Mobile App Development: A Mini-Guide to Successful Launch
In 2020, users downloaded over 200 billion apps. If you want your app to be one of those downloads, you need to plan a successful launch.
You could create the most unique app with the most innovative app features anyone’s ever seen. But if you don’t actually get the word out about it, no one else will ever know about it.
Once you’re in the app development process, it’s critical that you start to plan and execute a launch that will get you in front of the audience you need.
Keep reading to learn how to launch an app in a highly successful way!
Pre-Launch: Build Your App
Before you launch your app, you’ll need to actually build it. The mobile app development process can be overwhelming for some people, especially if you don’t have a background in development.
Luckily, you can use an app builder, such as Builder.ai, that allows you to discuss your project with experts, then creates it for you. This makes the development process much more straightforward and ensures the final product is what you are looking for.
Step 1: Get Feedback from Beta Users
Once you have a usable version of your app, you can get feedback on it from beta users.
Mobile app testing allows you to see how users interact with the app and get feedback on anything that can be improved.
Step 2: Create Your App Store Listing
Most experts recommend making your app available in both the Google Play and Apple App stores. This makes it so the vast majority of users can access it.
For your listings, you’ll need to create or gather some information, including:
- Title
- App description
- Category and keywords
- App icon
- Price information
- Privacy policy
Step 3: Build an ASO Plan
One of the most common app launch mistakes is failing to create a plan to increase the app’s position in search results. You’ll want to do some keyword research and optimization to do this.
This means analyzing keywords that other developers are using in their listings and seeing how competitive and relevant they are. You’ll need to strategically place these important words and phrases, so you show up in listings.
Step 4: Configure Analytics Tools
Google Firebase and Apple App Analytics are two tools that you can use to help track the performance of your app in the respective stores.
You can also analyze your audience to see how well your promotion strategies are working to attract new users.
Step 5: Create a User Referral Program
A strong user referral program can revolutionize the way you get early users, as evidenced by the success of Robinhood. You can take advantage of this successful strategy by getting loyal fans to spread your message.
You’ll need to figure out what counts as a valid referral and what the incentive will be. You can even make it a gamified experience by adding a tiered reward system. Push notifications and time-sensitive plans also make it more likely users will go through with the referral system.
Step 6: Create a Launch Plan
The previous steps all made it possible to get your launch ready to go. Now you’re ready to plan your launch day activities. You’ll want to create announcements and promotional activities that make a splash and create a lot of buzz.
This means you’ll want to:
- Get your website or landing page ready (if you have one)
- Send press releases
- Use paid advertising campaigns
- Work with product ambassadors or influencers
- Get the word out via social media
Step 7: Schedule Marketing Activities
You want to keep the momentum up in the weeks after launch.
This means building and scheduling social media and search engine campaigns. You may also want to do more outreach, such as using sponsorships in podcasts, blogs, and newsletters.
Take Your App Development and Launch to the Next Level
Carefully planning your app’s launch can make it easier to get it in front of your audience. Make sure to effectively list your app in app stores, create referrals, and implement social and other marketing techniques.
