How to promote your iOS app

The output of the application in the TOP of App Store is a vital complex for getting a constant profit from your application. This can be achieved by various methods, many of them are popular, some very controversial. Do you want to know what methods really work? Then read on.

1. Tell the audience about the application

After the successful publication of the application, it is necessary to use all available communication channels: a link on the main page of the project site, blog entry, and social networks. In the announcement, it is important to show the screenshots of the application itself and give a description of the main functions. All messages must be accompanied by a link with a clear appeal “Download in the App Store.”

2. SEO and keyword research

In most cases, users do not search for applications by their names. Usually, the search takes place according to the keywords — “puzzle game” (the best games look at freeappsforme.com), “reading documents”. This, in turn, means that the developer needs to prepare a list of keywords describing the application — as in contextual ads.

3. Media

The next step is to create a list of forums, websites, news resources and blogs about mobile applications. You can start working with the media by participating in professional conversations, discussing news, commenting. You can refer to the publication with a request to write a review of the application. There is also a list of foreign resources that will be of interest to the iPhone developer: iPhoneApplicationList, AppAdvice, 148Apps, MacWorld, TheiPhoneAppReview, AppSpy.

4. Online and offline PR

If you have a PR specialist who works with you, he will take care of this part of the work. His job is to be in constant contact with the leading websites of the industry.

Offline PR depends on the audience and scope of the application. If the developer is aware of the magazines that are read by a potential user, then print advertising with a QR code leading to the application download page will be effective.

Mentioning an application on a popular resource can result in several thousand users.

5. Promotional Codes

For each version of the application, the developer can request up to 100 promo codes. The code can only be used once and for a certain period of time. The user, who downloaded the application by the promo code, will not be able to leave feedback about it in the App Store.

Some companies post promotional codes on Twitter, others use promotional codes for bloggers and journalists.

6. Advertising

In the case when the team has an advertising budget, its planning should be done several months before the publication of the application. Platforms for advertising should become the resources where potential users of the audience are most often found — specialized media, Twitter and Facebook.

7. Videos

You do not need to have a large budget for creating video ads. If this does not go against the brand strategy, you can regularly record a video about the life of the application team. Such social marketing is a quick and inexpensive way to get coverage with minimal costs.

8. Application localization

For international projects, their localization is important. Make sure that the title and description are correctly translated. Each country has its own App Store and not all applications are easily adapted to other languages. The translation of content in the App Store will highlight the application among non-adapted competitors’ products.

9. Share

The “Share” function built into the application leads to the fact that users start advertising the product on their own. An excellent example is the Candy Crush application: it can easily share a link to the application with friends on Facebook and get bonuses for it (built-in purchases).

10. Cooperation

It is also worth paying attention to other applications that appeal to the same audience but are not direct competitors. Internal cross-promotion is interesting for both sides.

11. Creating a Promotion Site

A few weeks before the launch of the site, create a promotional website designed exclusively for demonstration and promotion of the application. You can also ask users to leave an email address for feedback.

After launching the application, the promo page needs to be changed: prepare a simple design with a clear call to action — the “Download in App Store” button. An example is Instagram or Pheed.

12. Ideal launch

It is recommended to run the application only after fixing all the bugs and implementing all the planned functions. A good product with a wide range of features, a great design will provoke users to talk about it to friends and leave good reviews in the App Store.