So you’ve got your app designed and underway and you can’t wait to see it on the App Stores. But hold up, don’t leave the marketing of your app until the last minute! The biggest triumph in app developing is convincing people to go to the App Store, somehow find your app amongst the millions of other apps, read about it and decide they like it, download it, input their login details and eventually… become a user of your app. It may not seem like it, but that’s a lot of effort to go to! You should make sure that your marketing strategy has just as much thought put into it as you put into the building of the app

But if you’re short on time (and who isn’t?) here’s our top 7 simple things you can do to improve your download figures.

1. Cover all bases

Just having an app isn’t always enough. Ideally it should have it’s own website and a twitter page at least. Even a single page good looking website is enough to create a professional image and give your app credibility.

The Two Dots Website uses clear imagery and extra content such as downloadable wallpapers, animated screenshots and press kits to market their app

2. Prepare to Launch

A launch party is a really important way to not only celebrate all the hard work you have been doing, but to raise awareness of your product, so make sure you have a proper do. Invite journalists from local/national press and seek out smaller tech bloggers to attend. Give away a goodie bag with a print of your app and something useful and relevant inside – a pair of phone screen friendly gloves for example! If you’re working on a budget then don’t underestimate the value of a few free beers and some pizza.

3. Don’t be afraid to go old school

Whilst social media and online tools are a fantastically effective and cheap way to promote your app, don’t neglect the more traditional methods. Really get into the mindset of your target audience. What do they read? Where do they go? What do they want? It might be that having a well placed newspaper advertisement is the best way to access your market.

Midem utilised various digital outlets as well as industry magazines and newspapers

4. Think outside the box

Yes it’s tacky phrase, but it’s true! A bit of lateral thinking never did anyone any harm. Doing something a little out of the norm is the best way to get people talking. If you have made an app relating to cycling – why not go round the city and tie labels with your app details onto bikes handlebars? If your app is a historical audio tour, hire a few actors to interact with people on the street. Do something  in keeping with your app that isn’t just handing out flyers.

5. Get to know the app store

Take some time to really get to grips with the app store. Look at all your favourite apps, your competitors apps and the apps you really hate. What’s different about them? How have they written their descriptions? What images are they using? Mold your appstore information carefully because this will be one of the most important factors in whether or not someone will download your app or walk on by.

6. Keep it up

There’s no point firing on all cannons for a couple of weeks during launch and then going quiet. You need to be building a constant, steady buzz from day one of your build, increase awareness during launch and then keep up a constant stream of interesting, engaging and worthwhile communication.

7. Take on feedback

We get it, your app is your baby. However, it is vital that you take on feedback and don’t be precious. Worked correctly, you can tern customer service into a valuable marketing asset. Address criticism publicly, call out for opinions, write blogs about issues. People like being listened to and at the end of the day there are no better advocates of your app than the people using it. Even if there are issues, if you listen and address them it will work in your favour.

Have you done any interesting activities to market your app or do you have a marketing related question? Please get in touch by commenting below or tweeting us @Calvium.