New and Noteworthy visibility

[LinQsta]

Hi everyone,

I currently have two apps in the App Store -LinQsta and LinQsta free:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/linqsta/id558811738?ls=1&mt=8
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/linqsta-free/id563224804?mt=8

On the LinQsta app, professionals and businesses upload all of their professional info,pics and social media pages to a QR code. On the app they can present this qr code to be scanned by new contacts, who will then have all of their info for future business. I've been excited about launching it for months and have spent 5 months on development.

I've looked at all of the criteria that contributes to a new and noteworthy app (as being the route to wide visibility and downloads of this tool), and perceive the following:
A) the app is unique and contributes to the Ecosystem
B) the app is a good quality (functionality and design)
C) the app has had 5 star reviews so far and a great review in smokin apps and great apps.com

My only theory behind the lack of downloads and a key reason for not getting on N&N is the icon. I am going to change it... However I released the app back in Sept 11 - is it too late to make N&N now?

Would it be worth deleting the app from the App Store and starting again, releasing it with a new icon in the hope it can achieve N&N status? Do you think the icon and even the icon name are too obscure to gain interest?

Really hope to get some help from any of you guys with expertise?

Thank you
Mike

[MarkFromBitmenStudios]

Criteria for new & noteworthy are "necessary" but not "sufficient". The difference is that if you do not fulfill these requirements, then you won't show up. On the other hand, it would be wrong to make a converse argument that if you do fulfill these, you will show up. That is purely Apple's choice and it is a matter of taste. A lot, and I mean really a lot of apps fulfill all these requirements and do not show up and yours is just one of it.

Also, this is a country-specific ranking, so you could have been showing up in another country, who knows. In any case, do not delete the app and recreate it. First of all, your chances are not improving and all you do is offending those customers that actually bought your app and now are left with abandonware that won't get updated.

I would have been nice to post a link to you app in this post so people trying to have a look at it don't have to dig it up. I was searching for it and I think the icon is kinda ok. Maybe add an "in" somewhere to resemble a bit LinkedIn without actually copying their icon. I guess it is still hard to transport the message why somebody would use your app in a sentence.

One of the problems you might be facing is that you have a hard time bootstrapping that service. Nobody has your app so if I get it I can't link to anybody so I'm not getting it in the first place. That spirit basically makes it hard to launch a platform like that.

I'm not sure how to fix that, you could try going the Enterprise route and sell it to whole Enterprises for their employees to use and if you can get enough big Enterprise onboard, then it could be gaining popularity. Maybe hand it over to some renowned Enterprises for free so you have good references (e.g. everbody at Apple uses it). I'm not saying that will work out just throwing out ideas.

Anyway, I like your idea, it is kinda innovative. Good luck to you!

[LinQsta]

Originally Posted by MarkFromBitmenStudios

I'm not sure how to fix that, you could try going the Enterprise route and sell it to whole Enterprises for their employees to use and if you can get enough big Enterprise onboard, then it could be gaining popularity. Maybe hand it over to some renowned Enterprises for free so you have good references (e.g. everbody at Apple uses it). I'm not saying that will work out just throwing out ideas.

Anyway, I like your idea, it is kinda innovative. Good luck to you!

Thank you for your advice and comments. I have added those links now.

I agree that it would be offensive to those that have already downloaded the app. I have all of their details and would make the new app free for them if that was the route I took so would make sure they were looked after.

At what point would an app no longer fall into the new and noteworthy category? A couple of the apps in the current N&N section have been around for a long time, so can an app make it into New and Noteworthy through an update, rather than by submitting a new app altogether?

[MarkFromBitmenStudios]

I don't think you can force Apple to consider you. Updating no longer helps here. I wouldn't worry too much about what Apple can do for you but what you can do to promote your app.

I don't think N&N would dramatically change your sales but you never know. Usually, apps that don't sell have some other problem that needs to be fixed.

[Blackharon]

Originally Posted by MarkFromBitmenStudios

I don't think N&N would dramatically change your sales but you never know. Usually, apps that don't sell have some other problem that needs to be fixed.

Some other problem = Marketing.

[Foursaken_Media]

If you're an indie dev without any connections, I think its best to assume you aren't getting featured. Prepare yourself every way possible to succeed without Apple's help, that way anything extra is just gravy on top.