Most developers tend to focus all of their time, energy, and resources on building a brilliant application. And while having a unique idea and a great product is crucial for success, the launch is just as important. Rather than simply submitting your application to app stores, you need to develop a more elaborate launch strategy that will convey important information, garner interest, and build anticipation among your audience, thus increasing your chances of reaching success. With that in mind, here is how you can effectively launch your app in several simple steps:
1. Research your industry
Like with most other industries, conducting market research is also a crucial first step to launching an application. Extensive research will allow you to understand your competition, gauge the quality of their apps, measure the size of the market, and test the functionality and viability of your own application among your target audience. It’s important to consider aspects such as customer satisfaction, current pricing, and whether your competitors are keeping their apps updated or not. This information will enable you to determine whether your app idea is worth pursuing, and it can also help you decide how to monetize your application.
2. Develop a pricing model
On that note, developing a pricing approach is the next crucial step. When it comes to applications, monetization can come in various forms, from free-to-download apps and subscription models to initial download prices and in-app purchases. The most popular approach is the ‘freemium’ model which aims to build an audience before making official first sales, such as Spotify offering a free trial period before releasing ads and encouraging consumers to upgrade to a paid subscription. However, the monetization solution you choose will ultimately depend on your main goals. While freemium pricing is great for reaching millions of consumers, a subscription or paid model might be better for apps made for niche audiences.
3. Get testimonials early
If you want downloads early on, people need to have trust in the fact that your application will deliver real value. Along with a great description, reviews from consumers are crucial in building this trust, but they are bound to come later in your journey. Instead, a better option might be to gather testimonials from professionals in the field who have had early access, then tested and loved your app. For instance, the brilliant Humango sports training app has collected testimonials from trusted athletes from the very beginning. That means the AI-powered insights and unique features they offer weren’t just interesting and unique to consumers, but also valuable and reliable.
4. Optimize for search
Whether your goal is to rank highly in the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store, similar factors will come into play. On both platforms, the most important variables for ranking well are the keywords used in the name and description, branding and visuals, the number of app downloads, and the number of positive reviews. While some of these aspects can only be built after the fact, keywords are absolutely crucial when launching an app, as most users perform specific searches when looking for new applications. So, focus on including the most important and relevant keywords in the title, and make it a point to include a couple in your engaging description as well.
5. Create branded visuals
Visuals are incredibly important for app promotion. For that reason, it’s recommended to create interesting, beautiful, and captivating screenshots and branded images. Whether you share content on social media, send emails to publications, or upload promotional photos on app stores, visual media will help to tell the story of your application. It will be able to describe how your app operates in greater detail, give audiences a glimpse of your product and build excitement, provide an engaging preview that encourages purchasing decisions, and simply establish you as a trusted and reliable brand. All of these aspects are crucial for attracting and retaining a loyal app user base.
6. Launch a web presence
If you want to ensure people are aware of and interested in your application, consider promoting it before it even goes live. Start by building a great website that is easy to navigate and provides all the necessary information. Make sure the app is clearly promoted on the landing page, the value and appeal are appropriately communicated, and customer support is set up in advance for answering questions and engaging your audience. Then, focus on creating social media profiles. You can drive consumers to these platforms through your website, and use them as efficient promotional channels for connecting with an even larger base of potential app users.
The process of launching an app is just as important as having a unique and interesting idea that will attract users. Follow the essential steps above to ensure your app launch is triumphant and achieve success early on.