LAUNCHING YOUR ANDROID APP
How To Be Successful
Updated Sep 2023
App Stats
There are about 6 billion smartphone users, and 1.1+ billion tablet users. Excluding China, Google and Apple have more than 95 percent of the app store market share with iOS and Android combined. Apple (iOS) with about 2 million apps, and Google about 4 million as of this writing. By year end 2024, app downloads will be hovering around 280 billion.
As Android phones with Google features installed are not allowed in China, several app stores in the country; MyApp by Tencent, Huawei App Market, OPPO software store, and others have a presence there for selling android phones. In total there is about 400 stores, but only a handful, about 10 have the significant market share. Apple(iOS) does operate a store in China, however they are not allowed to promote apps or games.
Currently, there are about 4 million apps on Google Play, 2.2 million at iOS Apple store, and 660,000+ at Amazon app store. Each day thousands of new apps are published; at Google about 4000 apps per day, and at Apple app store, anywhere from 2000 - 4000 apps. About 97% of the apps on Google are free, and on Apple, about 94% are free apps. And, at Amazon app store, free apps account for about 80% of all apps. So, the trend continues, that apps submitted to the large app stores are mostly free.
These app stores combined with alternative app stores and the total number of apps (mostly android and iOS), equals a lot of apps.
Add the fact that mobile apps are expected to generate over one trillion in revenue by 2024; you can see why mobile app development continues to attract 25+ million mobile developers around the world- 2024 stats.
The majority of revenue comes not from paid apps; but Free Apps with mobile ads, in-app purchases, and in-app upgrades to premium content and features.
Gaming Is Big Business
There are more than 2.5 billion gamers, across all markets.
As of March 2023, Apple app store
Top Categories
1. Game Apps
2. Business Apps
3. Education Apps
4. Lifestyle Apps
5. Utiliies Apps
Then followed by Entertainment, Food & Drink, Travel, Health & Fitness, Productivity, Shopping, Finance, Social, Music, and Books.
At Apple store, there were 460,000 game apps in 2022, an increase to 22% from the previous year. 78% of all apps were non game apps.
At Google Playstore, game apps were 390,000, totalling 15% of all apps. And,
Top Categories
1. Games Apps
2. Education Apps
3. Business Apps
4. Tools Apps
5. Music and Audio
Followed by Entertainment, Lifestyle, Books,Food & Drink, Personalisation, Shopping, Productivity, Health & Fitness, Finance, Travel, Communication, Sports, Social.
As you can see, the two app store giants have similar top categories; and interestingly, the social apps were less popular for downloads on Google. But Music downloads were higher at Google and way down the list at Apple's app store.
Travel, another popular category, was moreso trendy on the Apple store than Google. Shopping, Food and Drink categories were similar across both Apple and Google.
With more games at Apple store, and with its' higher percentage of paying customers, one might conclude that this store could be better for a Game App, especially if you plan on adding in-app subscriptions or upgrades for money. Google app store, however, could be a better choice for a free game app, without any in-app upsells.
At Amazon App store, game apps are also #1, with about 180,000 in total available for download. Followed with; Education, Lifestyle, Reference, Novelty, Travel, and, Utilities, for its' top categories.
In Summary
Top app categories are good to know, especially if your app targets one of them. For example, if your building a game app, you're in luck, because it's the top category at each of the large app distribution points. However, this also means you will have tough competition so your app must be great in every way - logo, interface, design, functionality, colors, ease of use and so forth.
Best practice, study the top apps, see what they did, how they did it; especially their app writeup, keywords used and where they used them in their wording, app photos. Do not copy anything, that's a big NO NO at Google and can get you banned for a long time. Read, study, and learn from the competition, it could give you a nice intro into getting some downloads for your app. Read on for more tips!
App Submission Process
To get your app in any app store, you must follow their submission guide. Include screenshots and app icons where accepted, and spend considerable time composing your app description and title.App Description: Call To Action
For your app description; use specific keywords most important for the app and its' purpose - functionality. Best practice, write a description that shows your apps appeal, and include a Call to Action such as; "Download our App Now and Get Free Play Points'. It's a fact, these promotional methods work by engaging your audience which leads to best conversions.App Store Search
Most app stores with search feature use the title and descriptions to provide relevant search results. This is moreso important at the larger app markets where competition is fierce for all app categories. Having your app title and description optimized with relevant keywords could make the difference of getting some app exposure or none at all. Best practice for your title is to incorporate both keywords and functionality into the name.YOU MAY LIKE:
How To Submit Your App To Amazon Appstore Amazon Appstore
Google Playstore
At Google Playstore, all Apps can be searched by keywords; and are categorized. Additionally; Google Apps can also be found in:Staff Picks (Featured)
Editor's Choice
Top Paid
Top Free
Top New Free
Top New Paid
Top Grossing
Trending
Best Selling Games
This is a great place to observe how Apps similar to yours are rated, reviewed; and how Developers have presented their Apps: especially for graphics, writeups, updated versions. And, if they have modulized their Apps.
Alternative App Stores
In addition to categorizing your app, many alternative app stores offer additional promotional features.Some are free like 'Todays New Apps', while others are paid and provide select app exposure by putting your app on the homepage or top of a selected category. Offering paid apps free for a day is also popular at some app stores. Paid advertising is another common offering.
Ratings & Reviews
At Amazon, Google, and many alternative app stores users can give a review and rate your app once they have installed it on their smartphone or tablet.
And, at most stores these app ratings, reviews, and number of downloads are listed with your public app profile.
Most users will consider at least one of these app credentials before deciding if they want to install your app on their device.
At Google Playstore over 1.5 million apps now have a rating.
Buying App Reviews, Ratings, For App Store Listing
Positive app reviews and ratings can make your app more appealing to users, and without them, especially at app stores like Google, your app may not get the exposure it should.
The lack of Reviews and Ratings and app Downloads for newly published apps has created a business of itself; where developers can purchase app reviews, ratings, and downloads for their mobile app listing at stores like Google, Amazon, and the iOS store.
Most websites providing these services claim that this approach is entirely legal and adheres to App Store submission protocols. Because users are more likely to download apps that have ratings - reviews; your new app now has a better chance of getting and increasing user installs.
The product manager at Google, has stated, "We want ratings and reviews to be authentic and a true reflection of comments from the users. Spammy reviews, such as off-topic comments, solicitation, and profanity, are just some of the categories we filter out. We also prohibit fake or incentivized reviews".
The spokesperson at App Annie stated, "The problem is that determining what constitutes a fake review is easier said than done.
Many of these services employ real users who download and install the apps and then post glowing reviews.
While developers used to buy reviews in big chunks and post suspiciously similar writeups, things have gotten more sophisticated".
Source: Digital Trends article
Read the entire article
Most all websites I researched basically follow the same process for adding the reviews and ratings saying, "they are added over a timeframe by actual reviewers", thus creating a natural transition and authenticity, and thus eluding any suspiciousness on your app account.
Price plans can be less than $10, to several hundred dollars depending on the number of ratings, reviews, and installs purchased. Individual purchasing is available at some websites, with most offering plans.
And at some, you can write your own reviews, (you choose the wording), and also have the review posted at a time you choose.
I have compiled a list of websites offering these services. Buy Reviews Ratings, and Downloads
At Google, the apps that are getting the most downloads are those with a rating of 3 - 4.5
The #1 marketing strategy for your android app should be its REVIEWS - RATING.
Good Reviews Can Improve Search Ranking and Downloads
At Google Play, Reviews and Ratings from your Users is crucial:
Good Reviews can be used for your App's Sales Pitch;
Good Reviews and Ratings will Convince potential users to download your App;
And, especially at Google playstore, every Review given helps your Search Ranking:
It's also imperative that you comment or reply to users reviews at Google or any app store that allows for reviews with feedback.
The Google guide says that a User may only rate - review an app one time; however, they can rewrite that review and rating at anytime. So, if a user leaves a mediocre review and rating of your app; you can reply - resolve their uncertainty about your app and in doing so; you help your app rating. You can also rewrite your reply to their review as often as you like. And, statistics say that when you reply to a negative review; that person is likely to improve their rating of at least 0.7+; of your app.
The Google Play Developer Console provides for many
analytics for the ratings and reviews of your App
Graphics
Images Create the first Impression of your App to Users; so Make Them Compelling.
And, your app icon is important; statistics say that 50% of users download an app based on whether they like the app icon. So, make it visually appealing. Best practice keep it simple and unique.
All app stores require a logo or promo icon of your app to display with your app listing, and most allow screenshots to further showcase your app features.
Sizing requirements for these graphics can vary amongst the app stores.
At Google, and Amazon, you must provide a 512x512 pixel version image of your app's icon. This is the app launcher icon.
Screenshots are ideal to showcase the design and layout of your app. These are easy to create using a 'screen capture' app. And, if you have a newer android device you can use your power or volume button to capture screenshots.
Do include at least one screenshot image of your app. Most app stores allow a few to be uploaded. Users usually only look at the first two screenshots, so include two of your best as 1 and 2.
Do include a Feature Image for your App. At Google Play, if they feature your App this image is shown across their network - image size 1024x500. Amazon also requires a 1024x500 horizontal image, as well as two icons, and at least 3 screenshots.
Many alternative app stores allow for promo images, and also a promo video.
For your app icon, you can make your own with Graphic creator software, or buy them for a nominal price or free at certain graphic websites.
For icon design, Google guidelines recommend using vivid colors as the background, and short text, if any. Also, contrasting colors is recommended, and adding a border can also make your logo stand out especially if a users' phone or tablet has a similar colored background as your logo color.
Write a Great Description
Title - Description - Promo TextAll app stores require your app title and a short description. Some also accept a long description.
The Title is short (usually 30 char) so make the wording strong. Include a keyword in title because:
It Is Searchable.
You may want to use keywords only and omit your app name here; especially if your App Name doesn't include a keyword.
A well written description can lead to more downloads of your app. At Google Play, and most stores that offer a 'Search Apps' feature, the App Description is searchable; so optimize with several keywords - phrases, at the beginning of the description text.
Usually, the first 160 characters are searchable; and the most important for your Apps Ranking; so
choose keywords most relevant to your App.
Keep your writeup informative, simple. Include your Apps' functionalities; its' best features.
Review top downloaded similar Apps at Google, and Amazon; to see how they worded their description, what keywords they included, where they placed them, and, how they arranged their writeup.
The Promo Text is usually 80 characters; word it with keywords and a catchy relevant phrase.
Keyword Targeting - ASO
Optimizing and targeting your app store writeup with keywords is known as 'keyword targeting, and ASO.
The best approach is to research apps similar to yours at Google and find what Keywords they are using in their app description, and how they use them. Did they put relevant keywords in the first sentence, did they bold keywords, did they use one word keywords or long tailed keywords(like several keywords).
Research several 'top downloaded apps', similar to yours to get ideas to craft your own app writeup.
Don't Spam Your Description With Keywords,
Don't Copy From another Developers' Writeup;
and Don't Ask Users To Give Your App a Five Star Rating.
Doing any of these Could Get Your App Deleted, or You Banned from publishing.
Buying ASO (app store optimization) is also offered at websites. Many of the online sites that sell reviews, ratings, also offer ASO services. Browse our listing and do a web search for 'ASO Mobile Apps'.'App Store Optimization', 'Keyword Targeting Mobile Apps'.
Buy Reviews Ratings, and Downloads
Build For Smartphones-Tablets?
Smartphones are still used most overall; they out number tablets two to one, and they have a good percent share of retail consumption. Tablets however, are more popular for specific purposes.
The top app categories for tablets are: Gaming, Videos, Music, Reading, Social Media.
If your developing an app for any of these categories, do consider designing your app for both device types.
And, include: 'your app is best viewed on' info (tablet/smartphone or both) in your app writeup and in any promo campaigns.
Link To Your Website
Use your app store listing link to promote your app on social media, your own website or include it in emails or press releases.At some app stores like Getjar.com you can get this link in your dashboard.
At Google, in addition to your Google App Listing profile page, you can also have a Developer page, where you can add a link to your website; include a logo, and also feature any of your Apps.
Beta Test Your App
Find Your Apps' Flaws Before Your Users DoAt some app stores like Amazon and Google, you can beta test your app to find any performance issues.
Google Play Beta testing for new Apps
At both stores you simply choose 'Beta Testing', before your app goes 'live to publishing'.
Beta App Testers are those who test new Apps and provide feedback only to you about any issues your App may have.
This can prove very helpful, especially if your App has complex components you have just implemented, or perhaps you want to add support for a new (country) language. Beta Testers from that country would be ideal for tweaking your App.
And, at Google Play, Beta Testers cannot rate or review your App; that way there is no negative comments about your app before it goes live.
Promotional Strategies
Advertise Your App At Social MediaSocial Media, the best FREE Marketing Tool there is.
Social media is free for all sort to speak- you can join for free, and post photos, videos, as you like, tell a story, promote your product or service. The key is to join the most popular for the product or service you want to promote, and that includes targeting your age groups.
You can join a sleuth of Social websites, post your videos, photos, and promote your brand. However, research over time has shown you might be better suited to join a select few that could possibly have more users who would definitely be interested in what you have to sell or promote. How do you know who might be interested in your product or service? That would be statistical data, based on user visits to many social media websites, based on user age(demographics). This is tryed and true advice from the online marketing geniuses! They know(from researched data) what demographic mostly frequents what social media website and a bunch of other interesting data points. The demographic data is simply divided into 'generations'.
Generation Z, Y, X, Baby Boomers- Let's See How They Compare At Social Media:
Social media that caters to the younger crowd includes:
Entertainment apps like Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok and Snapchat, mostly generation Z, the younger crowd up to 25 year olds. They browse their favorite apps for at least 6 hours per day. If your product or service (app) is for this demographic, then these are the types of Social Media websites you should join to promote your brand.
Next Crowd - Generation Y, 25 to 40 year olds- they browse for about 4 hours a day on mostly these apps: Amazon, Instagram, Mobile Bankings, Paytm, Lifestyle app, Investment apps and a lot of diverse categories. Join these Social websites if this is your target audience.
Gen X: This generation spends about 2.5 hours on their mobile phones - browsing information, on social media or on apps from which they can book tickets - think 'travel'. Those born of the years 1965-1980.
Baby Boomers - save the best for last! With this crowd, it's basically the retail and travel based apps. They do not promote online transactions as much as the other generations, but they do have a varied app browsing portfolio. These users born 1946- 1964. Time spend daily browsing - about 1 -2 hours.
In Summary
There are many Social Media websites to choose from and there's likely a crossover among the generations, however, for the best practice for promoting your new app; these websites defined by the 'generation' demographic are definitely a good place to start. Meta, X, Snapchat, Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube, are definitely worth your time. With a dedicated Social Media presence you can gain followers, app downloads, and more. Best of all, it can be implemented for FREE!
Videos
Post a video describing your apps' best features and functionality.
It's a fact; videos provide the best audience engagement on Social Media. 80% of app video viewers downloaded apps after watching a branded video.
And, over 40% of users who downloaded apps said they found out about apps they downloaded at social websites from some form of advertising.
Worldwide social media presence is 4.8 billion users; that is 59% of the world's population — stats 2023.
Do include Twitter, Facebook - Provide great copy, (text writeup) about your app - include a link(url) to your Google Play App Page and or Developer Page in your Social Profile; or just include your app apk link.
When Posting; in your Link, use text - keywords relevant to your Apps' Topic, Theme.
Mention the Freebie word- include your Apps' best features- functionalities - usefulness. And, add a 'Call To Action' to engage your audience.
Posting a infographic to showcase your App is another strategy; include ratings, reviews.
For Twitter(now X), post several times a day; Twitter also has: X For Business and Small Business- Paid Mobile App Promotion
At Meta(Facebook) Facebook FREE to join - one or two postings is recommended.
Meta also has: Free Business Page Facebook(now Meta)
Create Your Own Online App Store
Get exposure for your app by creating and promoting your own app store portal. Some app stores like Aptoide and Appland.com allow you to submit your app and also create an app store where you can add their database of established apps to yours. With this, you then promote the store, your app, and additionally, you can choose to earn money (fee or subscription) from apps within your store.
Get Reviewed
Critique it Tweak It!Submitting your app to 'Review Websites', not only provides free promotion; it also gets your App critiqued, thus allowing you to tweak it; if need be, before distributing it to your selected app stores.
Read our article Get Your New App Reviewed - Free and Paid App Review Websites
App The World - Include Additional Languages
Localize Your App To Users Around The WorldAlthough you may initially launch your App in English; adding additional languages should be considered.
Users from mega-population countries like: Japan, China(free Apps only) Korea, India, Brazil, and Russia; are now downloading android apps on their smartphones; (and tablets) so updating your App with Language Support for some or all of these countries is recommended.
There are many free online translation services; the popular Google and Bing, offer free common-words translation services. Depending on the wording/phrases used in your App, the free translate-yourself services may be sufficient.
However, as Google has stated: Short worded phrases - sentences are commonplace in Apps; therefore the context may not
be propertly translated with the free machine translations. With Google's paid service, a native speaker does the translating; therefore more accuracy in meaning may result.
Like Bing, and
Google;
many online translation service offer both free and paid Language translations.
When you do translate; remember to include translated versions of
your product listing images, App description, and, include translated text for your user support and feedback.
Android Tutorial with Example Code- How To Add Support For World Languages
FREE vs PAID App
You Can Make Money With A Free App
On Google, and Amazon, as well as most market places, you can make your App Paid or Free. And, some app stores only accept Free apps. Before you decide to go with a Paid App you should consider the stats;
Of the 4 million apps at Google; 97% are free apps.
MOST DOWNLOADED APPS ARE FREE
Freemium is the most popular App Monetization Method:
You can submit your App as a Free App;(aka lite version) and,
you can add Advertising,(like Google's AdMob or another ad network),
you can have in-app purchases; like offering a Pro Version (access to more content, features, functionality), and additionally,
you can have a NO ADS version, for a cost;
You can add all of these to your Free App; or some of them; with Google's In-App Billing for App monetization.
And, do read Google's App Guidelines dollar amount limits per country.
You can use Amazon and Google for mobile ads and in app purchases.
Many of the alternative app store have similar offerings whereby you can monetize your app.
You can use theirs or add your own mobile ad network from the many available.
Appbrain has a comprehensive list with market share stats included.
android Ad Network-(View all ad networks here)
Optimize Your App For Distribution
Before distributing your app to the app store markets, you can add Analytics so you can gather insights on your app users behavior and interactions with your app.This information is important to the continued success of your app because you can see where users:
are spending the most time in your app,
how, when, and where they spend money in your app,
where users are not going in your app,
how often they use your app,
and, view retention rate of users.
Churn rates are high for app users; so to keep users returning and using your app, Analytics can provide you with the data to improve the app experience, keep users, and make yourself some money.
How To Intepret Data Points - Analytics
If you want to make money from your app, you can monetize it by adding mobile ads as mentioned.
Analytics and Mobile Ads are added to your app using an SDK integration. It is implemented by adding code to your app code.
Read our article
Free Analytics For Your App, & Monetizing Your App
You can learn to develop Android Apps. With the many free online resources available: easy to learn coding environments-(Android Studio for desktop)(AIDE for tablets), developer guides(android developer),and the selection of free learning websites(tutorials); Android App Making, has become more accessible and popular for novice programmers, business websites, personal websites, and casual surfers.
YOU MAY LIKE:
How To Submit Your App To Amazon Appstore Amazon Appstore
Make an App on your Tablet - Smartphone - Free Tutorials
Make Sushi at Home Cooked Ingredients