©2012 by EliNext Group

5 Handy Tips for Marketing of Your Android App

Android apps are now available on Google Play

(formerly Android Market), a digital

entertainment hub of the US-based Internet

giant. Google Play is accessible from the web as

well as from the Play Store mobile app on

Android and Google TV devices. In fact, Google’s

long-term goal is to roll out as many different

types of content as possible for people around

the world.

©2012 by EliNext Group

With over 600,000 mobile applications today,

Google Play has something for everyone. Android

users download over 1.5 billion applications and

games from it each month. For software vendors

and indie developers this number of apps may

seem inspiring. In order to realize your idea and

get a huge amount of downloads, you have to

thoroughly prepare and successfully run a

winning marketing strategy. Below are a few

helpful tips on how to secure a good future for

your Android application.

1. Excellent application

Although it may sound commonplace, but the

first and the most important part of marketing is

the Android app itself. Sadly, but a large number

of apps on the market are DOA. To make your

app really noticeable, you have to identify its

unique value, target audience and the message.

From the technical standpoint, it should be

tailored in accordance with all the requirements

©2012 by EliNext Group

and undergo QA testing. It is also critical to

choose a proper name for the app. It should be

catchy and convey the essence of your app.

Furthermore, a good looking icon and captivating

design are equally essential. One should

remember that consumers will find the app

useful if it is indeed unique and meets their

needs.

2. Choose category

On Google Play, mobile apps are divided into 2

types: “Games” and “Applications”. At the

moment there are 8 categories for Games

(Arcade & Action, Brain & Puzzle, Cards &

Casino, Casual, Live Wallpaper, Racing, Sports

Games, Widgets), and 26 categories for

Applications (Books & Reference, Business,

Comics, Communication, Education,

Entertainment, Finance, Health & Fitness,

Libraries & Demo, Lifestyle, Live Wallpaper,

Media & Video, Medical, Music & Audio, News &

©2012 by EliNext Group

Magazines, Personalization, Photography,

Productivity, Shopping, Social, Sports, Tools,

Transportation, Travel & Local, Weather,

Widgets.). Your Android app may fit into more

than one classification. Incorrect sorting can

significantly reduce the number of downloads. To

make your app easily discoverable for users, it is

very important to choose the appropriate

category.

3. Pricing

Price for your Android app will definitely play a

significant role in the marketing strategy. Google

Play gives an opportunity to set prices for your

apps in multiple currencies. (This option is now

available only for a limited number of locations.)

For USD currency, the allowable price range is

$0.99 – $200. However, the intense competition

makes some developers start off at the lowest

price of $0.99, which can make it extremely

difficult to break even. Therefore, do not be

©2012 by EliNext Group

afraid to charge what the app is worth. Of

course, there are people who will never pay a

single penny for your application, while there are

many other people who will be glad to buy

something really great.

4. Build buzz

Creation of buzz around your Android app is not

merely a "nice-to-have" option, but a vital

necessity. To promote your app:

Leverage the opportunities of social media,

i.e. Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn,

etc.

Create a video about your app and upload it

on YouTube and other websites. A video with

background narration showing some of your

Android app’s greatest features in action will

be extremely helpful to attract wide

audiences.

Write effective press releases and post

©2012 by EliNext Group

information about your app on forums and

blogs. Posts with good descriptions and

attractive screenshots can spike the number

of installments, generate discussions around

the app and provide you with feedback from

people other than your friends.

Run ad campaigns, including viral ads.

5. Get featured

The ultimate purpose for marketing of any

Android app is to make it appear in the top list.

Featured and Editor's Choice mobile applications

are chosen by Google Play editorial team. There

are several options for getting featured on

Google Play:

Featured: new great apps;

Staff Picks: rotating set of outstanding apps;

Top Free: the most popular free applications

of all time;

©2012 by EliNext Group

Top New Free: popular free applications that

are less than 30 days old;

Top Paid: prominent paid mobile applications

of all time;

Top New Paid: prominent paid applications

that are less than 30 days old;

Top Grossing: apps and games generating

the highest revenue (including app purchases

and in-app payments);

Trending Apps: apps that show incredible

growth in installs in the last 24 hours;

Editors' Choice Apps: the best Android apps

of all time hand-picked by Google Play team;

Top Developer: a listing of the very best

developers on Google Play.

Marketing of Android apps should by no means

be a passive activity. It is erroneous to assume

that if your app is great, it will do the rest of the

©2012 by EliNext Group

job itself. In reality every Android application

developer is trying to stand out in a very

crowded marketplace. The above mentioned

useful tips for Android app marketing will help

you get the most out of your app.

©2012 by EliNext Group

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Suggested citation: EliNext Group. 2012.“5 Handy Tips for

Marketing of Your Android App”

<http://www.elinext.com/5-handy-tips-for-marketing-of-your-

android-app>

©2012 by EliNext Group