Using Banner Advertising to Generate Income from Free Apps

by Holly Shoemaker

Is it possible to make money by offering free apps? Consumers would have to conclude yes because free apps are continuously offered for both the iPhone and Android markets. Offering free apps that did not generate income would also put some companies out of business.  

Profiting from free apps comes down to perhaps two obvious thoughts – those who have a strong brand and employ effective marketing strategies should gain a competitive edge in the app marketplace. Making money from free apps compares to generating income from affiliate marketing sites and blogging. When visitors click on links or banner ads, affiliate marketers and bloggers make money. App developers looking to profit from consumers downloading free apps understand this. Companies who decide to offer free apps use advertising to generate income. Developers will need to put a banner advertising bar on top of the app to generate income – that will also generate business for the company or companies the app promotes. Using this method does come with a caveat – companies need to understand their audiences and align themselves with ads that speak toward their customers.

Final Thoughts 

To generate revenue from fee apps, developers need apps that will appeal to a large majority. If an app targets more of a niche client base, developers will likely produce a paid-app option. If companies design apps for a more general audience, they should use banner advertising to help them achieve their desired profits. 

Providing a Prescription Interaction App to Consumers

by Holly Shoemaker

As the cold and flu season approaches, doctors may tell patients to take certain supplements or vitamins to boost their immune systems. Some people may also develop sinus infections and the need for an antibiotic. When we are prescribed medications or told to take supplements, we sometimes forget to ask questions regarding interactions with other medications or supplements we already take. In this case, consumers would benefit from an app designed to check interactions between prescription medications, vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter (OTC) products. 

While many medical websites provide a feature that allows consumers to check for possible interactions, a lot of existing sites do not speak to a general audience. If someone just wants to check a newly prescribed medication with a supplement such as magnesium, he/she may not quickly find that information. An app that has the ability to target that function, without overloading consumers, would allow people a valid way to cross check their medications, vitamins and supplements. People would not have to filter through patient reviews or time consuming Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports.

Final Thoughts 

The internet, and even TV commercials, gives us access to an overwhelming amount of medical information. At times, this information may even scare people. If consumers just need to check drug interactions, they do not necessarily want the opinions of others. A prescription interaction app, targeted toward a general audience, would provide that information and help people avoid possible allergic reactions.

Using Medical Apps as Back-Up Patient Records for Hospitals

by Holly Shoemaker

When I went to visit my 86-year-old grandmother this summer, she ended up falling and being admitted into the hospital. Thankfully, she feels much better. When I put all the emotional feelings aside, I can reflect on the process it took to get her admitted. I literally watched the nurse enter my grandmother’s information into the system for at least 45 minutes. I found that a bit odd as the hospital already had her information. My mom began to ask the nurse questions about what she thought of the system. The nurse went on to say that the staff seemed dissatisfied. If the system crashed, the staff had no way of retrieving patient records. The nurse also mentioned that she sometimes had to enter in patient information from the beginning.

The nurse’s thoughts got me thinking the following – Corporations provide smartphones to some of its employees; hospitals should consider doing the same. Better yet, they should look at app development as a way to retrieve at least snapshots of patient information. If healthcare facilities have already invested money into technology, they should take an extra step to ensure staff always has access to patient information. This type of app would certainly help staff when systems go down or if back-up generators fail. 

Final Thoughts 

Hospital patients cannot always communicate their medical histories. Loved ones may not always have the ability to answer all questions either. When hospital networks fail, staff would benefit from having an app that functions as a back-up method to retrieving patient records. In turn, hospital staff could focus on patient care while having access to potentially life-saving information.