[Q] Promoting a Paid Only App - General Marketing & SEO

Hey all!
Not too many days ago I launched my new music player for Android - PlayLine. I've been trying to increase my app's visibility in the market ever since.
Do any of you have tips as to how one should go about promoting a paid only app? Or would you propose that I create a trial/ad-supported version in order to post on XDA app forums etc.?
Thanks in advance!

gedemis said:
Hey all!
Not too many days ago I launched my new music player for Android - PlayLine. I've been trying to increase my app's visibility in the market ever since.
Do any of you have tips as to how one should go about promoting a paid only app? Or would you propose that I create a trial/ad-supported version in order to post on XDA app forums etc.?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not buy a paid music app when there are tons of free ones out there, at least, not without trying it first.

gedemis said:
Hey all!
Not too many days ago I launched my new music player for Android - PlayLine. I've been trying to increase my app's visibility in the market ever since.
Do any of you have tips as to how one should go about promoting a paid only app? Or would you propose that I create a trial/ad-supported version in order to post on XDA app forums etc.?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't releasing a free/demo version?

Looks really nice but I agree with the above. Either go for a limited free version or probably more suiting to your business model have a trial version. PowerAmp is a paid app but their trial version is what sells it

crazyfool_1 said:
Looks really nice but I agree with the above. Either go for a limited free version or probably more suiting to your business model have a trial version. PowerAmp is a paid app but their trial version is what sells it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers! I will probably end up making a free ad-supported or somewhat limited version

spend some money
Choose cpc/cpi or incentive based
1-If CPC use Admob/mobclix/Jumptap/appleiads (u will paythem for almost 1000 views ur add gets)
2-If incentive based/cpi use than Appbrain and tapjoy
3-Use applifier or tapfortap where you can both exchange adds

Related

Discussion thread: "Paid apps" are here!!!

I know the android market will start charging next week and I understand some apps have an expiration date on them and eventually they will expire. So this may not work for those apps and I could be totally wrong in my theory.
I'm going to try not updating my apps for a month or so because I fear some of the apps that were meant to be free the developer may decide to start charging and with an update put an expiration date on that app.
I know one app did this already. I forgot the name but it had the planet saturn as the icon and it was meant to be free but the developer decided to start charging and make it a demo version with an update. He got flamed in the comments and eventually took his app down.
Call me cheap but about 90% of the apps I have are not worth paying for but they are nice to have.
PLEASE POST ANY APPS THAT HAS STARTED CHARGING WITH AN UPDATE OR HAS TURNED INTO A TRIAL VERSION WITH AN UPDATE.
NOTE: I HAVE NOT TRIED SOME OF THESE APPS TO CONFIRM THE CHANGE. I AM SIMPLY GOING BASED OFF OF THE POSTS. PLEASE NOTIFY OF CORRECTIONS.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Force Ring (If you still have it keep it. Is not look for stats555's sig.)
SMS Commander (The original app is dead. The developer has put the new app in the market. Dont uninstall the original.)
Park Mark (It was originally updated to a demo and now the words demo have been removed from the description. I don't know if it is a demo or not anymore. Keep pre demo.)
Dog Catcher Beta (If you downloaded it before you had to pay for it... there is no prompt to pay for it yet.)
World Clock (is now a trial version. Keep original don't update)
Advanced Task Manager (Is now gone from the market. You have to pay for the new version.)
Quickoffice (Also gone from the market.)
1 click direction (Is now a paid app. I don't think the new app has any changes except now its $2.99)
force ring is what you lost
i lost it too
good idea
keep us updated
drewfinkel said:
force ring is what you lost
i lost it too
good idea
keep us updated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh yes. It let you raise and lower your phone volume via sms. Kind of like sms commander.
Will do.
As soon as someone upgrades an app that adds an expiration date, they should mention it here.
Some of us don't mind having an older version for free
Depending on the app though. Some i'd pay for.
topdnbass said:
As soon as someone upgrades an app that adds an expiration date, they should mention it here.
Some of us don't mind having an older version for free
Depending on the app though. Some i'd pay for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a good Idea and Ill try to keep the list updated on the original post. Any app that starts charging or any app that turns in to a trial version with an update we should include.
drewfinkel said:
force ring is what you lost
i lost it too
good idea
keep us updated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will keep force ring in my signature, will not update it as its very popular so if you need it grab it anytime.
stats555 said:
I will keep force ring in my signature, will not update it as its very popular so if you need it grab it anytime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that.
If you have and use the app, it's obviously worth paying for.
The question is, how much is it worth If it's something valuable enough to keep on your phone, I'd think 99 cents is more than fair.
ParkMark & Geodroid
When I was browsing in the Market 12 hours ago I saw 'ParkMark Demo' instead of 'ParkMark'. I read the description and there was told about trail expires on march, 1st. When I read the comments the users were disgusted about paying for such an app.
Now I looked at ParkMark again and its name was switched back to 'ParkMark' and there isn't mentioned anything about "trial" in the description.
So it could be they reconisdered and kept ParkMark free or they hided every information about trial so everybody makes the (hidden trial-) update.
EDIT:
Found this at the developer homepage:
ParkMark (and all applications for the G1) is currently free. The update will be a low cost app once the market gets going and a demo version will be available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is also the developer of the Geodroid -App, which also turned to demo.
MacFloid said:
When I was browsing in the Market 12 hours ago I saw 'ParkMark Demo' instead of 'ParkMark'. I read the description and there was told about trail expires on feb, 31st or march, 31st. When I read the comments the users were disgusted about paying for such an app.
Now I looked at ParkMark again and its name was switched back to 'ParkMark' and there isn't mentioned anything about "trial" in the description.
So it could be they reconisdered and kept ParkMark free or they hided every information about trial so everybody makes the (hidden trial-) update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I was worried about with the apps.
So if we have apps that are currently free&they add a fee to them in the future wed be charged for them even though when we downloaded them ,they were free?
World Clock
World Clock by Thinlet is now a trial.
It was free w/ over 10k downloads but then he/she/they had an update w/o notice of what's changed & that's when people started noticing it was now trial. Weak.
I accidently updated parkmark, indeed it's name on the phone is now ParkMark Demo...kind of deceptive imo :/
It's Park Mark free for me...
Does anyone have the old APK file?
cmavr8, yup, another updated version! seems the maker of parkmark watches out little forum They changed the app description to "This version free forever" "full paid version coming April 1st". So i think we're good for now.
What is the method of extracting the APK file from my phone for an application that i want to save?
As a user, I definitely understand the desire to have all apps be free. But I also know that in order for apps to continue to be developed and improved, there needs to be some sort of motivation to do so. A couple dollars or less is certainly reasonable for good quality apps. As a developer, I can tell you that it takes a lot of time and energy to produce a quality app and there comes a time when it is simply not worth it without some sort of compensation. Remember, developers have lives, families, etc... they don't exist to simply serve the user. That being said, I think that all apps that are already available for free (and are not demo versions) should remain free, and I think most will. At least it's not the Apple App Store, I mean come on all those folks paying for fart machines and other inane apps. I think it's good the Android Market has had some time to get some of those types of apps out of the way for free.
Feel free to download my app, as I will not be charging for it unless I do some major overhaul of new features, which would require me to charge. I don't see that happening, however. Not that I think there is a huge market for my app as it is a specialized tool for a certain industry...
I would hope that a 'new' version is created for the pay version, instead of forcing a paid upgrade. That seems like the solution that would encourage payment for additional "new and improved" features.
Of course. Besides, the terms of the Market require that to be the case.
Hey does anyone have the maverick.apk? I accidentally deleted it from my sd & its not in the market anymore. I looked in stats sig but I couldn't find it there either.

Android Mate = free alternative to Root Manager?

Just read about Android Mate. Sounds like it could be the free alternative to Root Manager many people are looking for (I know I am... don't want to purchase Root Manager cause I am not sure if I will be keeping my Vibrant).
The article I read on it claims Android Mate works, although it may take a few attempts.
(For those wondering, I read about Android Mate at hxxp://dottech.org/android/free-app-reviews/17673 <--- I can't post proper link, hence the hxxp, cause I have new account but I assure you that is a legitimate website.)
Root Manager is free, but there is a donate version to give back to the developer for all his hard work.
I'm lost... how is Root Manager free? It says 1.99 euros under marketplace. I am not too sure how this whole donateware thing works, but from what I understand it is just another name to charge for apps? Someone please correct me if I am wrong (noobie here).
I got Root Manager last week
^ dude, come on man....
speoples20 said:
Root Manager is free, but there is a donate version to give back to the developer for all his hard work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is this free version you speak of? I can't find it on the market. I like to try before I buy.
Come on guys, if you are too cheap to split a couple of euros to the developer, maybe you should stay away from rooting your precious $500 phones
^^ You have a 24 hour window when buying from the market you know?
You guys cant help a developer with an amazing app?
Wrong section.
I am all for paying for good software. I buy Cyan beers and pay for apps. As stated above, just spend the couple bucks.
If your too cheap to buy the app Koush does have functionality in the free version of Rom Manager. It only limits you to a few features. Click on ads to help him out at least.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
http://www.appbrain.com/search?q=rom+manager
Free and Paid versions available in market place... search for "ROM Manager"
Oh, nevermind. I was thinking of Root Explorer, not Manager.
I'm not against buying apps I'd actually use. I see no need for Root Explorer yet, was my point of wanting to buy before I try.
I've only had an Android phone for about a month, and I have yet to purchase anything. There's so many apps out there it's hard to know what's worth it and what isn't. Still trying to decide between purchasing App Alarm, or Alarm Clock Plus.
Root Explorer basically allows you to move files around that other file managers do not have access to, thus you can avoid having to use adb/fastboot and typing commands. Just move files around and voila.
angryPirate12 said:
http://www.appbrain.com/search?q=rom+manager
Free and Paid versions available in market place... search for "ROM Manager"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats ROM Manager, not ROOT Manager.
@People saying "just buy it": As I already mentioned, I don't know if I will be keeping my phone so I don't want to spend the money. Plus, I could "just buy" plenty of apps and rack up a huge bill. Id rather save my budget for apps that don't have free alternatives.
Thanks for the root explorer explanation.
I'm not having much luck with android mate. Have you tried it? I try to delete folders of apps I've uninstalled but they don't get deleted. That and the constant loading bar when trying to view folder contents. Is this working for you? Maybe root explorer would be helpful for me if it serves the same purpose.
I don't mind buying apps and I often give donations to devs who's apps and roms I use. Only trouble is that in many countries payed apps are not yet implied in the market. And here in my country (Netherland) very few people use creditcards and there hard to get (unlike America).
Just give me Paypal ore something similar.
I quite like Super Manager myself. Has ads on it so you can still support the dev.

Do Developers get paid for selling apps on ANDROID market?

Ive noticed apps on the Market that says, FREE (with ADS) and also PAID / Pro Version of the same app (for a fixed price lets say £3.00)
Now ive noticed the count on download apps for a app that is £3 to be 250.000 > downloads ... which means £750.000 has been paid into the market just from this single app ?????
How much would the developer of this app see from the £750.000 that has been made? And am I also right that ADS on their software also let the developer gain money??
Seems to me you can earn a lot of money for a well populated app... ???
You answered your own question. Developers SELL (obtain money for their product) their apps. Free apps that include ads, the developer also gets money. It's just like youtube videos.
Surely Google must take commision as well??
Yeah, that's the goal
But face it, people are cheap...even for a $0.99 app! And that "super duper, can't live without it app" is all so elusive.
So developers will put out a limited or crippled version of their app for free in hopes that people will buy the full version.
Oh yeah Google takes their cut; it's pro-rated on the number of app sales you have.
Lookiing closely at other apps and focasing on one partiuclar app called Fotmob which I have purchased. It is a really good app that is for any football supportors out their giving details of a list of attributes such as, Live Scores - Fixtures - News - and Table..... Its probably the best football application Ive bought.
Now focasing on a a certain point on the development part of the app
1) Live Score's ... Gives a list of live playing games and their score line next to it. - Am curious on where the data comes from? Surely it isnt edited As games are played because that would be practically impossible to keep up to date therefore it must use a similar command such as a Fetch_arrey syntax. Now where would the user of FOTMOB Fetch the data from?? it must be a reliable known source such as BBC SPORTS / SKY SPORTS to keep its app up-to-date during the live games??
Is that right?
duffy1807 said:
Ive noticed apps on the Market that says, FREE (with ADS) and also PAID / Pro Version of the same app (for a fixed price lets say £3.00)
Now ive noticed the count on download apps for a app that is £3 to be 250.000 > downloads ... which means £750.000 has been paid into the market just from this single app ?????
How much would the developer of this app see from the £750.000 that has been made? And am I also right that ADS on their software also let the developer gain money??
Seems to me you can earn a lot of money for a well populated app... ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not as black and white as that.
Firstly, you'd have to be an brilliant developer to get 250k+ downloads from a paid app. If you see an app like that, 9 times out of 10 it will be a company, not a single developer.
Secondly, 250k downloads is the amount of times an app has been downloaded, not the amount of times people have paid for it. e.g., around 40% of those downloads will be from people who refunded.
and lastly, Google take a ridiculous amount of money from you for each sale.
For example, my app sells for £2.00, but google takes £0.60 of that. It might not seem like a lot but it mounts up quickly.
So, 250k downloads isn't as much as you think if you start to look into it (but, it's still a hell of a lot for a single developer to get!!)
Well said Mellus.
And some of these so-called "great" apps are just fancy front ends pulling data off the net or a RSS feed.
As you might gather, I do not have a lot of respect for "this" (or "self"...programmer humor) type of developer.
P.S. if you don't get the programmer humor, "self" is Mac Objective C's "this" pointer.
I make $1,500 a month ( single dev )
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
You make $1,500 off how many apps? How many installs. Free apps or paid?
Also, could someone comment on what's required to get started? I know there's a $25 dev fee, and I've read all the help text on the publish site.
What do most devs do for a website to link to in the market? Does Google offer anything? Use Go Daddy? What?
What do you use to create the graphics required for the market?
Other tips?
________________________________
Unrevoked forever
SkyRaider Sense 3.5
Radio 2.15.00.09.01
rigman said:
You make $1,500 off how many apps? How many installs. Free apps or paid?
Also, could someone comment on what's required to get started? I know there's a $25 dev fee, and I've read all the help text on the publish site.
What do most devs do for a website to link to in the market? Does Google offer anything? Use Go Daddy? What?
What do you use to create the graphics required for the market?
Other tips?
________________________________
Unrevoked forever
SkyRaider Sense 3.5
Radio 2.15.00.09.01
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About 15 apps. All paid.
You need to know how to make apps lol.
You need to make your own website ( not needed though)
Use photoshop.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Yeah I'm just getting into app development as well. I've currently got an ADWTheme out on the market for $0.99, and I make ~$0.69 per sale. There is really a ton of potential for profit if you get into individual app development as long as you can make stuff that people want. When I first released my theme I was making ~$10 a day off of it. after a month or so it's died down to ~$2.5 - $5 daily, but another factor is that I haven't updated it in a while haha. If you can manage to keep all of your apps up-to-date and appealing, you will do well.
If you are really interested in developing applications for android I would recommended watching these videos: http://marakana.com/techtv/android_bootcamp_screencast_series.html They've seriously helped me out a LOT getting off the ground
Newklearx3 said:
About 15 apps. All paid.
You need to know how to make apps lol.
You need to make your own website ( not needed though)
Use photoshop.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend Adobe Illustrator more than Photoshop for making graphics, at least it's what I prefer.
1. Make it look pretty
2. Make it fart
Yeah, nice LOL. Hey, if it sells, it sells. Wish I could write an app that sells thousands
I'm only a few months into development though, so it's "learn something new everyday" process. As the coding skills build, so will the quality of the apps....and hopefully sales.
Applications based on RFID concept?
Please allow me to ask if how much will it take for a developer on a full time basis to create an application that would run on both android and windows mobile.
This will be for a RFID concept
needless said:
Please allow me to ask if how much will it take for a developer on a full time basis to create an application that would run on both android and windows mobile.
This will be for a RFID concept
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about window mobile but check out corona SDK for developing.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Don't know why it's so difficult to answer a simple question.
70% goes to the developer, the remaining 30% is distributed to the cell carrier (if the carrier is authorized to receive fees for apps purchased on the market.)
Wikipedia explains it in such a way that even the most simple minded of folk can understand. It sounds like a few of you should read up on that, as opposed to providing vague, meaningless "answers".

10 £0.10p Apps/ 10 Days!

Bit of a newb post for me this one and I know you people probably expect better of me xD.. but what the hell..
FIRSTLY - Yes I know this thread is posted on other phones! However it's not on the Desire so some people may not know ^_^
If you haven't already noticed (it's hard not to!) the Android Market is celebrating it's 10 BILLION downloads, by offering us 10 popular apps each day, for just 10p/10cents (whatever your currency is)
There are 10 new apps each day, and if you have a problem with downloading them just check out this, and you can download them from your PC to your phone!
Might want to highlight the link a bit more
Too bad it's not possible to buy an app for future use.
I wanted to buy Asphalt 6, but I only have a Desire, so it's not possible
ZigmaDK said:
Might want to highlight the link a bit more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you wish
bortak said:
If you haven't already noticed (it's hard not to!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its hard to, yeah, but there are always people like me... sooo, thanks. I got 3 apps for .30$
ZigmaDK said:
Might want to highlight the link a bit more
Too bad it's not possible to buy an app for future use.
I wanted to buy Asphalt 6, but I only have a Desire, so it's not possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think apps are linked to google account? and you can redownload when you change device if you use your same account..
I got swiftkeyx because I figured it would come in handy one day though I prefer to use swype myself. I actually kind of hoped I could use it on a tablet when I get one then I noticed there is a different tablet version
Spent already $ 0.40 LOL
Oh... i want to buy these apps but i've got no credit card here -_-
Dunno what happened or how this works exactly, but last night i had swiftkey and endomondo for $0.10, and now they are regular price. As I remember, they were not listed on the promotion link in the market on my device, nor on the android market website. Now it's the same thing with awd launcher ex, it's not listed but it's $0.10. Anyone has a clue how this work? Do we know the exact list of apps that are available for $0.10?
they only do 10 apps per day, then the previous day's apps go back to regular price I think..
links on market don't update that quick either. better check the website if u want up to date info
xcly said:
they only do 10 apps per day, then the previous day's apps go back to regular price I think..
links on market don't update that quick either. better check the website if u want up to date info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed they only stay 10 cents for 24 hours then it goes to 10 new apps.
My guess is google wears the cost and still pays the dev the normal money they would get
lalek said:
Dunno what happened or how this works exactly, but last night i had swiftkey and endomondo for $0.10, and now they are regular price. As I remember, they were not listed on the promotion link in the market on my device, nor on the android market website. Now it's the same thing with awd launcher ex, it's not listed but it's $0.10. Anyone has a clue how this work? Do we know the exact list of apps that are available for $0.10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's 10 different apps every day, so the apps that cost 10p today will go back to normal price tomorrow, and so on and so forth. The website link I sent lists all of the available apps for that day, and I'm pretty sure the new market also has a category from the "main menu" type thing where it displays all the 10p apps.
Yay. Big link for me
I already bought 10 apps.
The reason I was moping was that I can't buy asphalt, because the desire I have isn't supported, so I can't even buy it.
So its not possible to buy for a future tablet, if your current device doesn't support it in the first place.
ZigmaDK said:
Yay. Big link for me
I already bought 10 apps.
The reason I was moping was that I can't buy asphalt, because the desire I have isn't supported, so I can't even buy it.
So its not possible to buy for a future tablet, if your current device doesn't support it in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi if you have access to another android device bit more powerful than desire then u can add ur google account on that if its got gb running and download it to that device. For example i also wanted asphalt 6 for my next device so i added my google account to sisters nexus s and bought it on there.

appbrain applift - is it worth spending any money?

Hi guys,
Does anybody has some experience with AppBrain and their paid application promotion services? Is it worth spending any money?
Good question. I think that if you have a highly valuable app, it really worth it as you pay about 20 cents per install that you will get back after only 2 to 4 clicks on ads. It's aslo useful to get exposure to countries where your app is not known yet. In other cases it doesn't worth it
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using xda app-developers app
Thanks! Until now I found only AppBrain - do You know about any other such service?
WittyPotato said:
Thanks! Until now I found only AppBrain - do You know about any other such service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep! If you mean CPI ad networks, i recommend you Appia. I use their offerwall, it performs at least as AppBrain offerwall
I mean in the publisher side, it must be the same from advertiser side.
You can do it on facebook too, it will cost you a little bit more but it worth to give it a try as they offer about 40$ for your first compaign and they allow you to target users with age, area, devices and even preferences (where you can select all what can be related to android and to your app)

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