That’s where I get stuck!

 

I’ve been writing a travel blog for a few years now.  The way it all started is that since I travel a lot, my friends would always ask me ‘Since you’ve been to Patagonia, what should I do there?  Where should I stay?’  After a while it dawned on me that it would be easier if I started writing a blog and direct people to the specific page, rather then continuously typing out the same info over-and-over again in an email format.

 

Then 2011 comes along, and everyone has a blog, but besides that apps are starting to mushroom.  The question is, how does a lay person like me create an app?  And isn’t it expensive and time consuming for it involves programming and a tech-savvy personality?

 

Apparently not … thanks to GuideGecko.

 

GuideGecko has recently launched its iPhone, Kindle and Web publishing platforms.  Writers only have to compose their guides once on www.GuideGecko.com, and may write on any destination.

 

GuideGecko will then create the apps and eBooks and make them available on iTunes, Amazon Kindle and other bookstores.  Publishing is free, and writers choose the selling price.

 

GuideGecko’s founder Daniel Quadt further elaborated that from their website you input your content into their templates, select the various icons that will represent your content, after which it takes them 2-3 days of programming and voila … your app is live!

 

What I really liked about this tool is that the apps also work when your phone is offline.  Because we all know the exorbitant data roaming fees that providers charge us if we’re continuously fiddling with our apps while we’re traveling!

 

Besides apps, writers may also choose to publish on the web or create eBooks.

 

Best of all, there is no fee for creating the apps, eBooks or Websites, just a revenue sharing model.  With the iPhone App and eBooks you collect royalties, while if you choose to publish on the web you will receive a share of the advertising revenue.  GuideGecko shares all sales and advertising revenues on a 50-50% basis.

 

The apps and eBooks are suited for both walks and tours with a limited number of entries, as well as for in-depth guides with hundreds of listings. They thus cater to professional writers and travel bloggers alike.

 

A sample app for Singapore is available at www.GuideGecko.com/singapore-app