Five things you should know before launching your mobile app in 2021

Launching a mobile app is a common aspiration many entrepreneurs and businesses share. On the outside, launching a mobile app may seem like a simple matter of uploading app builds to the Google Play and Apple App Store.

However, there are a number of things businesses must know before submitting their builds and launching mobile apps. In 2021, the pressure to get downloads is greater than ever.

There are over 2.87 million Android apps and 1.96 million iOS apps in the market. Competing with so many apps requires the right application of knowledge. The following sections break down five crucial things you need to know before launching an app in 2021.

#1 –  Code or no-code

The first big decision you have to make is choose how you plan to make your app. Ten years back, the answer would have been simple – hire a bunch of developers or an app development company. Code-based custom app development was the only real option companies had earlier.

The ground has shifted now. g features.

The best part? These automated tools make it possible for users to build apps without breaking the bank.

The choice you have to make is choosing custom app development or going with mobile app builders. The perception that app makers are only good for building simple apps is wrong. Tools like AppMySite help users build high-performance ecommerce apps without coding. Here a video guide on how to make an app on AppMySite.

Watch: How to make an app without coding?  

#2 –  App viability

The next step is app viability. You cannot hope to find app success by launching an app that doesn’t have any target demographic or unique feature. It is thus crucial to evaluate the overall viability of an app idea before launch.

How can you validate your app idea?

There are a number of criteria your app idea must meet. The following points cover some of them briefly-

• Demand – Study the market and verify if there is a real demand for your app idea. If there is no demand, do you have a unique feature or ecosystem that could create organic demand from scratch. A good example of this is Uber. People were not exactly crying out for a cab-booking app. However, Uber provided a great service in a nifty app environment and thus created its own demand.
• Defensibility – How easily can another company copy your app idea? If your app idea is unique and has potential, other companies will inevitably copy it. How easy is it though to copy your idea? Good ideas are hard to replicate and thus very defensible.
• Monetization – How do you plan on making money? No app has a long-term future without a plan to make money. Identify the app monetization channels you want to leverage before launching your mobile app.

#3 –  Launch strategy

There are two main launch strategies companies generally choose from – a stealth plan and a public rollout.

A stealth launch plan cuts away all the promotional aspects of your app launch. You simply launch your app and focus on retaining the users you have rather than acquiring new ones. Once the app starts getting organic word-of-mouth two to three months down the line, you push out marketing campaigns and promote your app across every viable channel.

A public rollout involves leveraging all marketing channels from the moment an app is live. It is the exact opposite of a stealth launch plan. The natural benefit of a public rollout is getting more app users right after launch. However, this makes it difficult for companies to enhance user retention in a significant way.

There is no option here that is objectively right and wrong. App companies have to look at their situation and take a call on the right strategy for their app.

#4 – Marketing plan

In the long run, every app company needs to maintain a constant stream of downloads. This creates the need for a comprehensive app marketing plan.

There are many avenues you can leverage to promote your mobile app. The key lies in choosing the right ones.

The first and most obvious way to get organic app downloads is app store optimization. It is easy to implement and manage and doesn’t hit the overall marketing budget a lot. Other avenues to promote the app include social media, app install campaigns, search ads, and more.

Every form of marketing has its own unique selling points. Your job is to recognize where your app marketing push fits in best. Success in online marketing often comes after a lot of trial and error. It is thus vital for app marketers to always remain open for experimentation and change.

#5 – Planning for failure

What if your app idea doesn’t work?

What if the launch strategy isn’t optimal?

What if your marketing plan doesn’t actually attract the target audience?

These are all possible scenarios no app company wants to deal with. And yet, these are all possible and can hurt the overall success of your app.

Before launching your app, you must prepare yourself for situations where your best-made plans don’t work out. This is a healthy exercise as it helps you find alternatives to your existing plan of action.

Very few app companies actually witness all the plans succeed. Many marketing tactics and app features fail from time to time. App companies must thus always expect failure and have alternative plans.

In conclusion

Almost anyone can go with code-free app makers. While anyone can make an app, not everyone can find app success. It takes a lot to find long-term success in the app world. The article covers five important things you must know before launching your mobile app in 2021. Armed with this knowledge, you have a realistic chance of building a successful app.