The mobile app market is tougher than ever. Each year, it gets harder to make your app stand out.
Why is that? Because thousands of new apps are launched every month in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. That’s why it’s super important to know the best mobile app marketing strategies.
We’ve put together this easy guide just for you, highlighting the most effective strategies for 2024. Keep reading to find out more!
Guide: How to create a mobile app marketing strategy
What is Mobile App Marketing?
Mobile app marketing is all about connecting with your users from the moment they first hear about your app to when they become loyal fans. To do this well, you need to:
- Know Your Audience: Understand who your users are.
- Reach Them: Find the best ways to connect with them.
- Communicate Clearly: Share your message in a way that resonates with them.
- Analyze Behavior: Look at how they use your app.
Mobile app usage usually follows a few stages, often shown as a funnel. Each stage needs different strategies and techniques for your marketing to succeed.
Keep in mind that users might move back and forth between these stages. This back-and-forth is known as the mobile engagement loop.
The best mobile app marketing strategies for promotion
In 2024, almost half of small businesses have their own mobile app, and many larger companies do too. This means competition is tough! To stand out, you need a solid mobile app marketing strategy.
One of the first steps in marketing your app is to define your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are important measures that help you understand how users are interacting with your app. By focusing on real-time data, you can spot any issues that might prevent users from fully engaging with your app.
How to Promote Your App – Stage 1: Awareness
At this stage, users are just hearing about your app for the first time. This could be through your launch promotions or strategies like App Store Optimization (ASO) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
The goal here is to spark interest in downloading your app.
Key Metrics for Awareness Stage:
- CPM (Cost per Mille): This tells you how much you pay for every thousand times your ad is shown.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): This percentage shows how many people clicked on your ad to learn more or download your app.
- Traffic Source: This tells you where users found your app (like social media, blogs, etc.). Tracking this helps you see which promotions are working best.
These metrics help you understand which marketing efforts are successful. If you notice low engagement, you may need to adjust your targeting or ad placements.
How to Promote Your App – Stage 2: Acquisition
Now that users are aware of your app, it’s time to encourage them to download and install it.
Key Metrics for Acquisition Stage:
- User Demographics: Gather data on your users, like age, gender, and spending habits. This helps you tailor your marketing to them.
- Number of Downloads: Track how many people actually download your app to gauge the effectiveness of your communication.
- Cost per Download: Calculate how much you spent on marketing divided by the number of downloads.
- Devices: Keep track of whether downloads come from Android, iOS, or tablets. This helps you target the right platforms.
By understanding where your downloads come from, you can focus on the most effective marketing channels and improve others.
Source: PexelsHow to promote an app – stage 3: activation
Now that users have downloaded your app, the next step is to get them to actually use it. Just downloading isn’t enough; many people download lots of apps but only regularly use about 10 of them.
“Users typically utilise an average of 10 applications per day”
In fact, up to 90% of users might uninstall your app after just one use. To keep them engaged, your app needs to create a “wow effect” and show its value right away. If users don’t have this positive experience, they’re likely to stop using your app.
Key Metrics for Activation Stage:
- Onboarding Sequence: This measures how well users are moving through the initial steps in your app. It could involve actions like creating an account, adding a first friend, or making a first purchase.
- Activation Percentage: This is the percentage of users who downloaded your app and completed the onboarding steps.
If you notice that many users are downloading but not using your app, it’s time to improve the onboarding process. You can do this by:
- Simplifying Instructions: Make the steps easy to understand.
- Improving Design: Ensure the app looks appealing and is user-friendly.
- Adding Incentives: Offer rewards or prompts that encourage users to take action.
By enhancing the onboarding experience, you’ll help users see the value of your app and keep them engaged!
How to promote an app – stage 4: Retention
Now that users have installed your app and gone through the onboarding process, it’s important to see how often they actually use it. By understanding their usage patterns, you can make improvements that keep them coming back.
Key Metrics for Retention Stage:
- Active Users: Keep track of how many users are active daily and monthly. This helps you see who is regularly using your app.
- Session Duration: Measure how long users spend in the app during each session. This information can help you identify which screens or tasks cause users to leave.
- Uninstall Rate: Monitor how many users uninstall your app and, importantly, when they do it. This can reveal patterns that need addressing.
If you notice that users aren’t coming back, it’s time to take action. Consider using incentives like:
- Push Notifications: Send reminders or updates to encourage users to return.
- Emails: Reach out with tips, new features, or special offers.
This stage is crucial for keeping users engaged and preventing them from uninstalling your app!
How to promote an app – stage 5: monetisation
Now that your app has become a favorite among users, it’s time to think about turning them into paying customers. If users appreciate the benefits of your app, they might be willing to spend a little for premium features or subscriptions.
Key Metrics for the Monetization Stage:
- Free to Paid Conversion Percentage: This shows how many regular users decide to pay for your app.
- Purchasing Time Frame: This tells you how long it takes for users to make their first purchase after starting to use your app.
If users are frequently using your app, consider offering premium features or special deals. By analyzing when users are most likely to buy, you can time your offers perfectly!
How to promote an app – stage 6: referral
When users are happy with your app, they’re likely to recommend it to their friends. This is a great time to encourage them to leave a positive review or a high rating in the app store.
Key Metrics for Referral Stage:
- App Review: Positive comments from satisfied users can attract new users.
- App Rating: High ratings (like five stars) on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store can boost your downloads.
- Social Shares: This counts how many times your app is shared on social media.
Apps with high ratings are more likely to be downloaded, especially when there are many similar apps out there. So, it’s crucial to stand out with excellent ratings.
Also, think about the timing when you ask for a review. A review from a user who just downloaded your app won’t be as valuable as one from someone who has used it regularly for a couple of weeks. Make sure they’ve had enough time to experience what your app offers!
How Do I Successfully Market My App In 2024?
Marketing your app is crucial for its success. To do it effectively, start by defining your target audience, using the right channels to reach them, and—most importantly—measuring everything you do.
A data-driven approach and careful planning help you reach your goals quickly and efficiently. Identify your main marketing channel early on, as this will likely be where around 80% of your downloads come from.
Whether you focus on App Store Optimization (ASO), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social media, paid ads, or a mix of strategies, having a clear roadmap is essential for effectively marketing and growing your mobile app.
Need Help from Mobile Marketing Experts?
If you’re unsure how to create a mobile app marketing plan, we’re here to assist! We can connect you with top app promotion experts from around the world.
At Easy2IT, we understand your needs. Our teams are experienced and have been thoroughly vetted to ensure you can trust us.
Let us help you find the best mobile marketing experts to promote your app successfully. Share your goals and needs through this form, and we’ll reach out soon with a solution!
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