How to Launch a Mobile App Guide

1. How to Launch a Mobile App Guide MOBILE APPS HOW-TO GUIDE

2. 2 Mobile Apps How-to Guide A mobile app is a software application designed for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that have been built on a mobile operating system such as iOS, Android, Blackberry, or Windows. Mobile apps were originally developed for productivity and information retrieval. Today, over 91% of all U.S. citizens have their mobile device within reach 24/7 (Morgan Stanley). The rising use and accessibility of mobile devices has influenced many companies to enter this growing market with new and innovative use cases. This How-To Guide will outline the benefits of creating a mobile app, things to consider before building a mobile app, and an action plan to help you launch your new app. Mobile apps can help build stronger relationships with customers and prospects. The following section outlines a few other benefits that can result from creating a mobile app: Download the Demand Metric Mobile Marketing Playbook to leverage mobile marketing best practices. HOW-TO GUIDE Accessibility – Engage customers where/when it’s convenient for them. Speed – Apps store large amounts of info, which can greatly reduce loading time. Visibility – Frequent use helps to reinforce your brand and build loyalty. Reach – Combine marketing messages with interactive content. Profitability – Enter new markets. Communication – Allow users to communicate with each other. Benefits of Creating a Mobile App Mobile Apps 2 Mobile Apps How-to Guide A mobile app is a software application designed for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that have been built on a mobile operating system such as iOS, Android, Blackberry, or Windows. Mobile apps were originally developed for productivity and information retrieval. Today, over 91% of all U.S. citizens have their mobile device within reach 24/7 (Morgan Stanley). The rising use and accessibility of mobile devices has influenced many companies to enter this growing market with new and innovative use cases. This How-To Guide will outline the benefits of creating a mobile app, things to consider before building a mobile app, and an action plan to help you launch your new app. Mobile apps can help build stronger relationships with customers and prospects. The following section outlines a few other benefits that can result from creating a mobile app: Download the Demand Metric Mobile Marketing Playbook to leverage mobile marketing best practices. HOW-TO GUIDE Accessibility – Engage customers where/when it’s convenient for them. Speed – Apps store large amounts of info, which can greatly reduce loading time. Visibility – Frequent use helps to reinforce your brand and build loyalty. Reach – Combine marketing messages with interactive content. Profitability – Enter new markets. Communication – Allow users to communicate with each other. Benefits of Creating a Mobile App Mobile Apps

3. 3 Mobile Apps How-to Guide HOW-TO GUIDE Things to Consider The following is a list of things that you should consider before creating a mobile app: Mobile Apps Competitors – Evaluate your competitors and examine their mobile apps. A few things to consider when evaluating the competition include: Technology – Apple and Android represent more than 75% of the smartphone market (HubSpot). Learn about the different platforms that are available and start talking to developers. Use Cases – Your app must achieve some purpose to keep users coming back. Planning out use cases in advance will help you create a more personalized app. Brainstorm possible use cases and document them using our Mobile Marketing Business Case template. End Users – Identify your end users and use our Mobile Marketing Usage Survey to under- stand the following: Objectives – What outcome would you like to achieve? Fox example, will your app generate revenue or will it be free? Use our Mobile Marketing Strategy Scorecard to document your goals and objectives. Strengths – what are they doing right? Weaknesses – what are they doing wrong? User experience – Is the app easy to use? Is it easy to download? Metrics – number of downloads, overall rating, number of comments, etc. Expectations – what do they want the app to do? Interests – what would they use the app for? Goals – what do they want to achieve as an end user? Requirements – identify hard and soft requirements. Technology – what technology are they using? Feedback – what do they like/dislike about the apps they are using? Mobile apps are here to stay. With proper planning and execution, a well-designed mobile app will allow you to reach a broader audience, tap into new markets and become increasingly accessible to your customers and prospects. Bottom Line 3 Mobile Apps How-to Guide HOW-TO GUIDE Things to Consider The following is a list of things that you should consider before creating a mobile app: Mobile Apps Competitors – Evaluate your competitors and examine their mobile apps. A few things to consider when evaluating the competition include: Technology – Apple and Android represent more than 75% of the smartphone market (HubSpot). Learn about the different platforms that are available and start talking to developers. Use Cases – Your app must achieve some purpose to keep users coming back. Planning out use cases in advance will help you create a more personalized app. Brainstorm possible use cases and document them using our Mobile Marketing Business Case template. End Users – Identify your end users and use our Mobile Marketing Usage Survey to under- stand the following: Objectives – What outcome would you like to achieve? Fox example, will your app generate revenue or will it be free? Use our Mobile Marketing Strategy Scorecard to document your goals and objectives. Strengths – what are they doing right? Weaknesses – what are they doing wrong? User experience – Is the app easy to use? Is it easy to download? Metrics – number of downloads, overall rating, number of comments, etc. Expectations – what do they want the app to do? Interests – what would they use the app for? Goals – what do they want to achieve as an end user? Requirements – identify hard and soft requirements. Technology – what technology are they using? Feedback – what do they like/dislike about the apps they are using? Mobile apps are here to stay. With proper planning and execution, a well-designed mobile app will allow you to reach a broader audience, tap into new markets and become increasingly accessible to your customers and prospects. Bottom Line

4. 4 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 1 - Prelaunch 1 3 Prelaunch Create Content Create some “buzz” by marketing your mobile application thought various channels before the launch date. 7 Evaluate Metrics 6 Monitor Feedback 4 Distribution 2 Get Reviewed 5 Promote How to Build Buzz Across Channels Before Your Launch SEO App Store Optimization Checklist V I E W R E S O U R C E 4 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 1 - Prelaunch 1 3 Prelaunch Create Content Create some “buzz” by marketing your mobile application thought various channels before the launch date. 7 Evaluate Metrics 6 Monitor Feedback 4 Distribution 2 Get Reviewed 5 Promote How to Build Buzz Across Channels Before Your Launch SEO App Store Optimization Checklist V I E W R E S O U R C E

5. 5 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 2 - Get Reviewed 1 3 Prelaunch 7 6 4 2 Get Reviewed 5 Getting a favorable review from a trustworthy source is a great way to generate demand for your mobile app. Promote your app to industry bloggers by offering them a free download in exchange for an honest review. Encourage end users to write reviews. Create Content Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Distribution Promote Encourage Reviews from Trustworthy Sources 5 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 2 - Get Reviewed 1 3 Prelaunch 7 6 4 2 Get Reviewed 5 Getting a favorable review from a trustworthy source is a great way to generate demand for your mobile app. Promote your app to industry bloggers by offering them a free download in exchange for an honest review. Encourage end users to write reviews. Create Content Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Distribution Promote Encourage Reviews from Trustworthy Sources

6. 6 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 3 - Create Content 3 Create Content 7 6 4 2 5 1 People will only be interested in your app if they understand how they can benefit from using it. Be sure to add different types of content to explain how your app works. A few examples of useful content include: Video (Demo, Tutorial, etc.) Images (Screenshots, Diagrams, etc.) PDF User Guide Knowledge Base Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Distribution Get Reviewed Promote Prelaunch Ensure Ease of Use with a Content Marketing Plan Content Marketing Plan Playbook V I E W R E S O U R C E 6 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 3 - Create Content 3 Create Content 7 6 4 2 5 1 People will only be interested in your app if they understand how they can benefit from using it. Be sure to add different types of content to explain how your app works. A few examples of useful content include: Video (Demo, Tutorial, etc.) Images (Screenshots, Diagrams, etc.) PDF User Guide Knowledge Base Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Distribution Get Reviewed Promote Prelaunch Ensure Ease of Use with a Content Marketing Plan Content Marketing Plan Playbook V I E W R E S O U R C E

7. 7 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 4 - Distribution 3 7 6 4 Distribution 2 5 1 Research suggests that you should launch your app in one store first so that you can manage feedback, fix bugs, and concentrate on updates in one market before rolling it out to others. Examples of distribution outlets include: Apple's App Store Google Play Store (Android) Windows Store Create Content Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Get Reviewed Promote Prelaunch Distribute One Store At A Time to Clean Bugs 7 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 4 - Distribution 3 7 6 4 Distribution 2 5 1 Research suggests that you should launch your app in one store first so that you can manage feedback, fix bugs, and concentrate on updates in one market before rolling it out to others. Examples of distribution outlets include: Apple's App Store Google Play Store (Android) Windows Store Create Content Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Get Reviewed Promote Prelaunch Distribute One Store At A Time to Clean Bugs

8. 8 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 5 - Promote 3 7 6 4 2 5 Promote 1 Create a page for your mobile app on your website. Increase visibility by promoting your mobile app on social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Send out an email blast to your mailing list. Create Content Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Distribution Get Reviewed Prelaunch Promote Your Product/ Service In All Media Channels 8 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 5 - Promote 3 7 6 4 2 5 Promote 1 Create a page for your mobile app on your website. Increase visibility by promoting your mobile app on social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Send out an email blast to your mailing list. Create Content Evaluate Metrics Monitor Feedback Distribution Get Reviewed Prelaunch Promote Your Product/ Service In All Media Channels

9. 9 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 6 - Monitor Feedback 3 7 6 Monitor Feedback 4 2 5 1 Monitor the feedback that you receive from reviews and user comments. Positive feed- back can help increase popularity and down- loads. Negative feedback can help you iden- tify any issues with your app. Respond to users and improve satisfaction by incorpor- ating changes based on the feedback that you obtain. Create Content Evaluate Metrics Distribution Get Reviewed Promote Prelaunch Feedback Encourages Others and Asks for Improvement 9 Mobile Apps How-to Guide Action Plan STEP 6 - Monitor Feedback 3 7 6 Monitor Feedback 4 2 5 1 Monitor the feedback that you receive from reviews and user comments. Positive feed- back can help increase popularity and down- loads. Negative feedback can help you iden- tify any issues with your app. Respond to users and improve satisfaction by incorpor- ating changes based on the feedback that you obtain. Create Content Evaluate Metrics Distribution Get Reviewed Promote Prelaunch Feedback Encourages Others and Asks for Improvement

10. . 10 Mobile Apps How-to Guide 3 Action Plan STEP 7 - Evaluate Metrics 7 Evaluate Metrics 6 4 2 5 1 Review all metrics that are available. Use a third party metrics program to get more details on specific user metrics. Create Content Monitor Feedback Distribution Get Reviewed Promote Use our Mobile Marketing Metrics Dashboard to track and report on your results. V I E W R E S O U R C E Mobile Marketing Metrics Dashboard Prelaunch Monitor Metrics with the Marketing Metrics Dashboard

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