Oliver
10-14-2008, 05:11 AM
Hello,
I think it would be nice for the devs to have a single thread which mentions all the tips for promoting their app. In a few discussions we talked about only "big names" getting the promotion in the AppStore on the front page, so it's nice for "smaller" devs to get a list of what to do to make things better.
Here are my ideas (I'm no dev, so I'm seeing this from a user perspective):
1. AppStore description
1a) Give us accurate descriptions in the AppStore. Describe what your app is, how you control it, what type of gameplay you have, what's the goal.
1b) Also mention similar games already available on the AppStore and compare you app against them (if you search for these other apps, your app will show up too!).
1c) Update the description often. Use the description to react to user complains or to give tips on the gameplay and to show, what you are planning for upcoming updates, so that the users can see, that the dev is interested and commited to the app.
1d) Translate your description (see this thread: http://forums.toucharcade.com/showpost.php?p=3990&postcount=2 )
2. AppStore images
Include images which do not only show the splash screen, but which show gameplay at first. Remember, that the mobile AppStore and nearly all RSS feeds (like appshopper.com) only include the first image you upload!
3. Application preview version
When you put the app into the review black hole of Apple, also give out some preview version to several known review sites, like toucharcade.com and video podcasts.
4. Website and support
At least, your website should be ready, when submitting the game to Apple. Give an overview, a gameplay video and a support area with faqs and a form/email address for your customers. If your app sells well, think about creating an account on getsatisfaction.com to manage the support queries.
5. Answering support entries
Always - ALWAYS - remember, that many of the persons who write to you are your customers. They paid for your app and for your work. They will tell you if they like it or not. Some of them will have ideas for further developing. Answer with respect and within two days and don't take anything personal. Create an ideas-area on your website with ideas of your customers.
6. Dev visibility
Be visible to your current or upcoming customers. Show them, that you are commited to your app and interested in what they think of it. Create official accounts in a handful of boards like toucharcade.com and take part on the discussions regarding your app.
7. Updates
If you update your app, the app is shown again in the store. So don't give out huge update every two months, but small updates every two weeks. This also makes customers feel that the app is evolving and that the dev is putting in things the customers want. BUT, the app you ship to Apple as a first release has to be a complete and finished app. Do not misuse the update feature as a way to ship a half-finished product!
8. Price changes
Offer some price reductions once in a while to stay in the news. Change your AppStore Icon to reflect this, with including a "SALE" on it, so that it's very visible while scrolling through the store.
9. Lite/Free version
Offer a lite or free version with some levels, to reach the customers, who don't want to pay the full price just to get a feeling for the app. I would suggest doing this only for Apps over 2.99, because apps under hits price value are already a steal.
I think it would be nice for the devs to have a single thread which mentions all the tips for promoting their app. In a few discussions we talked about only "big names" getting the promotion in the AppStore on the front page, so it's nice for "smaller" devs to get a list of what to do to make things better.
Here are my ideas (I'm no dev, so I'm seeing this from a user perspective):
1. AppStore description
1a) Give us accurate descriptions in the AppStore. Describe what your app is, how you control it, what type of gameplay you have, what's the goal.
1b) Also mention similar games already available on the AppStore and compare you app against them (if you search for these other apps, your app will show up too!).
1c) Update the description often. Use the description to react to user complains or to give tips on the gameplay and to show, what you are planning for upcoming updates, so that the users can see, that the dev is interested and commited to the app.
1d) Translate your description (see this thread: http://forums.toucharcade.com/showpost.php?p=3990&postcount=2 )
2. AppStore images
Include images which do not only show the splash screen, but which show gameplay at first. Remember, that the mobile AppStore and nearly all RSS feeds (like appshopper.com) only include the first image you upload!
3. Application preview version
When you put the app into the review black hole of Apple, also give out some preview version to several known review sites, like toucharcade.com and video podcasts.
4. Website and support
At least, your website should be ready, when submitting the game to Apple. Give an overview, a gameplay video and a support area with faqs and a form/email address for your customers. If your app sells well, think about creating an account on getsatisfaction.com to manage the support queries.
5. Answering support entries
Always - ALWAYS - remember, that many of the persons who write to you are your customers. They paid for your app and for your work. They will tell you if they like it or not. Some of them will have ideas for further developing. Answer with respect and within two days and don't take anything personal. Create an ideas-area on your website with ideas of your customers.
6. Dev visibility
Be visible to your current or upcoming customers. Show them, that you are commited to your app and interested in what they think of it. Create official accounts in a handful of boards like toucharcade.com and take part on the discussions regarding your app.
7. Updates
If you update your app, the app is shown again in the store. So don't give out huge update every two months, but small updates every two weeks. This also makes customers feel that the app is evolving and that the dev is putting in things the customers want. BUT, the app you ship to Apple as a first release has to be a complete and finished app. Do not misuse the update feature as a way to ship a half-finished product!
8. Price changes
Offer some price reductions once in a while to stay in the news. Change your AppStore Icon to reflect this, with including a "SALE" on it, so that it's very visible while scrolling through the store.
9. Lite/Free version
Offer a lite or free version with some levels, to reach the customers, who don't want to pay the full price just to get a feeling for the app. I would suggest doing this only for Apps over 2.99, because apps under hits price value are already a steal.