Creator of the immensely popular textPlus text-messaging application, GOGII is one of the most accomplished and important developers for the iPhone (and more recently iPad and Android-powered devices). GOGII is a portfolio company of the iFund, the app-specific venture capital fund managed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Matrix Partners.
In our inaugural edition of Meet the Makers, we sit down with GOGII CEO Scott Lahman to talk about building a flagship product around texting, making money from free apps, and the importance of “https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/apple-store/id314487667?mt=8″ app_id=”57375” target=”_blank”>Because ours is a communication app, we need to offer our users a seamless experience on all platforms. Being experts on all devices has been critical to our success in developing.
What factors go into how you ultimately price your apps?
When it comes to consumers, the best price is obviously “free.” The free version of textPlus is designed to provide an enormous amount of value for the consumer, and thanks to a tremendous amount of engagement in our app, we offset our expenses with a successful advertising offering
We also offer an increasing number of in-app transactions for additional features and upgrades for increased revenue.
Describe what your dream app for the iPhone/iPad would look like.
We believe that perfect apps provide both utility and fun and solve a challenge for consumers, and we brought this design philosophy to textPlus.
If I were to have a “dream” app, however, I would say it’d be one that allowed me to have my order ready for pickup at any one of a number of LA Institutions known for their long lines: Bay Cities Deli, Tito’s Tacos, Pink’s Hot Dog, etc. What can I say, I’m just here for the food.
