Key Takeaways
- Initial Launch: Releasing your app is just the beginning; proactive strategies are needed for downloads.
- Quality Matters: High-quality apps attract more users and retain them better.
- Community Engagement: Joining developer communities can provide valuable insights and support.
- Beta Testing: Testing different versions helps ensure a smooth user experience.
- Creative Marketing: Innovative marketing strategies can significantly boost app visibility.
Ensure quality first
Think of your app like a product or service. Nobody wants to use something if there’s a higher quality alternative at an equal or better price point. So don’t cut corners when you’re coming up with the concept and design.| Aspect | iOS Users | Android Users |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to Acquire | Lower | Higher |
| User Loyalty | Moderate | High |
| Quality Sensitivity | Moderate | High |
It costs more money for Android to establish long-term loyal users.
This is important information to know when considering quality.
Why?
Because based on this information, it’s safe to say that users on that operating system care even more about quality.
Sure, it may cost more to acquire and retain them initially, but you can end up getting a much higher return on this investment if your quality outperforms the competition.
Your app needs to be the best version that it can possibly be.
Always strive to make improvements and fix any bugs that could impair the user experience.
Quality speaks for itself.
If you establish a superior app, the rest of these tips will be even easier for you to follow and incorporate into your marketing plan.
Join communities with other app developers
There’s nothing wrong with taking advice or getting help from your peers. For example, I’m a member of the Young Entrepreneur Council.
Being part of this community means I can chat with my peers and get advice.
Don’t look at everyone in your industry as a competitor.
Just because you’re consulting with someone who also has an app on the Google Play Store, it doesn’t mean that you both can’t help each other out.
Depending on the functionality of your app, it may have absolutely nothing to do with the target market of someone else in a certain community.
So take the advice from people who paved the way and already had success in this space.
With time, maybe you can return the favor and help other developers by sharing some of your insights to success.
A community that’s directly related to getting downloads is the Mobile Growth Organization.
Users on this discussion board have helpful tips about getting downloads for new mobile apps.
Consider joining this community as a helpful resource.
You can also get some experts to critique your app.
This goes back to what we discussed earlier about quality.
Users who download your app may not give you any feedback if they’re not happy with your app’s performance.
They’ll simply move on and delete it or just not use it.
But if you consult with someone in your community, they can help you make changes to improve the quality and performance.
Do beta testing
Let’s take the concept of critiquing performance one step further. Beta testing is a great way to accomplish this. It’s also important to do this when you’re trying to compare different versions of your software. Before you release an updated version, make sure that it runs smoothly by getting beta testers to try it out. Here’s a tip to consider when looking for beta users. Don’t source them all from one location. Use different platforms to get a variety of testers to avoid bias. While testing is important, nothing is perfect. You don’t want to waste too much time and money on these tests. Set up a private community board where all of your testers can discuss the app amongst themselves and provide feedback directly to you. These discussions should not be made for public viewing.Get creative with your marketing strategy
Just because you’re a developer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t let your creative juices flow. Check out this shirt from The Yellow Pages that was used to promote their new app.
So do whatever it takes to spread the word.
If your app is an extension of an already existing company, use all of those marketing channels to make your existing customer base aware of your newest feature.
Companies that have a physical brick and mortar location can host an event and give away some free pizza or beer to give people an incentive to show up.
If you’re an ecommerce website or your business doesn’t have a physical address, no problem.
You can still host an event by renting out space at a restaurant or other venue.
Just make sure it’s relevant to your brand.
For example, if you’re selling skateboard equipment online, it doesn’t make sense to host your event in Minnesota during the winter.
But giving away free merchandise throughout boardwalks in Southern California is a viable marketing strategy to spread the word.
Stay active on social media platforms
Again, if your app is for an existing business, you probably have social profiles already set up. Use those channels to inform your followers about the app. For those of you who created a completely new business with your app, you’ll need to build social media profiles right away.- YouTube
Your company can’t afford to miss out on such vast marketing opportunity.
Look where YouTube ranks on this list.
Are you surprised that it has more monthly active users than Twi
tter, Instagram, and Snapchat combined?
Video content is taking over the Internet.
In 2016, 73% of Internet traffic came from videos.
It’s what consumers want to see.
So come up with video advertisements and demonstrations to promote your app.
Publish the videos on YouTube and then distribute them on all of your social media channels.
Both Facebook and Instagram also give you the opportunity to stream live videos.
This is a great way to keep your viewers engaged.
Get them involved with the video session.
Give them an actionable reason to go download your app.
You can even run a contest or sweepstakes through your social media pages or live video streams to entice your audience to download the app on their mobile devices.
All of this is great PR for your brand helps spread the word about your app.
That’s what’s so great about social media.
Even peop| App Store | Keyword Strategy |
|---|---|
| Apple App Store | Uses keywords to display your app by category |
| Google Play Store | Allows a long description filled with keywords |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I improve my app’s visibility on the Google Play Store?
Improving your app’s visibility involves optimizing your app’s title, description, and keywords.
What are effective marketing strategies for increasing app downloads?
Creative marketing strategies such as hosting events or leveraging social media can significantly boost app visibility.
How important is beta testing for app success?
Beta testing is crucial as it helps identify bugs and improve user experience before the official launch.
How can joining developer communities benefit my app?
Joining developer communities provides valuable insights and support from peers, helping you improve your app and increase downloads.
What is a key difference between Apple App Store and Google Play Store keyword strategies?
The Apple App Store uses keywords to display apps by category, while Google Play Store allows a long description filled with keywords.
How should I write my app description for the Google Play Store?
Your app description should be filled with keywords but written in human terms without sounding too click baity.