Developer: I Wish There Was A Windows App Store Too

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20110208-ommwriter-appstore.jpg

So how are things going over on the Mac App Store? What are developers noticing when their apps first go on sale there?

Marzban Cooper, one of the team behind zen word processor OmmWriter, spoke to Cult of Mac today with some interesting observations about the transition to the Store, and its effect on sales.

His only wish? That there was a similar store for Windows, so he could do the same with the forthcoming Windows version of the application.

The paid-for version of OmmWriter – Dana II – is now on sale in the Mac App Store, as well as directly via the web from its makers. A free version (Dana I) is still available directly, but not via the Store.

Marzban revealed that “sales and free downloads in ommwriter.com are up by about 20x since the App Store launch. Also since we have a variable pricing model in our own site, the average price paid is higher than in the appstore as well as profits.”

So, even though they can get it cheaper elsewhere, people are still paying the fixed fee for the App Store version. Because it’s quick and simple and integrated, and comes with all the App Store-specific benefits (auto updates, generous licensing, etc).

Marzban said: “Last week OmmWriter got into the store and three days later was a featured app. One week later it made it to the top 10 most selling apps in many countries (#8 in the US and #4 in the UK and #1 in Japan, at the time of writing).

“So I guess the move for us has been a positive one even though Apple take 30% of the $4.99. It’s a channel distribution decision after all. I think for the moment we will keep both channels going and decide later on what to do.

“Needless to say, we are very happy. I especially love reading the reviews in the App Store, which I’m sure is a key purchase factor for users. And being featured and getting into the top 10 doesn’t harm either.

“Our next challenge is going to be successfully launching the Windows version in the coming weeks, which is currently in closed beta. How I would have loved to have an App Store equivalent for this.”

Any other devs feeling the same way? Let us know in the comments, or get in touch with us directly.

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