Killer Ways to Market Your Mobile App
Having an app is essential these days, but marketing it can be quite challenging.
Online browsing has moved from computers to smartphones and then from smartphone browsers to apps. Obviously, marketing campaigns have moved there as well. This is why your company should definitely have an app from which customers can be informed about your products or buy them directly.
Now, when you have one it is not going to be easy to distinguish yourself from a ton of others. Create a campaign around your app right away. In a way, an app is a product you need to push consistently and here is how you can do it.
Schedule the Launch
Apps come and go every day and most go unnoticed. You need to make your app launch an event by building anticipation about it. Use “traditional” media to promote the big day – create social media buzz, talk about it in professional forums, introduce the app to technology bloggers and other experts.
It is also a good idea to offer some sort of a reward for first couple (of hundreds) of users. These could be in-app features (like free updates for any future services) or something from your store. Just remember getting people to download the app is the easier part and retaining users is what is really tricky.
Think About the App Store
Naturally, most users will not hear about the app from your company directly, they would have to discover it through the app store. That is where the focus of your campaign should be. Your app should be noticeable just through by the app store.
This means your app should have a memorable name (if it’s not just the name of your company), the description of its features should be clear and simple, and don’t forget to use the right keywords. Also, take screenshots of the most important options your app offers. Asking the users to leave reviews in the app store comment section is also a good idea but only if you’re confident that there are no glitches.
QR codes
It doesn’t matter whether your app was made by a professional or you used an app maker. You’ll need to push your app, especially on those who are used to alternative media outlets. QR codes are a good way to this. Add them to all of your promotional materials (business cards, envelopes, appointment books, product packaging and whatever else you use).
You can also make them a part of your email signature. The code could just lead to your app, but it can also be used in conjunction with other promotion tools you got (for instance – 10 percent of for anyone who found the app using the code).
Video Promotion
Now this is a tricky one. Video clips are the best promotional tools. They show your app as it is while it’s used. If you add great production to it – good soundtrack, HD video and a well-written voiceover, you might have a promotional clip to be shared on every tech site. But, this is an expensive endeavour and it only works if it’s done right.
Not having a video is better than having a bad one. You should only get into it if you have a substantial marketing budget beforehand or if your app has already taken off and got some good reviews and the video is just a way for you to expand the market.
Use the Data
You can get a lot of information about who uses your app and how they use it. This can help with both the marketing process and the customizations you might need to make on the app itself. Find out the age, gender, occupation and income of your average user and adapt your marketing strategy to this information.
Also if you know how the users interact with the app you’ll know what features to improve and what to get rid of in the next version.
Mobile apps could be of great benefit to your business because they put in you in the pocket of every customer. Promote your app from day one and you’ll get the most out of it, I promise.