Creating a great app isn’t the only thing app creators have to think about.

If the app never makes it into an app store, users might never get to experience the benefits of the creator’s hard work.

Looking at all the other steps beyond development is vital to helping an app reach the hands of potentially millions. It also helps create a realistic timeline of when an app is truly ready for the public.

App Store Listings

The App Store and Play Store both have their own unique policies for listing an app. If the quality isn’t right or there’s obvious compatibility issues, the app will be denied. Reading through all the rules before submitting an app helps reduce the time between development and final approval.

Another thing to consider is how to list the app itself. Include the most relevant keywords to ensure the app shows up in the store listings. For the description, focus on the first three lines as these are what users see first in the listing. Also make sure to add both a primary and secondary category to make the app easier to find.

Approval Times

An app creator might give you a set timeline for when your app will be live. What they might forget is how long it takes for the app to be reviewed. Depending on the marketplace and how many other apps have been submitted recently, it could take as little as a day to over a week.

AppReviewTimes lists the latest wait time for iOS apps which at the time of publication was eight days. Even though Google switched to manual reviews for the Play Store, review times are still performed within hours. During busy times, it could still be just over a day.

Update Schedule

Development isn’t complete after the initial release. An app still needs to be updated on a regular basis to take care of any bugs and to add new features. As new devices are released, compatibility updates might be necessary as well. Deciding on an update schedule and how bug reports are handled is important to consider before an app is released.

If possible, an app creator could interact with reviewers in the app marketplaces to find out what issues they’ve encountered or what features they’d like added. Responding to comments improves user satisfaction and keeps them using the app.

App Size

It’s easy to get carried away and create a massive app. The problem with that is users don’t have room for larger apps. Even the APK size is important. For instance, Google only allows a 50 MB APK unless you use an expansion file.

Trimming down apps without sacrificing quality can help boost how popular the app becomes. With more downloads, an app is listed higher when users search for specific keywords. Taking out unnecessary features or using simpler graphics helps reduce the overall size, making users more likely to download an app to begin with.

Free Or Lite Version

Many app creators never think about creating a secondary version of a paid app. Those creating free apps usually only have to worry about adding in a place for adds or in-app purchasing content. Users look at the price of apps and may not try an app that costs $4. Add in a free lite version of the paid app and it’s a kind of try before you buy deal.

These lite versions are free and give users a chance to test drive the app to see if it’s right for them. These could be limited time demos or versions with a few less features. They might seem unnecessary at first, but a quick free trial boosts downloads of the paid app by showing users exactly what you’re offering.

Conclusion

Give your app the best possible chance at success by considering things such as approval time, app store rules and even how updates are handled. Though all easy to overlook, the best app creators take all of these into consideration. Ask your own app creator about these before starting any project to ensure these don’t become issues later on.

Tired of app that fall short of what you want? Trust your next Android or iOS app development project to StuartMedia.

Image: PhotoAtelier