Friday, May 11, 2012

Android App Marketing: dumping my experience

I am writing this post to share my fresh personal experience in marketing Android Apps


Content
  1. Introduction
  2. Market SEO
  3. Social Networks
  4. Advertising Networks
  5. Forums
  6. App Review blogs/websites
  7. PR
  8. Video
  9. Cross-apps promotion
  10. Other things to do
  11. Things NOT to do


Introduction

The ultimate target for Android App marketing is to make your app appear in the top 5 Apps in any market list (ex: Top Free, Trending, Top New Free ...etc) and for this to happen you need your users to do the following

1- Install your app (many installs daily)
2- Review your app +rating
3- To +1 your app
4- Does not uninstall your app soon

All factors above are used by the market to decide whether to add/push up your app in a list and whether to show your app in the top search results or not

Saying so we reach the conclusion that most important part of app marketing is the App itself, is it valuable for the user, will he/she keep it installed,  does it have a good UI/Icon/Name is it related to a trending topic at the moment , do you think the user would show your app to a friend ?

Also note that "Games" when are well created are easier to market than other apps


Market SEO
  1. Choose proper catchy app name
  2. Create a good looking icon
  3. Write a title/description that is easy to read by users and in the same time contains as mush relevant words as possible, more words means more users will find your app through search
  4. Choose proper category  
  5. Screenshots should be beautiful and convincing

Warning: adding duplicate or irrelevant words will be noticed by google and you will be warned about it


Social Networks
  1. Add you app link in all "Relevant" facebook public pages, Groups and on your wall
  2. Post it on twitter with "#android" included
  3. Post it on Google+
  4. Any other social network you have access to


All these steps will give you an initial push to be included in the "top new free" list in addition to some good feedback from your friends, also ask them to add reviews on the market

Advertising Networks

Paid advertising is a very good way to drive installs to your app which will move your app up in the Market List

There are many many types of paid advertising CPM (Cost per mile), CPC ( Cost per click ) , CPI (Cost per Install), Incentive installs, Affiliate ...etc

CPM/CPC
Provided by networks like AdMob, JumpTap and others, the ads are shown on other mobile apps and pay for each click on the Ad, for CPM you pay for each 1000 view (regardless of clicks)

I used AdMob before, i paid 50$ (minimum) and got 1270 clicks (CPC=0.04) and 10s of installs only, so it is only effective when you have a big budget

I used JumpTap, minimum is 25$ and CPC=0.10 and gpt 242 clicks

CPI/Incentive networks
Provided by networks such as AppBrain, TapJoy and others, you pay only when the user install the app

AppBrain minimum is 25 dollars  (Paypal)  and the cost per install starts from 0.20$

I tried TapJoy before, they have many options to choose from and huge user base, there is no minimum and the cost for acquiring user starts from 0.10$ and is proven

the only problem with TapJoy is that it gives user incentive to install your app, so most of the users install your app to get the incentive and then uninstalls your app

Affiliate/CPA
Provided by networks such as mobpartner , you pay for a specific action , you will  have many options to choose from CPL: cost per lead ex: a the user successfully filled a form that you wanted him to fill, CPS: the user did a purchase for something or CPI: cost per installing application

Unfortunately i didn't try it before


AdExchange

AdExchange networks provide you with the ability to show ads in your app and in return your app Ad will be shown in other apps in the network, this way every time a user will open your app, there will be another app promoting yours - a free win-win situation

Providers: tapfortap


Forums

There are many benefits from posting your app on the forums, first you will get both install spikes and contentious install stream in addition to feedback from people other than your friends

  1. Add a post containing a good description and screesnhot for you app on as many forums as you can
  2. Don't use url shortner in forums 
  3. Use the following convention in titles [APP][version] your app name
  4. Some forums requires that you do some activity before you can add links to your posts

Best Android forums


Also don't forget to post on local forums


App Review blogs/websites

Contact all blogs and app review websites and let them know about your app, find below a list of Android blogs and review websites



PR

PR refers to Public Relation and Press Release, there are some specialized companies which have relations with Magazines, Blogs and android websites such companies could reach out and spread the word easily about your app on your behalf

Providers:
http://www.mobileprwire.com


Video

Create a video about your app and upload it on youtube and other video websites this would drive traffic from youtube search, and should convince the user to install your app if he/she watched the video on the market

Cross-app promotion

If you have other relevant apps, you could change the code to add either a splash screen, banner or a notification about your new app


Other things to do
  1.  Update your App regurarlly (after updates your app is listed again in the top new free list)

Things NOT to do  
  1. Don't use facebook normal ads or AdWords Ads for your App it is useless, facebook mobile ads is gr8

References

http://www.androidauthority.com/contact-us/
http://AndroidGuys.com
http://www.androidtapp.com/get-reviewed/#GetReviewed
http://appmodo.com/contact/
http://www.appsplit.com/submit-an-app/
http://www.mobileappsgallery.com/submit-android-app/
http://latestandroidapps.net/submit-android-app/
http://www.androidappsreview.com/submit-your-android-app/
http://www.bestandroidappsreview.com/recommend-an-app/
http://www.lifeofandroid.com/submit-an-app/
http://www.androidrundown.com/about/submit-app-hardware-review/
http://apps400.com/submit-your-application-for-review
http://appstouse.com/submit-app-for-review
http://www.100bestandroidapps.com/submit-android-app
http://www.askyourandroid.com/request-for-review/
http://www.formstack.com/forms/envato-appstorm_review
http://androinica.com/contact-us/


makingmoneywithandroid.com
Very valuable blog, thanks David 
http://www.slideshare.net/pgbowen/how-can-i-promote-my-android-app-game
Valuable presentation
http://www.mobithinking.com/mobile-ad-network-guide/blind
Mobile Advertising information
http://www.quora.com/What-are-good-ways-to-promote-free-Android-apps
http://www.merdroid.com/promote-android-app/
http://appsmarketing.mobi/android-market-optimization/




Posted by Karim Ouda at 11:15 PM

68 comments:

  1. shahidMay 20, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    Dear Karim,
    Nice blog and very good info. I have read a lot about android app marketing but first time I found a link to mobileprwrite.com. I found this site to be really useful. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 23, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    Hi Karim,

    Wonderful article. MobPartner is a great network if you'd like to promote your Android app because MobPartner itself is a mobile CPA network like you said. It means it is risk-free for the advertiser, who will only pay for installs, not per clicks. That's how advertisers should market their Android app. Recommended.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Great info in here for new app developers. Appia is another great resource for people who are looking to promote. We dont use incentives and deliver really high quality traffic with loyal users on a Cost Per Install method.

    www.appia.com
    will.black@appia.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mak QlexJune 6, 2012 at 12:48 PM

    Here i am sharing this post on all my social networks.


    Android App Developers


    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  5. ankitJune 28, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Very useful post !! Great work Karim

    ReplyDelete
  6. BenJuly 2, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Hi Karim
    Great article-thanks!
    If you had $10K to promote an app (Brush DJ ) how would you spend it to get the most 'bang for your buck'?
    Thanks
    Ben

    ReplyDelete
  7. Karim OudaJuly 2, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Karim OudaJuly 2, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    For me i would spend on Advertising (AdMob and AppBrain) then seek a good PR agency

    After finishing your marketing plan/execution, please let me know what worked for you

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownJuly 3, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 3, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    Great post, Karim. Very useful insight :)

    Unfortunately, the tap4tap link leads to some other place. Apparently this network doesn't exist anymore. As from what I googled, there aren't any ad exchange networks on the net right now, are there?

    JD

    ReplyDelete
  11. Karim OudaJuly 3, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Oh sorry, wrong link, thank you for letting me know

    Here is the correct one

    tapfortap.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Submit your app to http://50bestandroidapps.com/

    It's a good web site to get your apps promoted.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJuly 18, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Very good information...

    Question about tapfortap... do they require read phone state permission?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Karim OudaJuly 18, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Yes they do

    http://developer.tapfortap.com/sdk

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJuly 23, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    "Update your App regurarlly (after updates your app is listed again in the top new free list)"

    I think this is not true, indeed. I updated my very fist app about 50 times in two months. After the first month it just disappeared from top new free and never go back. My theory is that your app will be removed from Google's Play Top New Free as soon as it is one month old, regardless your updates.

    ReplyDelete
  16. forcituteAugust 2, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    Nice One

    Thanks

    Apps Promotion

    ReplyDelete
  17. Droid App of the DaySeptember 6, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    Thanks for the tips. I actually own and operate a website called Droid App of the Day, so if any of your readers would like a free app review – tell them to get in touch – http://www.droidappoftheday.com

    In my own experience, I have quite a few apps onthe market and am trying a variety of the tricks you suggest for promotion. Here’s an example of my apps: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev20674.app76419&hl=en

    ReplyDelete
  18. melvinSeptember 13, 2012 at 5:03 PM

    www.newappsreview.com is made specifically to boost new apps. If you're a developer, you can easily submit your app to be reviewed for Free.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2012 at 7:16 PM

    Great post, an update will be more than welcome. This is one of the first posts that comes up in Google so you'll have a ton of views.

    ReplyDelete
  20. ethanSeptember 24, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    Very useful post. Marketing your app can be really tricky. The first place you need to focus your efforts is to get your app into as many stores and websites as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownSeptember 28, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    Hi karim
    Can you please check out this app and do a review. Thanks
    @bigblockentmt

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.qcontinuum.dragfx

    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragfx/id515166329?mt=8

    ReplyDelete
  22. melvinOctober 30, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    Hi,
    Great tips there! You should also include www.newappsreview.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousNovember 15, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Please tell me how to promote my application
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=your.CartoonsX0.com&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsInlvdXIuQ2FydG9vbnNYMC5jb20iXQ..

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousNovember 18, 2012 at 6:20 PM

    Hello all,

    I have actually developed a marketing package that includes most of the above mentioned ideas and other promotional methods.

    Promotional package includes:
    - Positive custom written reviews on 20 most visited Android forums
    In previous projects, the average forums post was read 372 times during the first three month. Which accounts to 7.440 message views.
    - Your app will be submitted to 20 most popular Android review sites
    These sites write reviews on apps that are submitted to them. This will generate lots of app downloads when your app is listed.
    - Post a positive review including your Google Play URL on 50 of the most Liked Android Facebook pages
    Direct exposure to potentially 1.7 million Facebook users, most reviews will be listed in search engines as well.
    (Upgrade to 300 Facebook pages for an additional $50).
    - Add 250 Google +1's to your Google Play app page.
    The more Google +1's you have the higher your app will be ranked in the Google Play Top Free or Top Paid pages and the Google Play search results.
    (Upgrade to 3000 Google +1’s for an additional $100).
    Note: You will even be able to view detailed statistics of the traffic that visits your Google Play page through our promotional package.

    Complete package: $130

    For more info please contact me at: androidpromotionnow@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. andreDecember 2, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Hi, take a look at http://www.AppSRooster.com/group-list/app-reviews/
    It is new App Video Reviews Channel with daily and weekly shows about apps and apps world news. It is fresh approach to app reviews.
    If you have new app - Tip Us http://appsrooster.com/tip-us/

    http://twitter.com/AppsRooster
    http://facebook.com/AppsRooster

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownDecember 16, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    Good information!

    Please help me how to promote our app.

    http://play.google.com/store/search?q=pub:funlearning"

    http://fun4learning.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownDecember 22, 2012 at 12:00 AM

    Click Labs not only helps you create the much needed buzz for launch of your application but our mobile application marketing experts guide you through to the top.

    ReplyDelete
  28. YompopoJanuary 14, 2013 at 1:31 AM

    Hi Karim,
    Very good and helpful blog.
    Thanks.

    Please look at our brain-puzzle app SUJIRO free:

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sujiro.free.pack&hl=en_GB
    Erel

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hands On Yummy FoodJanuary 24, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    Hi Karim.

    Really nice post and best part is it is short and succinctly written.
    I want to add some points into it, which I have discussed in my http://creatiosoft.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=11 forum like importance of review, ratings and google+ etc. Would love to have your valuable feedback and comments to make my post more interesting and useful.

    ReplyDelete
  30. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 9:52 AM


    AdExchange networks provide you with the ability to show ads in your app and in return your app Ad will be shown in other apps in the network, this way every time a user will open your app, there will be another app promoting yours - a free win-win situation. android app marketing

    ReplyDelete
  31. ShaunMarch 10, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Developers can submit their iOS or Android app for review at Tapscape:

    http://www.tapscape.com/submit-app-review/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Arul shajiApril 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    Great article! thanks a lot for sharing this useful info with us.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousApril 23, 2013 at 7:35 PM

    Take a look to all my Lyrics and Music apps: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=oclink+lyrics&c=apps

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ivan GonzalezMay 31, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    DroidTweak Media Seems to work for me , http://droidtweak.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. ravi kumarJune 8, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    I bet you, this app will surely make a difference in your life to some extent.

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dew.quotes

    ReplyDelete
  36. UnknownJune 9, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    About 6 months ago this post helped me a lot to find different ways to promote my android app, I think it is something we never worry about until we actually are there... just waiting for thousands of users downloading our apps.

    Until today, it keeps being very hard to promote apps for free, android marketing sites have very high fees to make reviews making it impossible to many young and independent developers to promote their apps, that's why me and 2 friends decided to create a review exchange blog, so not only us can make free reviews for apps, but everyone who visits the site can exchange reviews with others.

    http://androidki.com/

    This is not spam, site is free and 100% ad free, created for young and indie developers.

    ReplyDelete
  37. SonaliJune 21, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks for writing this post...I really liked it a lot.. But, I would like to add some more points into it like Pre Launch Marketing Strategies & Post launch Marketing Strategies, which I have discussed at http://www.creatiosoft.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=202 ....I would love to have your comments and feedback if any to make my post useful and interesting

    ReplyDelete
  38. DeniseJuly 25, 2013 at 11:13 PM

    Great article! Lots of good insights. Could you tell me more about your experience with Facebook or Twitter ad campaigns and why it's not recommended? Anybody feel free to jump in!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Steve ParryAugust 16, 2013 at 12:21 PM

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  45. Galaxy Inspirational QuotesOctober 7, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    Found an interesting app - if any one is happy to review, I will supply .apk file.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.azwstudios.galaxyinspirationalquotes

    ReplyDelete
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  47. UnknownOctober 27, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vlsc.game.galaxyassassins&hl=en


    please use this app and wait for more updates totally free. app is of 1$ only.

    ReplyDelete
  48. New App StoreOctober 31, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    You can also submit your Android app for review to these app review websites here

    http://topbestfreeapps.com
    http://appsintally.com/submit-app-review/
    http://hostappstore.com/submit-app-review/

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  49. UnknownNovember 8, 2013 at 9:09 AM

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    best free root Galaxy S4 guide

    ReplyDelete
  50. Blade PalmerNovember 22, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    Great post! Try Appcrazi Social (http://appcrazi.com). Appcrazi is built on a web 2.0 social platform. It's great for giving your apps a quick rush of traffic.

    ReplyDelete
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  59. UnknownJanuary 14, 2014 at 11:33 AM

    Thanks for sharing. But if you want to find review website, there is a problem, that is the blogger or the review website don't reply to you. Then how to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  60. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2014 at 3:37 PM

    Hi !

    We are a very cool startup called Addengo from France, developing new ads format, and specialized in video advertising on mobile phone.

    We are not just displaying video, we are doing more than that, there is a few of our features !

    - Addengo’s main features
    - We are displaying video directly into your app, the user won’t leave it.
    - Our format is non-intrusive, the user can select the video he wants to watch.
    - We don’t collect any personal informations.
    - Our SDK is built to be easy to install, and is fully customizable.
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    We are now building our network of app’s editors, by allowing you to use our solution to share videos on our network, totally for free.
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  62. UnknownApril 21, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    All methods for marketing mobile apps are great. Social network will definitely be the powerful channel that can be used for mobile app marketing

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  63. 1a-android.deApril 23, 2014 at 1:32 AM

    Hey Karim, nice post with a lot of insight.
    Anyways we do offer app reviews too.
    Maybe you can add 1a-android.de to your list (especially to reach clients from Germany).

    Best regards,
    Jakob

    ReplyDelete
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  67. MarySeptember 5, 2014 at 7:16 PM

    Thanks for the post. I would rather stick to good CPA networks like Global Matrix Media. I love Global Matrix Media. No delays in payment. Simply transacting with them is a breeze with Mary Tanner always there to assist. http://bit.ly/VLL0Y5

    ReplyDelete
  68. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2015 at 11:16 PM

    Thanks, very useful!

    ReplyDelete

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