iPhone Users vs. Android Users: How Do They Behave Differently?

Smartphones are becoming small extensions of us and send messages about who we are to those around us.

Our phones are now an integral part of our lives and we’re more mobile than ever. One of the most recent US Mobile App Reports from comScore indicates that:

  • We now spend 50% of our digital media time in smartphone apps
  • Time spent in mobile apps absolutely dominates over mobile web
  • We most often only access 20 or fewer apps in a month, but we position them on our screens in a way that makes them easily accessible

And what’s even more interesting is the fact that our choice of smartphone and mobile platform can speak volumes about our behavior, habits, and even personality.

This post will help you understand the different context your app may face between iOS and Android users. It will also show you why you may want to measure your app’s success differently because of this.

Let’s go!

But first, the basics on smartphone users and the mobile OS market share

Let’s begin by covering some basics on the mobile operating systems market. Android devices and Apple devices combined make up over 97% of the mobile OS global market share. And as of August 2017, Android smartphones take up almost exactly two thirds (64%) of those! 

Because of its broad price range and a lower entry-level price point, Android has the largest global share in lower income areas and developing nations. It holds an advantage over Apple in emerging markets such as Asia and Africa.

Apple, however, dominates the profit share despite Google’s global dominance of market share because the average iOS user is more active that the average Android user.

They offer different capabilities

While these two operating systems dominate the percentage of smartphones sold across the globe, there are several key differences between Android and iOS that affect user experience at its foundation and the choices we make when we engage with either of them.

Apple is incredibly strict when it comes to app submissions, push notifications, rules and timelines, and they push operating system updates to users to ensure consistent experience for them.

On another hand, Android apps and app listings can be updated without a human review. They are also fragmented across various phone manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, HTC and Motorola, which gives a customizable experience to the end user.

Now, both of these scenarios come with benefits and disadvantages, and if you ask the users of either iOS or Android, they will tell you it’s exactly what they want. Apple users are usually loyal to the consistent experience across all their devices and any updates that come along, while Android users vouch for the freedom and customizability their devices provide.

This just goes to show that, while all smartphones are similar in their core purpose, each user sees their own smartphone in a unique way.

Android vs. iOS Users: Differences in core demographics

As mentioned earlier, Android currently has the largest global platform share compared to the iOS market share, with a particular prominence in lower income areas and developing nations. Comparatively, iOS users typically have higher income, higher education levels, more engagement, and spend more per app. Of course, that doesn’t mean that those who have those same characteristics won’t own an Android device and will only use iOS devices. Instead, this data is simply indicative of the general Android population.

Men are slightly more likely to be iOS users than women. Android seems to be the most common platform among all age groups, but its edge over iOS was a bit smaller in the 65+ age bracket.

While the age and gender differences of users between platforms probably aren’t significant enough to influence a platform decision for an app, income and location definitely shouldn’t be neglected. As you’ll see below, this can impact actions like in-app purchases and paid subscriptions, which plays a huge role for a business model that relies on such behavior!

Does personality play a role?

Believe it or not, we apparently choose our smartphones based on how introverted or extroverted we are! According to a study, Android users are less extroverted than iPhone users, and they are perceived to have greater levels of honesty and humility.

Android users are also more likely to prefer saving their money and to say they tend to follow, while their iOS counterparts prefer spending their money and they’re more likely to say they tend to lead.

However, I wouldn’t be too concerned about the personality differences when it comes to the platform choice for an app; every user is unique in a much more granular way than a study can show. As long as you focus on your app’s goal and your user’s intent, you’re good to go!

The approach to technology

According to a poll conducted by Hunch.com, iOS users are more likely to be early adopters and to have first used the internet before 1992. They also seem to be loyal to Apple, as they are more than 100% more likely to own a Mac computer compared to Android users.

On the other side of the spectrum, Android users seem to be late adopters and they are less likely to backup their computer. They prefer a full-featured device at the expense of its appearance, and they are more likely to use Yahoo Mail as opposed to owning an email domain associated with work or their website.

Push notifications behavior

It’s fascinating to see that even actions like reacting to push notifications vary so much between Android and iOS users. This will help you benchmark your open rates better based on the device your user is on!

About 3.5% of Android users open push notifications, while just under 1.8% iOS users open them. One of the reasons for this discrepancy may be the fact that push notifications on Android stay visible on the lock screen until the user actions on them. On an iPhone, they disappear after the first screen unlock.

There’s a chance that this exact difference in features causes iOS users to open push notifications quicker. It only takes an average of 7 minutes for an iOS user to respond to a push notification, compared to 48 minutes for Android user. This may indicate a higher quality of interaction when it comes to Apple users.

Acquisition, in-app engagement and retention

Liftoff released an interesting set of data that covers the cost necessary to acquire a mobile user who subscribes to a paid service, as well as the post-install engagement activity.

This data is segmented based on whether the app main goal was registration, reservation, purchase, in-app purchase, or a subscription. Here’s how the cost per acquisition varies between iOS and Android:

iOS vs Android behavior

(source: Liftoff 2016 Mobile Index)

When it comes to user engagement after installing the app, iOS outperforms Android in all the mentioned categories, except for the registrations, where Android has a narrow advantage:

iOS vs Android behavior in app

(source: Liftoff 2016 Mobile Index)

On average, iPhone users engage with their smartphone apps for nine more hours in a given month than Android users.

iPhone owners are sometimes described as smartphone “power users” and tend to engage with more content on average. On another hand, the Android platform has a greater number of media users in each category.

This means you may want to consider whether audience size or engagement is the more important determinant of success for your app. Which one means more to you: a higher number of users, or the users that engage more? A lot will depend on the goal you set for your mobile app.

Consumer spend and mCommerce

As I mentioned earlier, there seems to be a gap between the purchase power of an average iPhone user compared to an Android user.

The median iPhone app user earns $85,000 per year, which is 40% more than the median Android phone user with an annual income of $61,000. And even though Android has far more downloads than iOS, iPhone users spend twice as much as their Android counterparts. Also, in Q1 of 2017, iOS spending jumped 45% year-on-year, while Android’s grew 40%.

The average in-app shopping check is four times higher for an iOS user! If you’d want to develop a mobile shopping app, iOS development would make all the sense. However, Android users love digital utility apps like launchers, anti-virus apps and performance boosters, and they are ready to pay for those and spend on them 5 times more than iOS users.

iPhone owners are also more likely to make purchases on their phones on a regular basis. These are important considerations for both retail app developers and those seeking to monetize via paid apps or in-app purchase. Mobile ads are the main source of revenue generation in Android apps.

Loyalty to a specific platform

When compared to the Google Android user base, iOS users are more loyal and have more spending power. As I touched on briefly earlier, Android users love the openness of the platform and they like to customize their device, while iOS users like to keep their devices straightforward and spend more time on trying out various apps.

It seems that iPhone owners tend to think very highly of their devices, and are likely to remain iPhone users over time as a result of that. And while the percentage of highly satisfied Android owners is fairly high – 48% – it is quite below the 62% of iPhone owners that feel the same about their smartphone.

When to choose which one

With the growth of both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, the ideal development path you can take is hybrid development for both platforms. The majority of apps can work perfectly across both, and it’s easier to build that way upfront, instead of building for one app store and adding the other one over time.

If you’re set on choosing one platform over the other, however, keep the following in mind:

  • Developing for Android makes sense if your target audience is significantly focused on Android, as well as when you’re focusing on customizing Android user experience and adding to the personalization power that Android has
  • iOS first makes sense when your goals align with the consumer spend, high in-app engagement and loyalty that makes iPhone users valuable; Apple has also reduced approval times and the time to market is working to your benefit

Hopefully, this data gave you some insight into your current and/or future app audience. With some significant differences that we covered, you can now look at your engagement rates, in-app behavior and your success measurement with more insight into what lies behind your user’s actions.

Which differences do you find the most relevant to your current or future app development? Let us know!

iOS Developers Guide: Best iOS Development Language to Create iOS Apps

Looking to design your own iOS app, but not sure what programming language to learn?

You’ve started with the right question.

Before you can build iOS apps, you need to decide what programming language you want to code it in.

You see, not all programming languages are created equal, and the results you get are determined in large part by the framework you choose to use.

In this article, I’ll explain exactly what programming language options you have for coding iOS apps. We’ll look at the ups and downs of programming in those languages, and resources for learning them.

Finally, we’ll cover strategies you can use to skyrocket your learning speed and get your app to market in record time.

Think about your app costs. But first, we need to consider a basic question. You see, the “best” iOS programming language to learn depends entirely on the goals you’ve set forth for your app.

So let’s start there: does your app even require you to learn how to code?

How to know if you need to code your app from scratch

Before you start learning a programming language, you need to understand the goals of the app you’d like to develop.

Overview of the mobile app development process

Start by looking at what you hope the app will accomplish. Are you looking to provide additional features for an existing business? Make a side income? Disrupt an industry?

These are all different types of apps, and they have massively different requirements for the time and expertise required.

Based on what you want to do, you can make a general estimate of the total number of hours it’ll take to develop the app.

You can expect a minimum of 300 hours of coding time for a simple app, with the average app taking around twice that.

total hours to develop a mobile app

(Remember this doesn’t include any time spent learning how to code or developing demos. It’s only the actual development process of the final app.)

Next, think about what your personal goals are for the app. There are no right or wrong answers, but you need to be honest with yourself.

Do you aspire to become an app developer, or is this a one-off project? Do you plan on designing a number of apps over the course of the next few years?

Knowing your goals will help you understand the time investment you can put into making the app a reality.

As you’ve seen, there’s a ton of time required to make a good app.

With that barrier in mind, I’d like to honestly put forth our product, BuildFire. It’s a simpler way to design apps quickly. Unlike coding, it uses a drag-and-drop interface that’s easy to use.

Whitelabel service

This isn’t just sales pitch, though. You don’t have to use our software to benefit from this advice.

Here’s the problem I see all the time. Someone has a brilliant idea for an app, and they want to get started immediately by coding it themselves.

After about a week, he or she is overwhelmed with the technology. Many give up, but those who push through spend months rewriting code they hacked out before learning it properly.

Usually, these people either give up entirely or end up outsourcing the project for thousands of dollars.

With BuildFire, you can add dozens of different types of functionalities to your app without worrying about bugs in your code or a new software update making everything obsolete.

BuildFire Mobile App Builder Features

Imagine you wanted to make a nice pasta for dinner, but instead of buying spaghetti you buy flour, eggs, and a pasta maker. Instead of a jar of sauce, you buy tomatoes and basil.

It’ll be a frustrating process to make all your ingredients from scratch. Worse, the final meal won’t be very good. You need practice and experience to make something that tastes good.

Coding an app is no different. I’ve seen too many people’s dreams die because they insist on doing everything themselves.

If you’d rather do it on your own, though, you need to understand the requirements for starting an iOS app development project.

Prerequisites to coding your first app

Before you get started with a language for coding, you’ll need to set up the right tools.

Apple has its own software for building iOS apps called Xcode. It serves as an editor for your code, as well as a debugging tool and way to preview your apps before you launch them.

xcode screen example

Xcode is free to download, but it only runs on Mac computers, Apple platforms, and machines running on the iOS operating system. One of the most powerful modern language features of Xcode is the ability to preview your apps through the system.

Currently, there are over a dozen iOS devices available, and each one takes up less than 20% of the overall market.

iOS Device Breakdowns

This makes app development challenging because different devices have different screen sizes, resolutions and capabilities.

An app that requires a retina screen resolution, camera, or phone capabilities won’t work with every device.

Compounding the problem is the complexity of operating system usage. The most recent data from Apple suggests that about one in nine users is using outdated iOS software.

App Store Support Apple Developer

With all this confusion, Xcode makes the process of app testing easier. You can simulate a variety of devices and operating systems to adjust your development accordingly.

Xcode Apple Developer

If you’re going to be producing apps for the app store through Xcode, you’ll need to subscribe to submit apps. It will cost $99 to get started before you can sell to the app store.

You’ll also need to go through the approval process by Apple before the app becomes available to download or purchase.

This is important when you’re just starting because you’ll need to have an in-depth understanding of Apple’s complex guidelines on font usage, spacing, and other details.

readability text size

As you design, ensure you use best practices and build an app that works well across different devices.

Themes Overview iOS Human Interface Guidelines

Finally, you’ll need to make sure you use Apple’s native controls to make your apps look their best.

interactivity touch controls

These things may sound trivial, but each element plays a role in whether or not your app is approved by Apple.

You must have a good understanding of Apple’s approval guidelines to ensure your hard work gets rejected from the app store at the last minute.

Now that you know what’s required to learn and set up before starting development, let’s dive deep into the languages used to code iPhone apps.

The best languages for coding iOS apps

When it comes down to it, there are really just two languages used for iOS development. The primary languages that dominate are Objective-C and Swift.

best iOS languages to code

Of course, you can use all kinds of different languages to code iOS apps, just like you can use a butter knife instead of a screwdriver to handle household repairs.

But by and large, they require significant workarounds that aren’t worth the effort. Let’s start with the language Apple has supported from the beginning.

Objective-C

When first developing iOS apps, Apple chose the Objective-C language. It was the primary programming language to develop iOS apps for years, and it’s still used today to build iOS apps. This is an object oriented programming language (compared to a dynamic programming language) for mobile apps.

It was licensed by Apple cofounder Steve Jobs when he founded NeXT computers in the 1980s, and he carried the language over to Apple.

Like many other programming languages like C++ and C#, Objective-C is based on the language C.

This means the basic structure and syntax is similar to C, and many of the features will be familiar to programmers who already know C.

Objective C

Objective-C gives you a lot of insight into the way the technical side of programming works, and can also form a sort of bridge should you ever venture into other branches of C.

Objective C Characteristics

However, if you’re going to be designing an iOS app, I honestly can’t recommend starting with Objective-C.

The reason is that in 2014, Apple launched their own programming language known as Swift.

They’ve called it “Objective-C without the C,” and by all appearances prefer programmers use Swift. It’s becoming more widespread, and is the default programming language for iOS apps.

Objective-C isn’t going to disappear,bBut learning Objective-C is like learning how to build carriages at the turn of the century, when you could become an automobile mechanic instead.

Here’s the basics of Swift.

Swift

Swift is one of the most recent additions in a long line of programming languages designed to be better than the previous languages they intend on disrupting.

Swift

Swift is easier to use than Objective-C, and it’s clearly the future of iOS app development. It’s the starting place of anyone developing apps for the iPhone or iPad.

Swift characteristics

Swift boasts some large names using its code, including the Firefox and WordPress iOS apps. As the years progress, large companies will continue to transition to the new language.

It’s a good idea to stay ahead of the curve and get familiar with Swift.

Top apps written in Swift

One of the nicest features of Swift it its ease of use. It cleans up a lot of the technical phrasing and complicated syntax that make Objective-C intimidating for beginners.

Since Swift was designed to be easy to use, it’s been received pretty well in the development community for those very features.

Swift Apple Developer

All the combined has made it one of the fastest growing languages in history.

If you’re going to design an app on your own, you should learn Swift as your programming language. It has the most future, the best prospects, and the full support of Apple.

But before we talk about how you can learn Swift, I’d like to mention something we’ve developed that you might find helpful.

BuildFire Software Development Kit (SDK)

If you’re looking to save massive amounts of time but still want to scratch the programming itch, the BuildFire SDK might be the ticket for you.

BuildFire SDK

While BuildFire comes with plenty of functionality built in, there is an infinite amount of expandability you can create for apps built with the platform.

If you want to create something truly unique and groundbreaking, look no further than the BuildFire SDK. It’s a way to add new plugins and features to your app.

This is a great way to get started form the ground up with a proven system, but enjoy a little bit of programming fun when adding more complex features to your app.

Even better, it uses JavaScript syntax, which is one of the most user-friendly languages in existence.

The BuildFire SDK is a “best of both worlds” option that will save you tons of time in the long-term.

Now that you know which language to learn, how should you get started?

The best resources for learning iOS app development

If you’re just starting out with app development, I don’t recommend learning from scratch. You’ll end up with a piecemeal learning system that lacks basic components.

It’d be like learning architecture just by looking at buildings.

You might be able to create something that looks beautiful, but without understanding the underlying principles, your creations will be worthless or even dangerous.

The same applies to coding. You need to understand how to develop apps the correct way, without leaving your code full of gaping holes and bugs a malicious user can exploit.

Here are three great resources for learning how to code iOS apps.

Codecademy

Codecademy allows you to test out your learning as you go. This is a great way to experiment and get immediate feedback about how well you’re doing.

You can type your code into the browser and Codecademy will let you know if it’s right.

Learn to code Codecademy

Another advantage of Codecademy is that it’s free. You can get started without paying a dime.

Treehouse

Treehouse functions by giving you access to thousands of videos taught by experts in each topic.

You’ll practice your knowledge in quizzes and reviews after the videos. Unlike Codecademy, it isn’t quite as immediate and direct, though you’ll still learn in an organized and systematic way.

Start Learning at Treehouse for Free

It’s a great way to get started with what there is to learn about iOS app development in a friendly environment.

Treehouse is free for a week, then $25/month after that.

Code School

Learn to Code Online with Code School

Code School works in a similar way to Treehouse, with the addition of fun challenges and gamification.

You can earn points and badges and win coding challenges. You’ll be able to interact with other users, which is another features not all coding sites have.

Code School costs $29/month, or $19/month when paid annually.

The program you decide to choose is up to you. I recommend trying out the different platforms and deciding which one fits your style best.

Speeding up the learning process

Let’s wrap things up with some principles you can use to skyrocket your learning and accomplish more in less time.

The simple fact is that if you’re going to make serious progress on your goals, you need to start learning how to program at lightning speed.

App development takes time, and you’ll need to budget in plenty of time to cover for moments when you fall behind.

In addition, remember that it’ll take up to a few weeks to just get your app approved in the Apple store, so keep that in mind when you’re looking for ways to save time.

Differences iOS vs Android

That said, the faster you can learn how to get things done, the better.

This may sound difficult, but as long as you use to the right kinds of principles for learning faster, you can get a lot done.

First, understand that you’ll constantly be tempted to follow a series of unrelated tasks down to reach your ultimate destination, also known as yak shaving.

You by adding share buttons on your app, which requires the Facebook API, which requires rudimentary knowledge of the Facebook Opengraph, which requires metadata knowledge.

Avoid this rabbit trail of leads, and focus only on the fastest way to the functionality you need immediately.

Second, use the Pareto Principle to keep yourself focused on the most important critical tasks for your learning process.

Paretto Principle

Understand what the most important features of your app are, and focus on those. Don’t worry about exporting data to CSV if there’s no way to add data to the app yet.

Third, understand the fundamentals behind app development.

Every type of app requires a few of the basics. Learn how to set up the general framework needed for nearly every type of app, then build on that with specific knowledge.

Understanding the broad scope of app development will help you much more than learning miscellaneous pieces about different functions you may or may not ever use again.

With that in mind, you can set about learning as much as possible as quickly as possible, and get your app designed and to market with minimal hassle.

The final word on coding languages for iOS apps

In this article, you’ve learned the basics for getting started with your iOS app.

You’ve learned that coding your own app isn’t the easiest, fastest, or cheapest way to get your app to market.

Coding an iOS app yourself, especially if you’re new to development, is tedious and time-consuming.

It can be fun if you’re casually looking to pick up an interesting hobby on the side, and it’s vital if you want a career in the world of app development.

But if you’re looking at coding as a means to an end (like bringing an app idea to life), you’ll find the process of learning to code frustrating, and you’ll almost certainly fall behind schedule.

You’ll also need to learn the background behind development. You’ll need to learn how to code, use new software, and get set up with Apple’s strict app development guidelines.

If you’re looking to bring an app idea to life quickly, I recommend looking for a simpler framework to start with.

But for those positive coding is the right option, we’ve covered the two most common languages used in coding apps: Objective-C and Swift. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but since Swift is the preferred language of Apple and is quickly gaining popularity, it’s the natural starting point.

To speed up the coding process, I recommend you go with an interactive training program like  Codecademy, Treehouse, and Code School. Those sites will give you the skills you need, while providing direct and immediate feedback that will make your coding skills stand out more quickly.

In addition to the information related to iOS app developing, don’t overlook building mobile apps for Android. Without Android mobile apps, you’ll be neglecting a huge portion of the market. So try to learn a language that will also translate to Android app development. Look for the most versatile programming languages to build cross platform apps beyond Apple operating systems and native iOS apps.

Finally, you should look to focus on the aspects of coding most relevant to your app development.

Don’t waste time on the few aspects that aren’t really that important. To get your app to market fast, focus on the biggest features that will help create an app your users will love.

Now, get out there and design the app of your dreams!

How to Get The First 1000 REAL Apple App Store Downloads [FAST]

Congratulations!

You’ve successfully built your first mobile application.

After long months of testing, coding, trial, and error, it’s finally complete.

Now what?

You need users to start downloading your app.

Unfortunately, apps don’t always promote themselves.

You’ll need to come up with a launch strategy.

So if you just released your app and came to the realization that nobody is downloading it, don’t worry – all hope isn’t lost.

I can show you some powerful strategies to boost mobile app downloads.

Here are some of the most popular apps available on the market today.

most popular apps

Don’t get me wrong.

I’m not saying you need to try and compete with Facebook or YouTube to have a successful promotion strategy.

The graph can just give you an idea of which kinds of apps people like to download the most.

It’s never a bad idea to model your approach after companies with proven success stories and track records.

There is lots of misleading information out there on the Internet.

I’ve seen so many “helpful guides” on this same topic that don’t provide any actual techniques.

It’s just a bunch of generic suggestions.

As an industry expert, I’ll show you proven methods and data to back it all up.

If your new app is struggling, here are the best ways to get REAL downloads – fast.

First, figure out exactly why you even want build an app

Let’s backtrack for a second here.

Not everyone has already completed the app building process.

Some of you are still coming up with ideas and designs.

Why are you building an app?

Here are some potential scenarios.

  • Because it’s cool
  • You need an app to make your business more efficient
  • It’s a new way to monetize your business
  • You’re trying to build the next unicorn (like Tinder, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)

Except for the first bullet point, the rest of these scenarios are valid reasons.

OK – so “being cool” may be your initial motivation for wanting to get involved in the mobile application industry, but it’s not enough to get started.

If you need some inspiration to get the ball rolling, take a look at which kinds of apps people spend the most time using.

app category

This is useful information to those of you who want to build the next unicorn as well.

The top categories that encompass the most time spent on mobile apps are:

  1. Social networks
  2. Music
  3. Multimedia

There may be a lot of big name competition in this space, but it could be a home run if you’re successful.

If you already have an existing business, mobile applications can be a great way to improve your current concept.

You can also incorporate a monetization strategy into your app.

What’s monetization?

It’s a process that converts existing traffic to revenue.

Websites do this by implementing advertising strategies such as:

  • Pay per click (PPC)
  • Cost per impression (CPI/CPM)
  • Banner advertisements
  • Affiliate programs
  • Data monetization

You can apply some of these concepts to your app as well.

But let’s take a look at some of the most successful driving forces for in-app revenue.

in app revenue

Take this into consideration when you’re determining why you want to build an app.

Regardless of your reason, you need to get this straightened out before you start worrying about downloads.

Once that’s done, you can proceed with your launch strategy.

Understanding the iPhone App Store algorithm

To get lots of downloads, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the Apple App Store algorithm.

Here’s a comparison you can probably relate to.

If you have a website, you’re always trying to optimize your page to get a high ranking on Google’s search engine.

That’s pretty much the same concept here.

We want to make sure your app is a top hit on iOS platforms.

Similar to Google, Apple doesn’t release an exact blueprint that describes specifically what you need to do in order to get a high ranking.

You’ve got to read between the lines to figure it out.

It’s an imperfect formula, but the Apple developers share some pointers.

Here’s what you need to know.

It all starts with the name.

Make sure the name of your app:

  • Has less than 30 characters
  • Is easy to spell
  • Indicates what the app does
  • Doesn’t have a similar name of an existing app

Focus on the features and functionality when you’re coming up with a subtitle and description.

Your description shouldn’t say “The best app on the planet.”

Instead, write about some of your top features and make sure users fully understand the purpose of its functions.

Here’s an example from TypeShift.

typeshift

The title and subtitle both describe what the app does.

Make sure you assign an accurate primary category for your app.

The category is the best way for users to find you based on what they’re looking for.

Examples of categories include:

  • Games
  • News
  • Music
  • Social Networking
  • Travel
  • Photo & Video
  • Health & Fitness
  • Entertainment
  • Medical
  • Education

Here’s something else to consider, if you select a primary category that’s irrelevant to your app’s functions, Apple will reject you from the App Store.

Let’s say you have an educational app.

But you know (based on the statistics we saw earlier) that social networks are more popular.

You might think you’re being slick if you choose to assign social networking as the primary category.

Big mistake.

Apple sees this as grounds for removal.

Obviously, you can’t get downloads if your app isn’t available.

Another way to get ranked high in the App Store is by promoting your in-app purchases.

in app purchases

Here’s how TypeShift promotes those upgrade options.

For $1.99 users can get started with 180 primo puzzles.

Apple encourages developers to include in-app purchases in their design.

If you’re not sure how to do this, take a look at this guide for setting up in-app purchases on BuildFire’s control panel.

It’s really easy to do, so don’t exclude it from your app.

Apple allows you to promote up to 20 total items on your in-app purchases page of the description.

Ratings are important as well.

First off, users may be discouraged from downloading your app if it’s got negative reviews.

But furthermore, the Apple App Store algorithm factors these ratings and reviews into your search ranking.

Your app must create a positive experience for the user.

Once they have time to get used to your platform, send them a notification asking for a review.

Take the user feedback into consideration whenever you’re updating your app.

Understanding the basic concepts behind Apple’s algorithm will make it easier for users to find you in the App Store.

Ultimately, this will help you get more downloads.

Figure out exactly what it takes to get to 1000 downloads(or whatever target you are aiming for)

So how many downloads do you want?

Sure, 1,000 would be great. But 10,000 is better.

You can use the concept of quant-based marketing to predict this execution.

Here’s how it works.

Think backward.

Don’t look at it as an uphill climb from zero.

Instead, start with the number of downloads you’re aiming for and work in reverse.

So the first step of this process involves coming up with your goal.

Just makes sure it’s legitimate and realistic. Set a reasonable time frame.

Think about your target market as well.

app hours age

What audience are you going to focus your launch strategy around?

Based on this data, people between the ages of 18 and 24 are the only group that spends over 3 hours a day using mobile digital media.

Users aged 25 to 34 have the second highest daily usage.

With that in mind, it’s a smart idea to target these groups.

What’s your customer acquisition strategy?

Here are some suggestions you may want to consider.

  • Search engine marketing (SEM)
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Social media marketing (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • Public relations
  • Content marketing
  • Influencer marketing
  • Direct sales
  • Blogs

It’s totally acceptable to choose more than one of these options.

In fact, I highly recommend that you use a combination of these methods.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Diversifying your launch strategy through different marketing channels will increase the chances of getting more downloads.

That’s exactly what we want to accomplish.

Continue reading, and I’ll give you some more details about the strategies that have high success rates.

Get influencers and big blogs to mention your app (even with no money)

If you’ve maxed out your budget during the development stages of this app, you might be worried about finding the funds for advertising.

Fortunately, you can try and get big blogs and other influencers to pitch your app without giving them any money.

But before you can do that, you need to look for the most relevant results.

Use a website like Buzzsumo.

buzzmo

Their platform can help you search for the top blogs that are related to your app.

Earlier we talked about the importance of finding the right primary category for your app on the Apple App Store.

Search for that same category on Buzzsumo and see what kind of results you get.

For example, let’s say your app is in the health and fitness category.

If you search for “health blogs” the results will look like this.

buzzmo2

This is a great place to start.

You’ve got the top 2 most shared links in the last year about this topic.

Play around with the filters to narrow the results.

You can sort this data by the shared source (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) or by date.

Now you’ve got to reach out to these sources directly.

Don’t be intimidated.

Sure, they’re going to be helping you out if they feature your app on their blog, but you’re doing them a favor as well.

These sites are always looking to provide their readers with fresh information about the industry.

That’s what keeps people coming back.

So send an email.

Email is the preferred method of communication for 81% of writers.

Keep it short and be direct.

Here’s some information you should include in the message:

  • You’re full name
  • The name of your company
  • The name of your app (if it’s different than your company’s name)
  • A link to your website
  • Short description of the app’s functionality
  • Why you’re better than competitors in this space
  • The status of your app (have you launched yet?)

Contact as many relative blogs and influencers as possible.

You don’t have to offer any money or incentive other than the relevancy to the category they cover.

Don’t be discouraged if not everyone jumps on board.

But keep sending out these messages, and I’m sure you’ll get featured in several legitimate publications.

It’s a great source for downloads.

The blog readers will take the advice of the authors if they faithfully read and trust the websites.

Run pay per install campaigns

If you’re willing to spend some money, you may want to consider a pay per install strategy.

The publisher gets charged based on the number of downloads for the app.

This strategy increases your exposure in the App Store, which can lead to more downloads.

Here’s the average CPI based on your country.

cpi country

Let’s break this information down a little bit further.

We’ll focus on the United States.

For our purposes, we only want to look at the Apple App Store.

Here’s what it looks like.

looks like

This may not be the most cost-efficient way to get downloads, but it could be one of the most effective.

So run the numbers and see if this customer acquisition cost can still be profitable for your app.

If you combine this method with other strategies, like contacting influencers and big blogs, your marketing budget can still be reasonable.

Here are some places to look at as a promotional channels for your pay per install strategy.

Check out some of these platforms and see which ones you think would be the most beneficial for your company.

Keep your target audience in mind when you’re choosing an advertisement platform.

Use email marketing tactics

Not all mobile applications are for a completely new business.

As we discussed earlier, you may be building an app to monetize your business or make it more efficient.

Take advantage of your existing resources.

You don’t have to start from scratch.

If your business has a current customer base, contact these people.

Send them an email about your new app and let them know how it will improve their customer experience.

Here’s a great example of this approach from Walgreens.

walgreens

So come up with an effective email campaign and reach out to your current list of subscribers.

Since these people are already familiar with you and your company, they will be more apt to download your mobile application.

That’s especially true if you give them an incentive and it enhances the user experience.

SMS marketing

Instead of just sending an email, try sending a text message to your customers as well.

If you have their phone numbers in an existing database, you can send them information if they’re signed up to receive alerts.

Include a promotion in the text message.

“Receive 20% off your next purchase if you download our app.”

Something to that effect should do the trick.

Find an SMS marketing company like Slicktext to get started.

slicktext

Platforms like this make it super easy to contact your customers via mass messaging.

It’s an effective way to get more downloads.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve built your first mobile application, it’s time to start getting people to download it.

Unfortunately, this won’t happen if you just sit back, launch the app, and do nothing.

You’ll need to come up with an effective launch strategy.

You should keep this strategy in mind from day one when you’re figuring out why you want to build an app in the first place.

Whether you want to be the next big hit like Instagram, or you’re trying to monetize your current business, you’ve got to get downloads in order to be successful.

Make sure you put lots of emphasis on the Apple App Store algorithm when you’re trying to get downloads.

apple downloads

The graphic shows how many billions of downloads happen on Apple’s App Store each month.

That number continues to grow, so there’s a huge opportunity for you here.

Focus on:

  • The name of your app
  • Subtitle
  • Description
  • Primary category
  • Reviews
  • In-app purchases

Use the quant-based marketing strategy to come up with a plan.

Start with your goal.

How many downloads are you trying to get?

What’s the time frame you’re going to get these downloads in?

Who is your target audience?

Once you answer these questions, you can proceed with your marketing strategies.

If you’re on a tight budget, reach out to big blogs and other influencers.

Contact them directly and ask if they will feature your app in a blog.

You can also run a pay per install campaign on various platforms.

If you’re an existing business with a database of customer email addresses and phone numbers, take advantage of these resources.

Use email marketing and SMS marketing techniques to promote your app and get more downloads.

If you follow these tactics, you’ll be on your way to 1,000 or even 10,000 real downloads in no time at all.

What kind of in-app purchases will you offer to increase your ranking based on the Apple App Store algorithm?

How to Become a Mobile App Developer (Beginner’s Guide to App Development)

Everyone wants to make the next great mobile application.

It can be an extremely profitable way to make some money if you know what you’re doing.

If you’ve got a great mobile app idea and decided to consult with a developer or an app development company, you may have been surprised to hear how costly it is to outsource development.

So that’s when the thought hit you, “I can just do learn to do this myself.”

I can relate.

It’s the reason why I studied code and started building mobile apps.

But where do you start?

Depending on your current situation and intentions, there are a few different routes you can go.

I’ll make sure to cover all of these scenarios throughout this complete beginner guide to mobile app development.

We’ll even cover topics like how to estimate the cost of building mobile apps.

While the development process for building mobile and web apps may sound intimidating, it’s really just like anything else. If you practice and put the time in, it will get much easier.

Plus, it helps to have some guidance from an expert in the field (that’s where I come in).

Here’s everything you need to know to become a developer and make your own apps.

So…why do you want to become a mobile app developer?

OK. So you’re probably aware of how popular mobile apps are.

But just how many apps are there?

Let’s take a look at some information from Statista.

Apps numbers

Don’t be intimidated by the number of apps available across different mobile platforms.

Sure, you’ll have some competition, but the majority of these likely won’t be in your industry.

Plus, lots of apps out there are complete duds.

You won’t have to worry about competing against those either.

With that said, it’s important that you have a clear goal before you become a developer.

Here are a few common scenarios:

  • You want to build your own startup company
  • You’re trying to be a freelancer or run a mobile app development shop (mobile development services are in high demand)
  • You are a business owner that doesn’t have the funds to outsource app development
  • You’re an aspiring citizen developer

Chances are, you fall somewhere within these examples. Regardless of your scenario, it’s worth noting that mobile app developers come in all different shapes and sizes. Throughout the development world, there’s a high demand for iOS and Android app development, along with development needs for multiple platforms, including hybrid mobile apps. There are Android developers who double as web developers. If you follow this path, you can learn to build a web app and Android apps simultaneously.

Let’s say you have the next big idea.

You want to take that concept and build an app to become the next Snapchat or Instagram.

If you fall into this category, I sincerely admire your ambition.

This won’t be an easy route, but if you’re successful, it could potentially be the most profitable.

In this case, you’ll need to learn how to do everything from scratch.

You’ll also want to consider how you plan to make money from your app.

Relying on paid downloads might not be your best option.

In fact, the majority of mobile applications are available for free.

free vs paid apps

So before you dive in head first, make sure you think about your strategy for generating a profit.

For those of you that want to be a freelance app builder or start your own app store, this isn’t something you need to worry about.

You’ll make money by charging clients to build apps for them.

If you’ve got the marketing skills as well, you can double as a consultant and charge more for your services.

In this case, it’s probably not the worst idea for you to know some different strategies to make money.

Or you can just stick to familiarizing yourself with the best tools for mobile app designers.

Let’s talk about the business owners who want to build an app as an extension of their current brand, business, or website.

What’s your budget?

The majority businesses plan to budget between $250,000 and $500,000 over the next 12 to 18 months.

app budget allocation

Does this sound too high to you?

It’s not.

Your location is relevant to how much it’s going to cost to develop your app.

If you’re located in North America, expect to pay roughly $150 per hour if you’re planning to hire someone to build your iOS mobile app.

median cost of iOS apps

So unless you’re planning to take a trip to Indonesia, it won’t be inexpensive.

On average, an app will take about 7-9 months to build and cost you about $270,000.

That’s an unrealistic number for some businesses.

Your company may not even be able to secure a $200,000 line of credit, never mind pay over $250,000 for an app.

So what’s the solution?

Follow my guide, and I’ll show you the most cost effective ways to develop your own app if you don’t have the funds to pay someone else to do it.

Option #1: Just learn how to code everything

If you want to become a mobile app developer, learning to code is your first option.

It’s not required for everyone, but for some of you, this will be the best route.

I’m speaking to those of you who want to build the next Instagram or Snapchat.

Here’s the good news, you don’t need to go back to school to learn code.

There are some great resources online that teach you how to code for free.

I’ll show you my favorite ones.

Team Treehouse offers a free trial for a week to new users.

So you can learn to code from your own computer, anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.

Here’s how their system works.

They have thousands of videos to teach users the basics of coding.

After you watch the videos, you’ll take quizzes to test your knowledge.

Then, Team Treehouse gives you the tools needed to practice coding with interactive challenges.

The platform is super clean and really easy to use, especially for beginners.

Code Academy is another one of my favorites.

code academy

Their platform also has interactive tools that will teach you the coding basics for your mobile application.

Let’s take a step back for a minute.

Before you commit the time and teach yourself how to code, you should learn the basics of developing a minimum viable product (MVP).

Are you familiar with the lean startup methodology?

It’s a solution for shortening the cycles of product development.

Why should you consider this?

In short, it can save you money in the big picture.

Here’s a scenario.

A company has a great idea for a product, or in your case, a mobile application.

You could spend months or potentially years perfecting the app and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop it.

Then your big moment comes – it’s finally launch day.

All your hard work is about to pay off, right?

Not necessarily.

The consumer market could reject the idea, and your startup fails.

So, rather than asking yourself, “Can I build this app?” ask, “Should I build this app?”

Here’s a visual representation of this cycle.

app building cycle

You’ll constantly conduct research and get customer feedback throughout the process.

That way you can make the necessary changes along the way to minimize any inefficiency before a large-scale release.

Using the learn startup methodology will also let you know early on if you should continue developing your app or just cut your losses and avoid major failure.

  1. Build
  2. Measure
  3. Learn

If you can do these three things continuously, it’s worth it to learn how to code for your startup company.

Option #2: Use app builders

App builders are perfect for existing business owners who want to use a mobile application to enhance their company. It’s the best option if you want to launch an app fast.

You may not have the budget to pay over $200,000 for someone else to build it for you.

Learning how to code probably isn’t an option either due to the time constraints of running a company.

App builders are also ideal for entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to make some money building apps for other businesses.

Both of these scenarios require zero coding skills if you find the right app maker.

So where do you start?

Look for existing templates and examples of generic applications.

I know I’m biased (obviously) but BuildFire has tons of great templates to fit your business.

buildfire

Regardless of your business type or industry, you’ll be able to find a template to get you started.

You could always design a template from scratch, but personally, I think it’s much easier to work off of an existing design.

So what space is your company in?

  • Ecommerce
  • Restaurant
  • Entertainment
  • Real Estate
  • Small Business
  • Non profit

The options go on and on.

For those of you who want to build apps for other businesses, app building tools like this give you the option to work with multiple templates all on the same platform.

It’s easy.

So you won’t need to learn how to code, you’ll just have to get good at navigating through the website and figure out what works best for your clients.

Then you can just white label the app to make money by selling it to the businesses you’re working with.

Let’s take this one step further.

What if your clients want customized features that aren’t in the generic templates?

Not a problem.

Take advantage of BuildFire’s pro services team.

buildfire pro service

Reach out directly to our experts.

We’ll spend one on one time with you to figure out exactly what you’re looking for.

Once everything is decided on, we build the app for you.

Then you can just resell it to your clients make a profit without having to do the bulk of the work.

This is ideal for people who have a large list of clients.

If you have to do all of the work yourself, it’s nearly impossible to scale.

So here’s your solution.

Use the BuildFire white labeling service.

Buildfire white label service

We build the apps, and you can sell it branded as your own.

That way you can spend the majority of your time and effort to get new customers.

You might make fewer margins, but this system is much more scalable.

Over time, this model is sustainable and will generate long-term profitability.

Option #3: Use app builders and some coding (using BF SDK)

The third choice for becoming a mobile app developer involves a combination of our last two options.

You can use an app building service and use some coding.

I’m referring to the BuildFire software development kit.

Instead of having our team build the app for you, this kit can teach you how to build it yourself.

Once you learn how to add custom features for your clients, you’ll be able to generate more profit.

Now, this will take more time and effort compared to our last option, but it all depends on your personal preference.

You may not be able to work with as many clients, but you’ll have higher margins on each project.

Using app builders and coding like the BuildFire SDK will also give you the opportunity to build plugins.

What’s a plugin?

It’s an added extension to an existing application.

They add more functionality to the user experience and can help generate more profits.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say you have an ecommerce business and want to develop a mobile app for your company.

You can use the Shopify plugin to add features to your store.

shopify integration

You’ll have different options while navigating the SDK.

You can add:

  • 3rd party developer plugins
  • Plugins created by BuildFire
  • Customized plugins built on your own

If you’re going to take the time to learn some code through an app builder, you should consider including a plugin with your designs.

Conclusion

Becoming a mobile app developer is much easier than it sounds.

Depending on your situation, you’ve got lots of options to choose from.

Learning how to build mobile apps are ideal for people who:

  • Want to build their own startup company
  • Are trying to create apps for other businesses
  • Own a business and can’t afford to outsource development

Virtually everyone today has their mobile devices within an arm’s reach. Most of us sleep with a mobile device next to our head every night.

How do people spend time on their phone?

time spent on apps

They’re using mobile apps. This graphic reinforces how important it is for you to get involved in this space.

There’s a tremendous opportunity for profit in the mobile app development field.

If you’re trying to launch a startup company, it’s in your best interest to learn how to code everything from scratch.

That’s not necessarily the easiest route, but it’s the most realistic.

Fortunately, you won’t have to go back to school to do this.

There are plenty of online tools like the options that we discussed earlier that can teach you how to code from your own computer.

App builders are perfect for business owners who don’t have the funds to pay a developer.

Just look for a generic template based on your industry and add the features you need.

For a more customized experience, you can work with the BuildFire pro services team directly.

If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to make money by selling apps to other businesses, take advantage of the white labeling services.

We’ll build your app.

All you have to do is brand it yourself and sell it to your clients.

This will give you a chance to grow your client list and scale your revenue stream.

But, if you want to learn the app development process from an app builder, just download the software development kit.

You can also learn how to add plugins to generate more profits.

Which option will you choose on your path to becoming a mobile app developer?