Mobile applications are a worthwhile investment for any business. Statistically, up to 87% of users prefer smartphones to laptops, desktop computers, and other devices. Between browsers and apps, over 80% of users choose the latter.
It is also clear that, as a result of the outstanding popularity of mobile technology, the application market is fiercely competitive. According to Statista, there are over 1,400 iOS apps released every day. That’s why simply building an outstanding application just won’t cut it. The real task is spreading the word about it so that people actually want to download the app.
In this post, we’ll share 11 simple yet efficient app store optimization tips you can use to spread the word about your upcoming release.
11 Steps To Promote an App
1. Create a landing page with all the information about the upcoming release
Before the app even gets released, it’s important to let people know what the application will be about. A landing page is a good way to introduce your project to the world in a concise way.
Here are a few design page tips to create a compelling landing page for app promotion.
- Discreet content. You have a lot to say about your app that’s near and dear to your heart. However, the world only needs to hear the essence of your project. Highlight all the important points by using headings, subheadings, and CTA buttons.
- Use forms. They are a good way to collect essential information from your website visitors and turn them into potential daily active users. While designing a lead generation form, keep in mind that less is more. Request only the necessary information – name and email. You might consider asking for a birth date as well if the application displays age-sensitive content.
2. Start the list of beta-testers
Now that you have a list of emails left by potential users, it’s time to put them to good use. Start by creating an email list with app-related content and send it out on a regular basis. This way, you’ll be able to build the core audience that is willing to test the app and, if needed, and promote it on their social media.
3. Pitch tech blogs to spread the word about your app
Reaching out to tech blogs with your app’s presentation is highly important. For one thing, collecting press mentions will prove useful when looking for investors. Also, it’ll be a possibility for developers to test the quality of the app to a crowd of professional developers. For you, it might seem that the platform you’re launching is awesome. Yet, a crowd that’s seen dozens of such apps might be a tad more reluctant.
4. Start a blog to generate heat
One of the easiest ways to seamlessly promote your application is by starting a blog. It takes some creativity to plan your posts out; however, once you get to think about it, there are a ton of directions to take with your blog. You can share industry tips, give updates on your development process, interview trendsetters and opinion leaders. Running a blog helps a developer get a better grip on the industry and your audience.
5. Create a video where you talk about the app
They say it’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. It’s especially true while promoting a new mobile app. While writing texts and emails are all good ways to spread awareness about your future application, what is a better way to explain your awesome project than talking about it on camera?
Creating 1-2 minute videos is social-media friendly. This content gets good organic reach on Facebook, can be promoted on Youtube and, all in all can get your audience more invested in the product.
6. Promote the app on social media
Social media is an extremely powerful tool. As much as one channel, if used wisely, can be a boost of downloads, brand awareness, and lay a solid foundation for a united community.
The thing to remember about using social media is that you should do it wisely. Simply pasting the links from your website is not enough to raise engagement. Instead, come up with a content plan. Be interesting. Engaging. Have your own voice and not be afraid to raise it.
7. Pitch bloggers to ask for app reviews
If you’re not big on a budget, it might be challenging to quickly promote the app via social media. At no doubt, the investment will pay off with time. However, for those looking forward to getting earned media, pitching bloggers to get free app reviews is a good idea. In our experience, most bloggers do answer emails.
However, submitting an app for a review, be ready to hear criticism as well as praise. You have to be extremely confident in your product before you pitch the future app to bloggers.
8. Apply to development contests and awards
Reaching out to clients is a tough job seeing they are not always big on following the latest tech trends. The crowd of developers, on the contrary, is more eager to discuss new projects. Consider pitching your future app to tech competition. For one thing, it’ll come in handy while looking for investors. Also, there’s a chance to win a cash prize.
9. Create an app store optimization strategy
When you managed to spread the word about your app, you might hope to get app store visitors. In order to turn these visitors into users, make sure to enhance your ASO (App Store Optimization) strategy. That means adding app screenshots to the app store, optimizing your icon, and app title. It’s a good idea to add multilingual descriptions to broaden your audience.
10. Throw a release party
There’s a new trend among aspiring startuppers – to throw app launch parties. While it might be quite expensive, such gathering is a possibility to make industry contacts, invite press, and say “thank you” to most active app users.
If your app is crowdfunded, consider inviting the biggest investors to thank them for support in person.
11. Once the app is out, encourage users to get reviews
It takes work to plan out, build, and release an app. Once this work is done, you can be proud. However, it’s just the beginning of the long way – now, you need to build a strong trust profile for your app.
The best way to do it is by encouraging users to leave reviews. Offer different ways to share opinions – via App Store or Google Play Market, via social media, on Youtube, on the website, on review aggregators like Product Hunt and Capterra, and many more.
For every review, a user can be encouraged by getting access to premium features, social media coverage, etc.
Conclusions
With the rise of mobile technology, it’s clear that developing an application is worth giving a shot. However, the market is quite competitive which is why a business owner would have to work a lot to get the final product out there. There are a lot of strategies to try out. We’ve only listed eleven – you can come up with over a hundred. Promoting an app takes a ton of time and effort. But be sure to remember – hard work always brings new users in.