If you’re getting ready to launch an iOS app, then you’ve likely come a long way. Ideation, strategy, development, testing…the mobile app development process takes a lot of time and work, and now the majority of that is in the rearview mirror. Yet, this is no time to relax; your launch strategy is crucial to your future success. Here are a few procedures that you need to know about, and hints on how to optimize your iOS launch.
Getting Started
You want your launch to be perfect. And, even if it goes well enough, there are many factors that might lead users to uninstall within the first few days; be sure to focus on all those reasons throughout development. The process to get your mobile iOS app approved for the App Store is very exacting, as Apple has a top-notch reputation to uphold. Following their rules while concentrating on quality assurance and user experience should produce the ideal app for the Store.
Here, we’ll summarize the five guidelines Apple requires your app to adhere to for acceptance and continued success.
Safety
This seems basic, but there are multiple ways you can infringe on these personal conduct codes and safety guidelines. Your app can’t contain “objectionable content”, like depictions of violence, pornography, or any discriminatory content. Yes, this is subjective as per the administrators at the App Store, but you should be able to know what’s right and wrong here.
If your app is equipped to accept or feature user-generated content, all of that has to comply as well, even if it’s not yours. The same goes for any social network your app may host. You need to have filters, the ability to block abusive users, and clear and responsive contact information.
If your iOS mobile app includes any health recommendations that may lead to physical harm or endangerment, it will also not be permitted on the App Store.
Performance
As we mentioned above, the App Store’s reputation and integrity needs to be protected. Therefore, any app that is considered for inclusion needs to perform up to their standards. As extensive beta testing should already be part of your development process, your app should be glitch- and bug-free anyhow. You also need to properly report and represent all the metadata within your app, including accurate features, in-app purchase capability, and proper ratings for appropriate content. Additionally, your app needs to work seamlessly on approved devices (i.e. iPhone and iPad) and have finely tuned software to boot.
Business
Profiting from the monetization of your mobile app is an obvious priority, whether you offer a free download with in-app purchases or a paid download. But, especially when you’re dealing with other people’s money and payments, you have a long list of specific guidelines on how you need to regulate that, so read them closely.
Design
Same idea here, as design is the union of form and function. These guidelines discuss basic minimum expectations, like staying clear of intellectual property and copyright infringement, minimal functionality, and regulating issues like extensions and spam. Your app will be featured in a Store that hosts insanely popular and successful apps…make sure yours looks and acts like it belongs there.
Legal
As with many extensive legal agreements, the normal tendency would be to skim it and comply. However, it’s probably a good idea to retain an attorney to closely examine the rules and make sure your app complies. Data collection, storage and use are particularly salient points, as privacy is always a hot button issue, and this is even more important when children are expected to use the app and volunteer information. There are also guidelines that pertain to intellectual property and gambling features. Play it safe, and hire a lawyer.
Other Factors to Consider
Of course, there are several other areas of a launch to consider when planning. Having an organized strategy and checklist, for a mobile commerce app for example, is crucial for future success, and here’s a few factors that should be on that list.
- Market Research: You need to know who you’re targeting, and if there are any other demographics that you aren’t giving proper attention to. For example, it’s fairly well known that Apple devices and iOS platforms are more popular in North America and Western Europe than in the rest of the world. So, you might want to either appeal to those locations or try to break into another market. Likewise, iOS users are probably more likely to spend a bit more on devices, services, and apps, so developers could plan accordingly along those lines. There’s lots of existing data and research out there to consume, and conducting your own studies and surveys can also be a clever investment.
- Marketing: Marketing strategy planning needs to start way before the scheduled launch. Creating and sustaining a buzz is essential, and well-thought content strategy is typically the primary stage. Blog posts, white papers, videos, and industry expert recommendations should be created, scheduled, and posted on relevant social media platforms in a measured way. You should have a landing page dedicated to your iOS app, and putting content behind simple gated registration forms can help you build your email list also. Getting the excitement for your upcoming app, and sustaining that through the launch and beyond, should be your ultimate goal.
- Study the Details: If you’ve spent any time on the iOS App Store, you know that the smallest detail can end on either a download or a scroll through. Icons, app names, and even color and font can make or break an app, so comprehensive research and testing on every small aspect of your iOS app is necessary. Exciting and informative videos of your app in action should be professionally produced, and select keywords should be carefully placed throughout your content to boost your SEO. There are too many details to list, so you should have regular meetings with your development/operations/IT teams to brainstorm through any possible issue.
Final Thoughts
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”. There is no more apt statement to keep in mind as you approach your mobile iOS app than this one. Comprehensive strategy and planning is the best way to anticipate and react to all the chaos of a launch, so discuss this with your app development partner and see what needs to be done.
Do you need help launching your ios app? Get in touch with Koombea today for a free consultation!
