The first time is always the hardest because there are a lot of stuff you need to do to get your app published in the app store. But I was able to do it with my app called Kerisik (a recipe management app).
In terms of step-by-step, you can follow this video on Youtube (
link) which demonstrates how to do so.
There is also a review period after you send for review. If something is wrong with your app, the reviewer will reject your app and state what is wrong with it so it's something you can work with. In case you're not sure, the support team is quite helpful (especially when we pay them a lot of money huhu).
My first app, if I recall, got a total of 3 revisions before finally able to get it to public.
It does get easier to publish newer version of your app once you're able to publish the 1st version.
So to *finally *answer your question, it was hard not because it's difficult, it's because you don't know what to do and the number of steps that you need to do can be quite daunting at first.
So take your time, step-by-step, and before you even realize, your app is now available to the public!
I mean if you're stuck, feel free to get help 🤝!
p/s: the yearly fee for publishing on App Store is $99 (equivalent to RM400++)