MattjDrake

With 10,000+ iPhone apps now listed on the App Store, getting your app noticed is crucial for the success of your business.

App Store Placement

The most significant variable in getting high sales in iPhone apps appears to be placement on iTunes / App Store.  This makes sense since customers need to be able to find your app in order to buy it.  I can personally attest that having an app placed in the top 50 lists of a given category will result in at least 8 times as many sales per day.

How Can You Get Your App Noticed?

The strategy that seems to make the most sense to me at this point is to try to position your app to get onto the “Top 100″ lists in your category.   Position on the Top 100 lists seems to be determined by a combination of sales volume and overall rating.   Bear in the mind that your app will be at the top of the “Just Released” list for 24 hours at best and this is a crucial time to think about how you are going to get your app onto the Top 100 list.

Five iPhone Marketing Tips

1 - Strategically Pick a Price Point

Think strategically about the price you set for your iPhone app.  This article in Edible Apple lists some detailed metrics on the pricing of apps.  According to Edible Apple, the average price of all paid apps is $4.19 while the most common price is $.99.  I suggest thinking of what you want your first month price to be and what you want your long term price to be.

The first month is crucial to getting some ranking so you may want to consider pricing yourself lower for the first month.  The hope is that the lower price will increase your sales volume and increase your chances of getting on the Top 100 list.

2 - Get your Icon Designed Professionally

You are a programmer.  The chances that you can design a great, eye-catching icon that conveys the idea of your app is laughable.  Your app icon is like your app’s business card and it is the only thing most people will see as they are scrolling through the App Store.  99Designs is a place where you can get icons designed for around $150-$200 and they use crowd-sourcing to create outstanding work.

3 - Make an App Description That Sells

This is your one chance to sell to your customer, make sure your screenshots and app description really sell your work.  If you cannot do this, get help on a website like E-Lance or learn how to write copy from a site like copyblogger.  If selling does not feel right to you, keep in mind that this is how people are going to get and appreciate the work you do as a programmer.

One more thing - this does not mean to misrepresent your product.  Make sure that you are delivering exceptional value and that your copy honestly represents this.  The last thing you want are people giving you 1 star reviews because you lied about what your app can or cannot do.  

4 - Get Good Reviews

Remember that it is good reviews as well as volume that affects your ranking on the Top 100 lists.  Obviously, the most important thing to have is an app that really stuns your users and compels them to right awesome reviews.  Make sure your product deserves great reviews, but also make sure to put on your suit of +3 Thick-Skin armor because you may need it here.

If you have any super-fans who are willing to try your product and write a review for now is the time.  You want those early positive reviews out their as soon as possible.

5 - Get a Website

I can’t tell you how many times I have read reviews on apps that I was interested in that had broken websites where customers where questioning whether the app was from “legit” sources.  Make sure you or your company has an online presence that reflects your app in a positive light.  Your website should have FAQ, support help, videos, tutorials, a blog and content that your users will find interesting.

Beyond all that, consider using your site as a vehicle to create a “web 2.0″ style community around you and your product.  The masters of creating a compelling webby 2.0 community are Jay and Sterling from Internet Business Mastery.  The goal is to start attracting those super-fans who to add tremendous value to your iPhone business.

That is IT for Now, But…

There are many more marketing approaches that can be tried in the iPhone app business.  What have your tried that seems to work?  Other ideas?

Put your comments down below, I am very curious what else is working for people out there.

Matt is the owner of App Shop, LLC. An independent mobile software development company. He is very interested in Internet marketing, the future of mobile software and micro-business. To change this standard text, you have to enter some information about your self in the Dashboard -> Users -> Your Profile box. Read more from this author