While mobile websites can easily be found and used by smart phone and tablet users, apps are a little different. Your target audience needs to first download the app to be able to interact, which means you need to let them know to look for it. Read on for 21 tried, tested and effective ways to promote your app.
2013 is mobile’s year (finally). As a marketer, it’s critical to understand your audience’s mobile usage to ensure they can find you when, where and how they’re looking for your business on the device of their choice.
Not all mobile entryways are created equal.
1 out of every 3 visitors to the average retail website is mobile only according to comScore. This means that you must provide an optimal mobile experience or you’ve lost a third of your potential audience. To that end, you need to know what device your prospects are using.
78% of smartphone users access a retail site via a mobile app. This makes sense since smartphone users are on-the-go seeking targeted information using less data that a mobile app provides.
56% of tablet users access a retail site via a mobile browser. Known as couch commerce, tablet users are in a shopping mode where they’re researching different options.
ComScore data also shows that 63% of mobile commerce (aka m-commerce) happens on a smartphone, underscoring the need to provide a mobile app as well as a mobile website. (As a point of reference, here’s additional mobile data.) But you need more.
When your mobile website is optimized for both smartphones and tablets, your website is findable and the information on it is accessible. This is often referred to as responsive design. It’s the first step to take in getting your information out to mobile users but it doesn’t offer as rich an experience as a mobile app can.
When you offer a mobile app, however, the user must learn about the app, download and install it before they can access your information. So, not only do you have to create the mobile app, but you must actively promote it to your potential users.
21 ways to promote your mobile app.
There’s no silver bullet to get your audience to download your mobile app. You need to use a variety of tactics to build your audience.
Fill a need. This means know your target audience and what type of information they’re seeking while they’re on-the-go, asSit or Squat does quite literally. Jay Baer refers to this asYoutility, quality information that helps your audience. If your app is useless, it won’t get used or recommended.
Promote your app on your mobile website. If someone has found your mobile website, they’re a prime candidate for using your app. Make it easy for them.
Feature your mobile app on your website. This doesn’t mean a small link in the footer. You need to promote it prominently where appropriate. Consider using a special offer to get customers to download your app to make it worth their time.
Get your app into the appropriate iOS and Android app stores. This provides more shelf space to get your app seen by potential users. It also facilitates the process of updating app information and functionality later on.
Leverage the power of your email newsletter. Since reading email is a major activity people do on their smartphones, let them know about your mobile app and make it easy for them to get it.
Include a link to your mobile app in your customer service emails. The great part of customer service emails is that they tend to go to customers’ main email address.
Link to your mobile app in your purchase confirmation emails. Like customer service inquiries, customers look for these emails. This is a great place to give a customer an incentive for another related purchase.
Incorporate a link to your mobile app in your email signature file. Go one step further and make everyone in your organization use this link.
Add a link to your mobile app on your business cards. It’s another way of expanding your reach.
Discuss your mobile app in the appropriate forums. Think Yahoo and LinkedIn Groups, Google+ Hangouts, Twitter chats and other venues.
Incorporate a link to your mobile app in your social media profile. Add this to your business’s key information. Remember people spend at least a fifth of their time on mobile on a social media site!
Promote your mobile app on social media. This means create a special tab on Facebook or a set of regular tweets.
Use social media advertising to support your efforts. These ads are highly targeted and therefore can be effective.
Create a blog post explaining the utility of your app. Include screenshots and other goodies.
Develop a video showing your app in action. This is useful to add to your YouTube page as well as your blog.
Promote your mobile app in your store. Mention your app in your signage and flyers to encourage buyers to download it.
Have a tablet or computer available to collect email addresses. Sending them a link to your mobile app is a great way to encourage prospects interested in your product line. Don’t have an extra device available? Then use an old fashion hand written list.
Post QR codes in your store, on your product and other offline media. Make sure that you include a call-to-action to encourage use.
Leverage other media. Promote your mobile app in other forms of advertising and media. For example, Project Runway encourages viewers to download their app to interact with their broadcast in real time.
Mention your mobile app in your presentations. Include your mobile app in your presentations. Include a special offer on the last slide or on your bio slide.
Remember, your goal is to create an app people want, can easily find, download and install to get more useful information.
About the Author: Heidi Cohen is a marketing professional who blogs about insights for digital and direct marketing. You can read more of her work here.
What do you think are the best ways to promote an app?