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Building an app is just the initial phase; successful ventures require effective monetization through mobile app marketing strategies for startups. Given the sheer volume of apps regularly entering platforms like Google Play Store (with over 80,000 monthly releases) and Apple App Store (almost 31,500 monthly releases), securing app visibility and downloads requires a thoughtful mobile app marketing strategy.
This article outlines a step-by-step approach to constructing a results-oriented mobile app marketing strategy. Each step is explained, highlighting crucial actions for achieving optimal outcomes in the competitive app marketplace. Additionally, learn how to choose the right mobile app marketing strategy for sustained startup success.
Mobile app marketing is a strategic approach to promote an app, engage mobile users, and increase app downloads. It includes a spectrum of strategies and marketing ideas aimed at attracting users and cultivating interest in an app.
In essence, mobile app marketing serves as a guide, ushering users through the conversion funnel from initial awareness to the download phase. However, the journey extends beyond the download button; post-acquisition, maintaining customer satisfaction is pivotal for retention and advocacy. A well-crafted marketing strategy for a mobile app promotes the application, drives downloads, and enhances the overall value of the app.
As per recent reports, there are approximately 1.85 million iOS apps, while a staggering 2.56 million apps are available on Android. With over 90% of the global population owning smartphones and dedicating an average of 5 to 6 hours daily to mobile usage, the importance of businesses embracing mobile is clear. Crafting an effective mobile app marketing strategy is essential in a highly competitive landscape where millions of apps vie for attention.
Notably, more than 65% of small enterprises, and virtually all major corporations, have already adopted mobile applications, underlining the shift towards mobile-centric operations.
This section outlines the steps to initiate and improve your mobile app marketing strategies while staying updated with the latest market trends.
Effective market and customer research is vital for precise app positioning in a saturated market. Here are a few essential steps in market research:
Market research guides informed decision-making for effective user engagement and successful app development.
Conducting thorough competitor analysis is essential for app success. Here are key aspects to consider when conducting a competitor analysis:
This comprehensive analysis can help you create a comprehensive business plan that includes a SWOT analysis. Use these insights to strategically position your app.
Establishing an online presence, including organic social media, is integral to effective app marketing, and includes essential steps as listed below:
Through strategic online engagement, a robust and enduring relationship is cultivated between the app and its user base, transcending mere distribution.
Strategically managing a mobile app’s performance relies on key performance indicators (KPIs), which can be defined in the following ways:
Selecting and optimizing these metrics is key for refining and sustaining an app’s success, providing actionable insights throughout its lifecycle.
App Store Optimization (ASO) is a fundamental strategy in mobile app marketing, applicable to both the App Store and Google Play. Derived from SEO practices, ASO focuses on app discovery, aiming to boost visibility and user engagement. Important facets of ASO implementation include:
This strategic, long-term approach begins before the app’s release and persists throughout its lifecycle, significantly enhancing visibility and user engagement.
Public Relations (PR) in app marketing involves distributing press releases to media outlets, crafting pitches, and building journalist lists. Some key points to consider when implementing PR for app marketing are as listed:
Fostering positive brand reputation is crucial for long-term visibility and recognition, making PR a valuable strategy when approached with a clear understanding of its role in bringing awareness to your app offering.
In mobile app marketing, strategies include both free and paid approaches. Paid marketing allocates budget for a successful customer acquisition, vital to overcome app store visibility limitations. A few essential aspects for app marketers include:
Paid campaigns supplement free strategies, ensuring the longevity of mobile app projects and broadening audience reach.
A referral system stands as a potent word-of-mouth marketing strategy, fostering app growth through users sharing positive experiences and earning rewards for referring their friends, family, and network. Here are some action points to consider when choosing this strategy:
While a referral system is a valuable tool, its success hinges on the app’s widespread appeal, reinforcing the importance of a well-rounded marketing approach.
Apple’s App Store and Google Play, with dedicated sections curated by editorial teams, offer an opportune space for emerging apps to pitch for valuable visibility. Editors actively seek outstanding apps, creating a chance for those gaining traction to stand out. Here are some steps to craft compelling pitches:
Efforts to secure a spot in curated sections are valuable, providing visibility and a coveted endorsement from editors focused on apps delivering exceptional user experiences.
A mobile app’s user community holds importance, demanding effective communication from app marketers. This involves identifying, engaging, and addressing concerns within this community, fostering brand loyalty and customer retention. Here are the key facets of community building:
Community building within a mobile app is a long-term strategy requiring dedicated management. Efficiently engaging with the user community contributes to sustained brand advocacy and ensures a better customer journey, making it a vital aspect for app marketers to prioritize.
Tailored for specific functions, mobile apps present rich opportunities for content marketing. Marketers can harness this by considering few action points:
This content-focused strategy, centered on addressing user needs and establishing expertise, enhances the app’s visibility and positions its developer as a professional authority within the field.
Email marketing proves crucial for app marketers combatting customer churn, providing a tool to engage subscribers and build lasting connections. Establishing an email list creates a valuable database for ongoing user communication. Here are some key points to consider:
Mastering these distinctions optimizes user communication and ensures a lasting app connection by strategically using email marketing for user engagement.
Integrating influencers into a social media campaign stands as a potent method for propelling a mobile app to viral status. Here are a few aspects of influencer marketing to consider:
While influencer marketing proves highly effective, its limitation lies in the absence of detailed user insights, differing from paid user acquisition campaigns. This strategy hinges on influencers’ reach rather than comprehensive user data.
App store ratings and reviews significantly influence users’ app decisions, necessitating proactive management to safeguard app reputation. Key facets to put in place include:
Vigilant management of app store ratings and reviews is essential for a positive brand reputation, ensuring success in the competitive mobile landscape.
AI in marketing optimizes outcomes through personalized, AI-driven content. It includes targeted advertising, chatbot deployment for enhanced engagement, and automated content generation across marketing channels. Here’s how to leverage AI:
AI marketing transcends automation, enhancing the entire process with insights and effectiveness. By predicting consumer behavior, automating tasks, and offering an upgraded toolkit, it expands avenues for customer engagement and acquisition in the modern marketing landscape.
Effective mobile app marketing for startups doesn’t rely on a singular ‘best’ strategy but on a nuanced blend of diverse tactics tailored to the app’s uniqueness and audience. A holistic approach, considering acquisition, engagement, and retention, enables adaptable strategies for sustained user growth and engagement in the competitive mobile landscape.
Selecting an effective mobile app strategy demands a deliberate approach. Some key steps include:
Defining clear business objectives, aligning them with the app’s purpose along with understanding your target audience’s preferences, ensuring the app caters to their needs.
Evaluating market trends and competition, identifying gaps or unique selling points to facilitate an optimal product-market fit.
Choosing between native, web, or hybrid app development based on functionality and user experience priorities.
Considering monetization models aligned with business goals and user experience design, such as freemium, subscription-based or e-commerce models and more.
Regularly analyzing user feedback and app performance using tools such as Google analytics, Mixpanel or Amplitude analytics among several popular tools, and adapting to strategies accordingly.
Crafting the right mobile app strategy involves a strategic blend of market research, user-centric design, and continuous optimization for sustained business success.
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