You’ve made the awesome decision to finally launch your business into the mobile app arena. You know that a great website alone just doesn’t cover it these days. With over 138 million iPhone and Android users in the United States [1] [2], and those users spending an average of 2.5 hours each day browsing or utilizing a mobile app [3], it’s not hard to defend the fact that in today’s on-the-go, user-experience-orientated world, a business without a mobile app is like a business without a website ten years ago.
The question is, once you create your app, how do you spread the word about it? How do you get people to download and share it? At the end of the day, download frequency is vital, as each and every user who has your app has the ability to receive concerted messaging and on-the-fly alert notifications. The math is easy: The more users who have your app, the more potential traffic you generate to your store.
Fortunately, marketing your new iMobileApp is not that difficult. You probably already have access to and are using most of the tools you need to properly get the word out and engage your base.
Here are five Must-Do’s for a successful iMobileApp launch:
DON’T WAIT: Let people know what’s coming. Cinematic production companies don’t wait for the movie to come out before they start their marketing campaigns; on the contrary, without pre-release buzz, trailers ablaze with “Coming Soon to a Theater Near You,” and dedicated web domains, they would open up to, well, no one. Think of your new iMobileApp as a cinematic release. Prior to launch, create a space on your website with a graphic and text: “Our Awesome New App Coming Soon.” Do the same on your Facebook and Twitter pages—we’ll talk more about the importance of social media again later in this article. If you can gear people towards your newsletter sign-up page with a promise that they’ll be the first to know when the app is available in the App Stores, all the better!
LAUNCH BIG: When you launch, don’t hold back. Get the word out! Send out the triumphant newsletter, and hit all your social media pages. We know how important it is to make sure the world knows you have a new mobile app available, so included with every iMobileApp build is a set of high-resolution, quality graphics to be used on your website, in your social media posts, signatures, newsletters, etc. We’ll also supply a QR Code, or, “Quick Response” Code, that will take users directly to a page on our server where they can easily download your app without worrying about searching for it in the App Stores. When you’re targeting the smartphone generation with a mobile app, QR codes are a great way to advertise. Again, they can be added to your website, business cards, brochures, mailings (email and snail mail), receipts, or storefront windows. We drop ship hard marketing assets (door stickers and business cards with QR codes) from our print shop straight to your location.
BE SOCIAL: Leverage social networks. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter offer unparalleled reach and precise audience circulation. In a lot of ways, your iMobileApp is similar to your social network pages in that users have “Liked,” “Followed,” or in the case of your app, “Downloaded” your branding, and they’re looking for—and expecting—current and relevant content, so don’t be afraid to cross-pollinate your app on these pages. Post images of your App Icon with download instructions. Post screen shots of your app’s menu so that users can see exactly the kind of content they’ll have access to. Keep this going periodically so that it continues to get play in your followers’ feeds.
INCENTIVIZE: Sometimes people need a little ‘nudge.’ You’ve taken the time to create a great tool that will not only allow you to keenly promote your business, but furthermore, you’ve created something that will absolutely benefit your entire constituency. Users of your app will have the ability to receive first-hand alerts to specials, sales, promotions, events, etc, but some might need a little ‘instant gratification.’ It’s ok though because you have something for them… Again, taking advantage of space on your website and your social media outlets, place and post a quick call to action: “Show us your App and receive $5.00 off your next purchase.” “Download our App and enter to win a free T-shirt.” The point is, help your users get started and then they’ll become part of that large pool that receives the direct messaging you generate through your iMobileApp.
SHARING IS CARING: Let the iMobileApp work for you via Push Notification. Push notifications allow an app to notify users without the need to actually open the application, similar to how a text message will make a sound and pop up on your screen. This will become one of your greatest marketing assets and is a fantastic way for you to interact with your users. Providing you’ve been a good administrator and have kept your app current, relevant, and engaging, ask your current users to share the love. Send out notifications that allow your users to share the app with their friends in just a few ‘taps.’ Everybody likes to be the bearer of good news.Remember, your iMobileApp isn’t just an extension of your website or another version of your online store, and it doesn’t have to target only your current customers. Get creative and put your brand name in front of everyone! When you think of your app from the user-experience perspective and you make sure that your app is something useful for your target customer base, then you will see great results from both your marketing and your mobile app.