Nearly everyone uses a smartphone these days. And people use them to do nearly everything, from reading the news to booking hotel rooms. In fact, before 2015, a study by Smart Insights revealed that the mobile user base surpassed that of the desktop by about 400,000 users. That was two years ago; most likely that number is much bigger today.
At the core of the smartphone software industry are apps. Ever heard of the old saying “there’s an app for that”? Yes, that already is an old saying; it’s been around for a really long while now. Which means apps have also been around for a while. In actuality, apps are now everyday parts of life as much as coffee is for most people. Our modern world runs on apps and will continue to for a long time.
Because of this, competition in the marketplace of apps is also quite tight. Cyberspace is the new ad space, with millions of apps aiming for attention left and right. For the new guys in this space, you might be asking what the best app marketing strategy is. How can you get people to notice your apps? How can you put a smile on their face each time they use your apps?
Well, here are ten things you should consider for your app marketing strategy. These are what the most successful app marketers do, so you’re learning from the best.
1. Advertise on Mobile
Of course, you want to reach your potential clients using platforms they’re already using. And since people are on their phones most of the time, it makes perfect sense to reach them through their phones. Focus most of your advertising efforts on mobile – in other apps, mobile web, YouTube, Facebook, etc. That way, you’ll reach your intended customers a lot easier than in any other advertising platform.
2. Leverage the Power of Social Media
Most of the apps people use are social media apps. Therefore, you can take advantage of that in your app marketing strategy. Advertise your apps on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc., and people will surely find out. With the amount of time most people spend checking social media apps on their phones, it’s nearly impossible for them to not notice.
Speaking of social, it’s also a great idea to allow people to spread the word themselves. Once they’ve used your app and found it good, give them the opportunity to tell others about it. That way, you get free advertising from your very own clients.
3. Cash in on Trends
The digital world is full of hashtag hype. Anything, once enough people post about it, can become a trend. In mobile app marketing, taking advantage of trends is itself, a trend. All you have to do is find a popular topic that relates with your app and, in a way, makes a fuss about it. Build hype around that trend, and drop your app right into it. That way, you’re making your app more #relatable and #relevant.
4. Get Feedback
If you want to win in the app game, you’ll also have to eat feedback for breakfast. After all, there’s a saying that goes “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” And who better to give you feedback than your apps’ users? Ask them to give reviews of the app and/or a rating in the App Store / Google Play store. The more positive ratings your apps get, the more people will likely download them. Apps that lack good reviews and ratings cause people to be cautious, and they might even think those apps are dodgy.
5. “Try Before You Buy”
Many paid apps these days have a sort of “free trial” option, where you can use the app but with limited functionality. This is an excellent method of app marketing because users get to experience the app firsthand. Once they’re convinced that the app does its job well, they’ll soon want to unlock its full functionality – of course, by purchasing the full version. You too can do this by offering two separate versions of your apps – a free “lite” version and a paid “pro” version, for example.
6. Take Advantage of Push Notifications
Because people do so many things on their phones, they tend to forget quite easily. That’s where push notifications come in. You can slide in special offers, discounts, and gentle reminders to your users through those push notifications. Yes, some of those reminders could be to purchase the full version of your apps. Talk about a way to push your app marketing strategy forward, eh?
7. Avoid Intrusive Advertising
We did mention using in-app advertising in #1, but let’s be real: Too much of anything is a bad thing. One thing that users hate the most is advertising that interferes with what the app is supposed to do. That’s a big no-no in app marketing. Never ever interrupt the user in the middle of something important. Instead, move the ads to the bottom, or let the ads wait until the user is done with the important stuff.
8. Sell them on the Experience
Selling the app is a good thing, but selling the experience of using the app is better. Sure, you may have the app, but what does it mean for the user? If it means accomplishing more work in less time, for example, then integrate that idea into your app marketing strategy. People can relate better to experiences than just computer code or interface design. Thus, tell them about the things the app can do for them and how it can improve their lives.
9. Use Content Marketing
In today’s internet, content is king. There’s so much information available online, but not all of it is reliable. Put yourself on the “reliable” end by producing useful content. Write about why people need your apps. Use social media to post snippets of what your apps can do. For extra credibility, you can even contact bloggers, tech reviewers, and tech journalists to feature your apps. Having these influential people on board will certainly be the big boon to your mobile app marketing.
10. Be Adaptable
The digital world changes as fast as trends come and go, and it’s also unpredictable. With this in mind, your app marketing strategy must always be ready to adjust. What works today may no longer work next week, but what works tomorrow may still work next month. Therefore, it’s useful to track your analytics – conversion rates, number of positive reviews, and such – and adjust your strategy accordingly. Keep what works, and throw out what doesn’t.
Apps will continue to dominate the online world. Your business will certainly benefit from the power of mobile apps, so best get started right away. And if you don’t know how to make an app, we have you covered. Activate Design offers app development services at reasonable prices to help your business cash in on the mobile trend. Contact us if you’d like to know more.
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