8 Pre-Launch Steps Of How to Launch Mobile App
Once you’ve reached the pre-launch stage of your app’s life, you’ll need to focus on marketing and planning. This step is critical to the success of your mobile app.
1. Create a separate website for your business:
It is critical that your app has a website. A website or landing page that works as an overview of the app and drives traffic to the Program Store, rather than a browser version of your app. This website should be simple, appealing, and clearly explain what the app is for and what its key features are.
It should also include a clear part where people can sign up to be notified (typically via email) when the app is released. This section is crucial since external traffic will be sent here to assist in the establishment of a potential initial user base. Ensure that all other means of app marketing, such as social network accounts, pre-launch reviews, and press releases, point users to this website and the signup form.
When building your website, be sure to check the list below to ensure you don’t forget anything important:
- Logo and motto for the app.
- A brief description of the app.
- All social media accounts are linked.
- There’s an area where you may sign up to be notified when the site is live.
- Detailed information on the app’s major or distinctive features, along with screenshots.
- If applicable, include a video in the app.
- More screenshots of features that haven’t been highlighted yet.
- The media has given the app positive reviews (if applicable; otherwise design and develop this section of the
- website and keep it hidden until you have reviews).
- Contact form.
Changes made after the launch:
Once you’ve launched an app, you’ll want to make some changes to the website to include:
Reviews from the most influential media in your field.
All supported app stores include links to download the app.
The phrasing in the part where users can sign up to be notified of the launch has been altered to welcome users to subscribe to email updates.
2. Obtain Media Attention For Your Mobile App
You should contact media sources to get your app reviewed or to have a press release published. Getting these links to point back to your app’s launch website will go a long way toward establishing an early user base. To get your app noticed, send a link to a complete press kit to relevant journalists and other authors. This will allow them to access all of the information about your app in one spot. If they don’t react right away, follow up, and if they do, point them to a clean, bug-free beta version that they may test out. Social media and review sites are other excellent ways to generate interest in your mobile app.
Press Kit:
Obtaining greater press attention necessitates the creation of an informative press kit. It should include details on all of your mobile app’s unique and crucial features. You’ll need this to give journalists, bloggers, and influencers a simple way to advertise your mobile app.
Remember to add 5 items from the list below in your Press Kit of mobile app to make it perfect:
- Icon and logo for your app.
- Description of the app.
- Screenshots and video of the app
- You should include links to your website and social media accounts.
- Please provide your contact information.
3. Enlist the help of beta testers:
It is not technically required, but highly suggested, that you make a beta version of your software available to a group of beta testers. This group is given early access to the app and is tasked with thoroughly testing it and noting any problems, unclear UI, irritating UX, or logic holes, as well as general input on the app.
You can host the beta version of your app on sites like TestFlight. Using beta testers is an excellent approach to get new eyes on your product. You, the designers, and/or the developers have spent a long period working on this software and are more likely to be familiar with issues that beta testers can call out.
Beta testing is a terrific approach to gather early feedback from your target audience on your app. After you’ve gathered all of this information, you may focus on resolving the critical flaws before releasing the final version to the public.
4. Email blast for mobile app launch:
Sending an email to your database announcing the launch of your app. It may appear basic in comparison to the rest of the app development process, but it could have a significant impact on your launch. Early-bird pricing and bonuses may help you increase downloads.
When composing an email for your subscribers, keep the following four points in mind.
- Make the subject line and greeting more personal.
- Make a compelling value proposition.
- In the launch email, include a strong call to action.
- Showcase your app with high-resolution photos or video.
- Check out our guide on 4 Email Marketing Strategies for Your App Launch if you want to learn more about this topic.
5. App store optimization (ASO):
App store optimization is critical for having your app discovered by those who aren’t specifically looking for it. Pre-launch ASO includes competitor and target market research to determine which keywords and designs will generate the most incoming traffic.
ASO is made up of the following components:
- Keywords in the app name
- First-line descriptions that sell
- Users can’t see these keywords, but they’re used by the App Store to determine your rankings.
- App symbol with a lot of personality
- Screenshots show your app’s five most significant, distinctive, or fascinating features, together with descriptive text.
- To demonstrate UI & UX, a video of the app in use is shown (optional but highly recommended)
6. Install analytic software:
There isn’t much you can measure before you launch your app except beta-testers, which are vital to track, but it’s far more difficult to build these tools into the app once it’s launched. They’re required to track your app’s data once it’s been released, and they’ll provide essential data for improvement.
Apple’s App Analytics, Kochava’s Flurry App Annie, and Firebase’s App Annie are the top five mobile app analytics tools.
7. Pick an app launch date:
Choosing the right launch date can be the difference between 100 and 1000 downloads on the first day. While you won’t be able to prevent all major events from occurring on your launch day, you may do some research to ensure that your launch date does not coincide with any planned activities. According to studies, the greatest day of the week to launch an app depends on the category, and for the most part, the weekend is the ideal time to launch an app for most app categories (aside from business or medical apps, which generate the most revenue during mid-week).
You’ll want to make sure your software has been properly authorised by the App Store far ahead of your scheduled release date. It’s futile to plan for a specific date if you won’t be able to launch it on that day.
8. Plan a launch party:
Don’t forget to plan a launch party while you’re busy making sure your app launch goes off without a hitch! Not only do you deserve to rejoice, but a launch party can also help you attract your first customers.
It does not have to be particularly large. As we saw last year, you can put on a successful event even if it’s in the shape of a presentation or a webinar.
When arranging an app launch party, make sure the time and day of the week are ideal for the largest number of attendees.
You’ll also want to reach out to your early adopters, as well as journalists and bloggers, to invite them to cover your launch party and app.
Finally, if you’ve opted to hold an offline event, make sure your venue has enough wifi to accommodate all of your attendees during this time so they can download your app. If your app is a paid app, try providing guests a code that allows them to download it for free.
While you’re still in the pre-launch process, follow all of our rules and you’ll be well on your way to a successful app!