EasyBiz Mileage Tracker & Vehicle Expense Log launched in January, 2014 for IOS & Android and since has accumulated over 37,000 downloads.\u00a0\u00a0 I recently launched EasyBiz Plus (premium version), which was listed in the top paid business apps in its first day.\u00a0 The app also won Best Mobile Apps Platinum Award for \u201c2014 Best User Interface\u201d and is currently up for several others.\u00a0 Other app store mentions include Apple\u2019s main banner, small banner, #1 business essentials, and best in travel and expense\u00a0 (530 areas in nearly 70 countries).\u00a0 I only list these accomplishments in the hindsight of how little I knew about mobile apps when I launched EasyBiz.<\/p>\n
Here are some facts:<\/p>\n
This means if successful, you can capture an immensely large and growing global market. My advice is to treat your app like a business, after all, it is.\u00a0 If you think you will launch the next flappy bird by just getting it up on the App Store YOU ARE WRONG.<\/p>\n
Spend the time to price check and get quotes on the cost of your app.\u00a0 Do not choose cheap for cheap\u2019s sake.\u00a0 A good developer will get you a good UI, user interface, which is half the battle. \u00a0IOS loves apps that cater to its iOS software design which will help to get inside promotional help from Apple. Alternatively, expensive does not mean quality.\u00a0 I believe the best app development companies are not solely a team of developers.\u00a0 The companies that are best positioned to design a cost effective, quality app are vertically integrated with project managers, design teams, and developers. If you are going to spend the money, spend the time and do your research before you choose who you’re going to work with.<\/p>\n
Design an app with layout and aesthetics in mind and work backwards towards functionality.\u00a0 I know that sounds wrong but millennials and a growing tech friendly consumer are looking for aesthetically attractive functional apps, not ugly functional apps.\u00a0 If they don\u2019t like how it looks they will lose interest quickly.<\/p>\n
Prepare a press release and marketing tools (cards, bumper stickers, videos, brochures etc.).\u00a0 Take the time to tap keyword analytics to maximize your APO and SEO (Google keywords is great and its FREE).\u00a0 Your keywords will set your app apart.\u00a0 With iOS there is no limit to your title\u00a0as there is with\u00a0Google Play.\u00a0 Do not blow this.\u00a0 For example \u201cZillow\u201d is not \u201cZillow\u201d, it\u2019s \u201cZillow – Homes & Apartments, For Sale or Rent\u201d.\u00a0 My app is listed as \u201cEasyBiz Plus – Mileage Tracker & Vehicle Expense Log (IRS Business Tax Deductions)\u201d this maximizes not just your \u201ckeywords\u201d (which are capped) but your title which now acts as a APO keyword extension.\u00a0 Also select popular keywords but try and add in unique, medium search keywords to diversify your app.\u00a0 Translate your app description into popular languages (Chinese, Russian, Korean, French, Italian, German, Japanese, etc).\u00a0 Even if it\u2019s Google Translate, you give your app some global attraction to people who don\u2019t understand english.<\/p>\n
GO CRAZY!!!.\u00a0 Act as if these first 48 hours are make or break with your app.<\/p>\n
Step 1: Tap every resource you have to get reviews, friends, family, co workers.\u00a0 These reviews boost your presence especially as a new app.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n NOTICE: (Remember if an app is free with Android IT CANNOT BE CHANGED TO PAID!!! You must release a whole new app. With iOS you can update but all reviews gained with free apps will be lost when switched or updated):<\/p>\n TRICK: If you start with a paid version but are working on a new premium version, move the first to free after it has been listed \u201cpaid\u201d for awhile, sometimes you will see a massive flux of downloads.\u00a0 Remember this is only for those who will be launching a separate app and moving the first from paid to free.<\/p>\n Step 2: REVIEW SITES!!!!!<\/strong>\u00a0 I believe the biggest mistake app launches make is not considering their long term marketing budget should be almost as expensive as the app itself.\u00a0 This doesn\u2019t mean blow a bunch of money on useless reviews but companies like DailyAppShow, GreatApps, AppsZoom, AndroidAppReviews, etc. can\u2019t get you great exposure for very reasonable packages (not to mention thousands of monthly visitors and followers).\u00a0 Here is a list of some highly ranked sites (http:\/\/maniacdev.com\/2012\/05\/ios-app-review-sites<\/a>), (http:\/\/spacechimpmedia.com\/the-ultimate-list-of-app-review-websites\/<\/a>), (http:\/\/www.androidb.com\/2013\/07\/android-review-sites-the-ultimate-list-to-help-market-your-app\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n Step 3: Awards. <\/strong>Best Mobile App Awards, Webby, Appy Awards, Mobile Premier, etc.\u00a0 These are great exposure tools.\u00a0 Even if you don\u2019t win people will see your app and if you do then you have a great addition to your resume with even more exposure.<\/p>\n Step 4: Act like an Entrepreneur.\u00a0<\/strong> Have a pitch figured out.\u00a0 Carry a quality card with QR links, brochures, a one pager, etc. Seek out networking events and opportunities to speak about your app (Chambers of Commerce for Example). Again, this is a company not just an app and you never know who will be what I call a exponential contact (1 person recommends 2, 2-4, 4-16 etc.).<\/p>\n Breakdown of musts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Take the time to find the right company<\/p>\n Prep for launch-PR, Marketing Tools<\/p>\n Keywords, Translate Description<\/p>\n First 48 are Huge<\/p>\n Contacts are key, get reviews quickly (friends, family, workers)<\/p>\n Choose the right people for Promo Codes (create buzz, not give aways)<\/p>\n Get profession reviews from established sites<\/p>\n Submit your app for awards<\/p>\n Create a social media presence and maintain it<\/p>\n Conclusion:<\/strong> Ultimately what makes your\u00a0app valuable is your user base.\u00a0 Yes, we all want to make money, but attacking this too early can be a fatal mistake.\u00a0 (Facebook versus MySpace).\u00a0 Grow a user base then look at raising prices or changing it to paid.\u00a0 Ad revenue is great but you need clicks, a lot of them (click per ad, 30 seconds running scroll ads, video ads) without frustrating the user to the point of un-installing the app.\u00a0 Not to mention acquisitions become more attractive with a large user base.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" EasyBiz Mileage Tracker & Vehicle Expense Log launched in January, 2014 for IOS & Android and since has accumulated over 37,000 downloads.\u00a0\u00a0 I recently launched EasyBiz Plus (premium version), which…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":491,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[47,46],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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