I haven't priced the cost of getting iPhone apps for sites, but I'm starting to see more of them. I'm not familiar with how they work.

Would you say that's something that would make more financial sense for a site that's already up and running?

An Iphone app is just another touch point for people interested in your content, products or services to connect.

In principle you want as many touch points as possible, to maximize how people can find you and connect with you. Popular touch points are: telephone, websites, facebook fan pages, myspace pages, YouTube channels, etc.

In deciding if you want to add an iPhone app to that list, you need to examine the cost / benefit of such an exercise: how many people do you think will use the app? How much money will that generate? How much will it cost building the app in terms of money and the time you have to spend coming up with it and maintaining the app?

If you find that the return on your investment is greater than the cost, and that there is no other way to make more money at this point, then investing in an iPhone app is a great idea.

You'd have to look at the website you want to set the app onto as well. If it's a forum for childcare or homecrafting, or fly fishing, you may not get enough interest from the regular membership to make it worth while.. It's very much a boy toy..

I'm going to agree with what the others have said here. If you can do an inexpensive app that you think will draw folks to your site, go for it, but do watch that bottom dollar.

I suppose it makes a lot of sense for products that can be used on the iPhone itself, such as music, videos, games, etc.

Personally I'm not at the stage of even considering that, and I have no idea what it would cost.

probably something to look at further down the line as an enhancement to an already up and running established site Taggart.