How to Launch a Mobile App Successfully | The Complete Guide

Mobile apps have become an essential part of our daily lives. As of 2021, there are over 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years. According to Statista, the number of mobile app downloads reached approximately 218 billion downloads in 2020, and is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% from 2021 to 2028. Therefore, knowing how to launch an app effectively can help you reach a vast audience and potentially generate significant income. However, with millions of apps available in app stores, launching a successful mobile app can be a challenging task. In this article, we will discuss how to launch an app successfully as Savvycom is a Vietnam best software development company.

Top 10 tips to a successful mobile app launch

Once you’ve done your research and determined that a mobile app is worth the investment, it’s time to figure out what kind of mobile app you’ll need for a successful launch.

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for how to launch an app; everything you need to do will be determined by research and test results. However, some universal steps apply to all apps.

1. Choose the right mobile platform

The first step on how to launch an app is to choose the right mobile platform. The two most popular platforms are Android and iOS. Android has a larger market share globally, while iOS dominates the high-income markets. Therefore, it is important to research your target audience and choose the platform that suits your business needs.

• Android dominates the global market, accounting for 87% of the market in 2020. However, the specifics are murky.
• In the United States, Apple devices dominate the market, with iPhones accounting for nearly 60% of smartphone users.
• Japan was even more Apple-crazed in 2020, with the iPhone being the preferred platform for more than 60% of users.
• The UK market is almost evenly split between iOS and Android, with Android accounting for slightly more than half of the market.
• In India, where over 90% of smartphone users own an Android device, Android has the largest market share.
• Android has nearly 80% market share in Germany and China.

Of course, you can develop your app for both platforms at the same time, reaching out to all potential users. However, doing so may be prohibitively expensive due to fundamental differences between the Android and iOS tech stacks:

Android

• Programming language: Kotlin, Java 
• Development tools: Android Studio, ADT (Android Developer Tools) 
• UI frameworks: Android UI, Jetpack Compose 

IOS

• Programming language: Objective-C, Swift
• Development tools: Xcode, Appcode
• UI frameworks: UI Kit, SwiftUI

Therefore, making the right decision on the platform is crucial for how to launch an app effectively. If budget allows, you can develop your app for both platforms to reach all potential users. However, doing so can be expensive due to fundamental differences in the Android and iOS tech stacks. Collaborating with mobile app development companies can help streamline this process.

2. Adapt for different devices

The sheer number of Android device models makes this issue more prevalent for Android apps than for iOS apps. However, the variety of iOS devices has grown significantly, with new models appearing each year. To have a successful mobile app launch, you must cater to all categories of platform users. This adaptability is essential when considering how to launch an app successfully.

To have a successful mobile app launch, you must cater to all categories of platform users. Not all iPhone users can or want to purchase the most recent model when it is released, and different iPhone models (and different versions of the same model) have different screen sizes, so your UI designers will have to create visual prototypes in various proportions. Certain features in one model can be removed or changed in another.

With Android devices, the variety of model-specific or manufacturer-specific nuances is even greater. Your designers and developers will need to adapt the build to a variety of devices depending on the type of app you plan to build, its functionality, and the required permissions.

3. Be mindful of new and trending technologies

When exploring how to launch an app, you should also keep up with emerging technologies. According to a 2021 report by Deloitte, 92% of consumers stated that technology enhances their lives, and nearly 61% of them prefer using apps that leverage new technologies such as AI and machine learning. Hiring a seasoned development firm to create and launch your app means your developers should be up-to-date on the latest mobile app development trends that can enhance user engagement.

Development trends:

• Security
• Anonymity
• Virtual and augmented reality
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Internet of Things
• Support for wearable devices
• Blockchain
• Mobile wallets

Design trends:

• Accessibility
• Motion UI
• Gestures
• Hidden navigation

Mobile app development is constantly evolving, and it is essential to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. Adopting new features and functionalities can make your app more attractive to users and increase its chances of success. For instance, implementing AI-based features, such as chatbots or personal assistants, can enhance user experience and set your app apart from competitors.

4. Invest in marketing

Effective marketing is crucial. According to a study by BusinessofApps, 60% of newly launched apps fail within the first year, often due to a lack of marketing and user engagement strategies. Starting marketing campaigns before releasing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) builds anticipation and helps you gain traction in the competitive market. A solid mobile app business plan can guide your marketing strategy.

We typically advise starting marketing campaigns before releasing an MVP. You’ll create anticipation and tension in this manner. However, it is critical to select the appropriate time and channels for your marketing campaigns.

If you launch your marketing prematurely promise an excessive amount too soon, and fail to deliver the promised scope on time, you will face reputational issues and, as a result, lose users and revenue.

Another stumbling block in marketing is deciding which channels to use to promote your app. Aside from app store optimization (ASO), there are numerous marketing channels available these days:

• Landing pages
• Advertisements on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and local networks such as WeChat)
• Publications from the industry
• Marketing on social media
• Content promotion
• Other apps may contain video or interactive advertisements.
• Participation in other apps’ offer walls
• Influencers
• Advertisements
• Offline marketing (such as billboards)

5. Give lots of love to backend and UI/UX design

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: mobile app users today have high expectations for apps; additionally, there’s an alternative to nearly every existing app. Simply alleviating a user’s pain is no longer sufficient. Marketing campaigns that are well-planned and skillfully executed will bring users to your app. However, in order to retain these users and attract a new audience through recommendations, your app must be:

• Aesthetically pleasing
• Simple to use and intuitive
• Rapid and high-performance

User expectations for mobile apps are high. A survey by App Annie found that 49% of users will uninstall an app if it crashes or experiences performance issues. To retain users and attract new ones through recommendations, it’s crucial to focus on backend stability and UI/UX design. This factor is essential when considering how to launch an app that stands out from the crowd.

6. Integrate analytics

App performance analytics is used to collect data on user behavior:

• How many people download your app?
• How long they use it before removing it (user lifetime)
• The average length of a session
• How many users sign up for an account?
• How many users become paying customers and when do they do so?
• How much money do your app’s users spend on average?
• The bounce rate of your app and the stage at which users abandon it

Understanding user behavior is key to improving your app post-launch. According to Localytics, apps that utilize analytics see a 32% increase in user engagement. Integrating analytics is crucial for identifying areas of improvement to ensure the success of your app. This data assists in learning valuable lessons about how to launch an app that resonates with users.

7. Release an MLP

A minimum lovable product (MLP) is an improved version of a minimum viable product (MVP). Both are concerned with providing an early release with only core functionality, frequently in a limited area.

The distinction between an MVP and an MLP is that an MLP focuses on establishing an emotional connection between a user and an app. To achieve an emotional connection, launch your app with not only core functionality but also a high-quality UI and UX.

Today’s market provides numerous alternatives to almost any mobile app. Users can choose from a wide range of apps with nearly identical functionality. To entice users to choose your app when it launches, it must either be a solution that is so unique that it cannot be compared to competitors, or it must provide users with an experience that they cannot find anywhere else. You can accomplish the latter by launching an MLP — an app with limited functionality as a work in progress but with a memorable interface design and refined user experience.

An MLP can also help your marketing efforts by increasing brand recognition.

An MLP (Minimum Lovable Product) is a version of your app that has just enough features to attract early users. Releasing an MLP enables you to test your app’s functionality, receive feedback, and make necessary improvements. It is also a good strategy to launch your app gradually, rather than releasing a full-featured app right away.

8. Testing never gets boring

Nothing turns people off new apps like bugs and crashes. When users have been using an app for a long time and something goes wrong after an update, many will give the developers a chance to fix it — it’s one of the benefits of having a large number of loyal users. That will not happen with a newly installed app. 

There will be no successful launch if there are bugs from the start, especially if you want to launch an app as a startup with no name recognition. So put everything through its paces as many times as you can. This step is crucial when strategizing how to launch an app.

9. Stay tuned with your users

In-app analytics are valuable, but user feedback is equally essential. A report by Zendesk states that 90% of customers believe that an FAQ section in an app is very useful. Staying connected with users helps you gather insights and make adjustments, which is invaluable knowledge on how to launch an app successfully.

To do so, you must be accessible to your users — monitor and respond to their app store queries and comments, set up monitoring of your brand mentions in search engines and social networks, and communicate with users through periodic surveys.

10. Find reliable partners who understand the mobile market

When launching a new app, having a professional mobile app development team can simplify the process. Their expertise will make navigating questions or challenges in mobile app development easier, which is vital for effectively learning how to launch an app.

A professional mobile app development team, on the other hand, will most likely make launching an app easier for you by leveraging their experience.

When a qualified developer does not have an immediate answer, they will know where to look for reliable sources of information. They’ll also provide data-driven advice when you’re at a crossroads, assist you in identifying and emphasizing your app’s unique value, and prioritize features for development.

Overall, hiring a professional full-stack development team will save you time and money while also providing you with some peace of mind as you prepare to launch your app.

Key takeaways

Launching a mobile app successfully requires careful planning, execution, and continuous improvement. The tips above are crucial for anyone looking to understand how to launch an app that delights users and stands out in a crowded marketplace.

The journey doesn’t stop at launch; ongoing updates and enhancements are necessary to keep your app relevant and competitive. By staying informed about trends, listening to user feedback, and continually optimizing your app, you’ll improve its chances of long-term success.

In conclusion, mastering how to launch an app involves a blend of strategic planning and execution. Follow these guidelines, stay adaptable, and be ready to innovate. With the right approach, you can launch a successful mobile app that users will love and enjoy for years to come. Additionally, understanding app monetization strategies will also help you generate revenue from your application, contributing to its overall success.