One of the realities that many app developers quickly discover, is that having a great app doesn’t necessarily mean that users will be arriving in droves. It’s not a simple case of, “If you build it, they will come.” Unfortunately, there is a glut of apps out there, and if you don’t take proactive steps to promote, market and get the word out regarding your product, then your creation may get swallowed up by all that noise. Thankfully, there are many avenues for promoting your app. Here are seven to consider.
1. Create a Website for Your App
It’s important to start with the fundamentals. This may seem like an obvious step to take, but it’s actually surprising to find that many app developers don’t stop to create a site that’s devoted to their app. The important thing here is that when people run a Google search for your app name or related keywords, they have the chance to find a site that’s completely within the developer control. This website can be a great place to provide answers to common questions, testimonials from satisfied users, glowing reviews from tech blogs, and other positive things that revolve around your app.
2. Harness the Power of Social Media
Again, this is another fundamental step to take, but it’s one that many app developers don’t maximize. Now, social media is a double-edged sword. It allows positive word-of-mouth to spread rapidly, but the same is also true for complaints and negative feedback. So keep in mind that a Facebook page, Twitter account, or other social media presence isn’t just a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Instead, these accounts need to be kept active with regular content. In addition, regular conversations need to be maintained with users on social media, to emphasize the positive feedback they provide, as well as to respond in a sincere and effective way to negative feedback.
3. Address Negative Feedback Quickly
This is one of those things that needs to be dealt with in a timely manner. Admittedly, this can be rather labour-intensive, but keep in mind that this is both a problem as well as an opportunity. Negative feedback that is neglected can snowball into a cacophony of complaints, and a virtual mob of disaffected users. On the other hand, if you can turn an unhappy customer into a satisfied one, by addressing the problem, by offering a refund, or something similar, you just might end up with another voice willing to tell others just how great a developer you are.
4. Create a Blog and Become an Expert
Another step to consider is attaching a blog to your website, which focuses not just on your app, but on what your app is all about. The idea here is to eventually become recognized as someone who knows his or her stuff about a particular topic or field. For example, if you came up with an app that helps novices improve their bar tending skills, expand the reach of your blog to cover bar tending in general. Over at the Quick Mobile Fix blog, we’re looking to cover not just mobile repairs, but also other topics, such as mobile’s role in e-commerce and marketing. This will allow people who are interested in the topic, but not really looking for an app, to discover both your blog, your expertise, and then your app.
5. Work Those Press Releases
It can be hard to be a tech journalist, always looking for something new to write about. So help journalists and bloggers out, and also help yourself, by making it a point to distribute press releases, when you release an app, provide a new feature, or do some other thing that can be considered noteworthy. Remember that your press releases have to offer news that is interesting, compelling and worth sharing.
6. Use Reddit
There’s a reason Reddit calls itself the front page of the internet. It offers the opportunity to get a whole lot of eyeballs on an article, web page or other online content. The trick is to do so without rubbing the Reddit audience the wrong way. So be sure to check the rules of each specific subreddit. For example, the Android subreddit does allow developers to promote their own apps, but they need to abide by certain rules, such as identifying themselves in the title as the app developer, and so on. Also, you want to give and not just take. You can do this by answering people’s questions, offering an app that provides true usefulness or value added, sharing your knowledge and participating constructively in other threads.
7. Optimize for the App Stores
Finally, app developers also need to make sure that their app store presence is optimized for maximum visibility, discoverability and promotion. This is an entire topic unto itself, but there are some key things to keep in mind. Your app name and description need to tie into what exactly your app does. So if your app offers functionality that carpenters will find helpful, be sure to include carpentry and related keywords in your description. Do some research to find out what these relevant words and phrases are. Don’t keyword-stuff, but don’t leave your text bare of keywords either.
Try to see your app store page from the point of view of a potential user. Does the description make the benefits of the app crystal clear? Is the functionality explained in a friendly way? Is the wording persuasive and likely to convince someone to install the app? Write your text accordingly. Then, also be sure to use imagery and video to your advantage. Screenshots of the app should be chosen with a view to emphasizing just how helpful it is, or how easy it is to use. A short video can also be provided. And make sure to give your app an icon that looks aesthetically appealing.
Nancy Baker
Admin
Vitaly Kuprenko
Nathan Smith