Selling services within the app

Solar2D Monetization (in-app purchases, ads, etc.)
#1

Hi all,

One of my customers is requesting an extended feature to the app I am building for him. The app is a tourist guide, now he would like to offer users the possibility to buy some of the services listed. For instance book a hotel or buy a concert ticket for starters and maybe more in the future.

How would you approach this feature?

For what I understand from Apple guidelines this cannot be done through the app store with in-app purchases as this are external services (not affecting/unlocking the functionality of the app).

Would this have to be done through an external ecommerce website and perform the selling process through webviews? I think that will have to be the way to do it, but would like to get some advice from you guys before going to the wrong or too complicated approach.

Thanks! [import]uid: 168845 topic_id: 35427 reply_id: 335427[/import]

#2

guriek - It is my understanding that Apple will allow you to sell anything (legal) via your app. The key is that if it is a virtual good (e.g., “coins”, content, etc.) then it has to be done via their IAP and they take a cut. But if you are talking about real world items and services, then you can sell it no problem. You will however need to set up your own payment infrastructure (e.g., take credit cards).

Now, could you use Apple IAP to charge for real world items? I am not 100% sure, but it is possible. The key is that you probably don’t want to - Apple would take 30% and since real world items/services have lower margins that virtual goods, it probably doesn’t make economical sense.

Hope that helps.

David
[import]uid: 10668 topic_id: 35427 reply_id: 140821[/import]

#3

guriek - actually, someone here just pointed out to me that, according to the official Apple guidelines, you CANNOT use IAP for physical goods. So that is not an option (and as mentioned, one you probably wouldn’t want anyway). But you can still definitely build a completely native app (with or without webviews) that takes payments for physical goods.
[import]uid: 10668 topic_id: 35427 reply_id: 140824[/import]

#4

guriek - It is my understanding that Apple will allow you to sell anything (legal) via your app. The key is that if it is a virtual good (e.g., “coins”, content, etc.) then it has to be done via their IAP and they take a cut. But if you are talking about real world items and services, then you can sell it no problem. You will however need to set up your own payment infrastructure (e.g., take credit cards).

Now, could you use Apple IAP to charge for real world items? I am not 100% sure, but it is possible. The key is that you probably don’t want to - Apple would take 30% and since real world items/services have lower margins that virtual goods, it probably doesn’t make economical sense.

Hope that helps.

David
[import]uid: 10668 topic_id: 35427 reply_id: 140821[/import]

#5

guriek - actually, someone here just pointed out to me that, according to the official Apple guidelines, you CANNOT use IAP for physical goods. So that is not an option (and as mentioned, one you probably wouldn’t want anyway). But you can still definitely build a completely native app (with or without webviews) that takes payments for physical goods.
[import]uid: 10668 topic_id: 35427 reply_id: 140824[/import]