How to Promote your App – 5 Key Strategies

Did you know that consumers are expected to spend close to $120 billion in app stores in 2019?

 

So, if you don’t have an app, don’t you think it’s time you jumped on the bandwagon?

 

If it’s something you have been thinking about, now is the time to act, as your competitors may already be generating revenue via an app.

 

If you want to know how we can help, we have a dedicated article which details our process and approach to building apps which pack a serious punch, click here to read everything over.

 

But if you already have an app, it’s also important that you understand how to promote the bad boy properly, which is why we’ve also put this article together.

 

Document your journey with honesty 

 

 

From the first day of the process until the app is launched, keep your network updated with the progress and challenges you face along the way.

 

Even if you post a 200-word weekly blog, it is worth the small amount of time.

 

This kind of content is especially good for LinkedIn, as others who may be considering their own app projects, will be interested to follow the progress of the build.

 

More importantly, when your app launches, people who have followed the story, will be eager to see how the finished article performs. 

 

You’ll have an engaged audience immediately and with some luck, you may have a few industry professionals who will offer quality feedback and support.

 

But remember, make sure to be honest with the content you create as nobody will believe you willing to help, if your aim is to talk about how great your business is.

 

People are much more interested in the real story and the way you navigate the challenges which present themselves.

 

Distribute to the right communities 

 

 

If you spend the time writing about your progress, you need to be able to distribute it properly so that your story and app gets the right amount of attention.

 

Writing platforms like Medium, Dev, and the LinkedIn writing tool, are great places to post your technical updates, while answering questions on Quora and joining online communities on Facebook and LinkedIn, will give you access to thousands of people who are looking for help.

 

By simply pointing people to a specific blog post, you’ll be generating goodwill and exposure for your own app in one fell swoop. 

 

Here is a list of Facebook groups which you can use to promote your content and app;

 

Blogging Network: 30,000+ members – Application required 

 

Web Design & Development: 16,000+ members – Application required 

 

Blog Booster: 7,500+ members – Application required 

 

London Tech Startup Jobs: 24,000+ members – Open group 

 

London Startups: 2,500+ members – Open group 

 

London Startups (different group): 9,500+ members – Application required 

 

The added benefit of joining and contributing to these groups, is that you will find help and support as well as exposure along the way. 

 

Create a case study and source testimonials BEFORE launch 

 

 

We all know how important trust is online as well as the importance of customer reviews, which is why many new apps struggle due to a lack of customer ratings when they are first launched.

 

That is why you should offer a beta test of your app to as many trusted partners and industry professionals as you can.

 

You’ll be able to generate a strong bank of reviews and testimonials if you offer a small incentive for doing so.

 

While you are waiting for your test audience to return their 5-star reviews, you can work on a case study, much like we have done for Vodafone, here.

 

You can use this case study as part of the email you send out to your users and the social media posts you send out, as people will be more willing to download an app they know more about.

 

Utilise video and imagery on the app store 

 

 

Surprisingly, only 2% of people who download an app from the App store, click on the ‘more’ button to reveal additional information, so all of that time you have spent sweating over the app description is not as important as you think.

 

Instead, your focus should be placed on the photos and videos which is the content users interact with most on the app store.

 

The app store allows for 10 images and a 30-second video to be uploaded, so placing the best content you have is critical to the success of your app.

 

Create an Icon with punch 

 

 

This may be an obvious point to make but some app designers clearly didn’t get the memo judging by how ugly some icons are.

 

Your app icon is the visual anchor for your product and it needs to serve as the platform of your branding within the app.

 

People make a first impression and decisions faster than they know, as neuroscientists have proven that there can be a difference of up to 11 seconds between the unconscious mind making a decision and the conscious mind following suit. 

 

That is why it is critical that you get your app icon perfect, because it will have an impact on whether somebody downloads it or not.

 

If you are in the process of designing an app or launching one and want extra support, you know what to do…