Analytics/Crashes/Hangs are easily visible in your Dev Center - Easily distributing your app in multiple languages As stated, the downside is that 30% of the acquisitions made through your app go to Microsoft
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
If it ends up being sold in the Microsoft store, I'll never see it! In the first 2-3 years of the store I didn't find a single 'App' that I'd want to use so I just stopped looking. Most of my computer tech friends don't use the store either, they seem to see it as a waste land.
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
Cons: 1. Percentage of sales go to Microsoft. 2. Not sure if non-UWP apps can be sold via the store, but I think they can be distributed privately. 3. There are some other minimal requirements such as passing a certification test and providing several logos of various sizes, but these aren’t difficult and are actually beneficial. 4. You’re subject to potential restrictions on how you classify your application. 5. No support for Win7. Pros: 1. You don’t have to host a site and users don’t have to wonder if they can trust your site. 2. Once you successfully submit an app, updating it is extremely easy. 3. In most cases, updates are automatically downloaded by your users. 4. All financial transactions are handled for you. 5. Many analytics available via DevCenter (download stats, advertising performance, usage stats, crash logs, user reviews, ratings, feedback, etc.) 6. You can provide links to your app that directly open the Windows Store (which is most likely in the center of a user’s taskbar) right to your app. For me, the risk-free ease of hosting and distributing my apps is the best part. I had to embrace UWP, but its similarity to WinForms made it easier and now I have apps that run on and automatically scale to multiple Windows devices.
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
I, too, develop Winforms applications. To answer your question, though, it depends on your audience. My guess is that you're trying to sell something you've written and want the widest possible audience. In that case then, you might consider it. In my particular case, I write applications under contract (customized). The "store" wouldn't be of much use in that context. So, as I said, the answer is: "depends". ;-)
Bruce W. Roeser www.simplesoftwarebydesign.com
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
For what it's worth, I like Microsoft and I like the idea of a store - I worry about the idea of downloading random code from the internet and paying for it, although I have done both. The problem is that the Windows store is a wasteland of under-designed and poorly thought out applications. If possible I would prioritize a web application. That said, a well designed and well marketed app in the Windows Store could really be a differentiator. Rudy Huyn makes pretty decent money producing windows apps.
Idaho Edokpayi
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Here are some cases where it might help: - Updates: it makes it easier for your customers to get updates for your app - Visibility: being a popular app in the store increases your chances of your app being recommended to - other users through the "Picks for you" or "Popular apps" categories on the store - Let's say you have a new feature to your new app and want to roll the update only to a few of your customers before releasing it to everyone. Windows store makes hat easier for you. - Notifications - Analytics/Crashes/Hangs are easily visible in your Dev Center - Easily distributing your app in multiple languages As stated, the downside is that 30% of the acquisitions made through your app go to Microsoft
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CDP1802 wrote:
anyone with half a brain would not need it.
Need what? The other half of the sentence? I'm so confused. :confused:
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
I think the "it" needs to be capitalised. IT. Microsoft provide IT. Seriously though - I think some of these comments are a little off topic. You are both entitled to your opinions - which will be valued in inverse square of the number of posted messages.
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I think the "it" needs to be capitalised. IT. Microsoft provide IT. Seriously though - I think some of these comments are a little off topic. You are both entitled to your opinions - which will be valued in inverse square of the number of posted messages.
pmauriks wrote:
I think some of these comments are a little off topic.
Exactly! :thumbsup:
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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It's the same on App Store and Play Store. So, why so shocked?
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I have designed a Desktop application (Winforms) for Windows. I have a web site for sale it, manage the licenses key, etc. What can the windows store give me more? Maybe somebody using it can give me the good and bad points? Regards
I recently published my app (a UWP) on the Windows Store and I think there are big advantages compared to traditional MSI installers: - People will be less hesitant to install an app from the store (bc it has a stamp of approval), which is better if you're a small time developer with no recognition - You don't need to mess with installers or code signing certificates - You can easily push updates (mandatory if you want) to all your users instantaneously (I've found that updates are generally processed and made available overnight) - You can get analytics on installations, usage and crashes Yes there is a cost (MSFT takes a cut of your revenues) but I think it significantly simplifies distribution
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It's the same on App Store and Play Store. So, why so shocked?
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Industry standard for digital storefronts is 30%. Steam, for example, might take more than that.