Need help launching an app startup? This article will discuss some of the ins and outs of performing an app startup. Topics including testing and launch activities. Now, have you had this conversation before?
Friend 1 : Any idea for a startup?
Friend 2 : Let's do an app.
Friend 1 : Excellent idea.
This is a very common dialog you can hear in the present days. According to JMango360 mobile usage has been increasing immensely past few years.
With a timely idea you have one of the best chances to be successful.
App Startup Tests
So let's say you have got yourself an MVP App. Great! Now it needs to be tested and verified prior to releasing to general public. There are 2 main tests that can be performed:
- Alpha Test
- Beta Test
According to Guru99 Alpha Testing can be defined as "Alpha testing is a type of acceptance testing; performed to identify all possible issues/bugs before releasing the product to everyday users or the public. The focus of this testing is to simulate real users by using a black box and white box techniques. The aim is to carry out the tasks that a typical user might perform. Alpha testing is carried out in a lab environment and usually, the testers are internal employees of the organisation. To put it as simple as possible, this kind of testing is called alpha only because it is done early on, near the end of the development of the software, and before beta testing.".
Alpha Testing
Alpha Testing can be sub categorised into two :
- Pre Alpha - At this stage the software is a prototype with a completed UI.
- Alpha - At this stage the software is near complete, and is tested for bugs and issues.
And Beta Testing is defined as "Beta Testing of a product is performed by "real users" of the software application in a "real environment" and can be considered as a form of external User Acceptance Testing. Beta version of the software is released to a limited number of end-users of the product to obtain feedback on the product quality. Beta testing reduces product failure risks and provides increased quality of the product through customer validation. It is the final test before shipping a product to the customers. Direct feedback from customers is a major advantage of Beta Testing. This testing helps to tests the product in customer's environment."
Even though you created an awesome app, it doesn't become a success until you properly market you app to your audience. I would say it is the most crucial point of turning you app to a successful startup.
The best place to start marketing your app is on the App stores. Currently the leading app stores are Play Store for Android and App Store iOS. If you wish to know more about launching an app to an App Store, check out learnappmaking.com or MindOaks. If it's too 'techy' for you, you should engage your developer for this activity.
Launch Activities
If you have already deployed your app, you are probably wonder if you can put your feet up and call it a day? Absolutely not. This is when you begin an iterative cycle of marketing to various mediums to increase you chances of reaching your targeted audience. So let's have a look at the most common launch activities.
1. Ads - You can run online ads mainly Google Ads which will immensely increase you chances of success.
2. Blogs - Even though blog articles seems like a thing in the past, they are still proven a reliable source of grabbing people's attention.
Next thing is getting involved with vloggers. Why you may ask. According to Group High vloggers have a wide array audience and majority are idolising the vlogger. So why not ask them to deliver the message to their audience. After-all vloggers are also in the look out for content.
3. Launch Events - Seems like an expensive choice but if you really want make an impression, this is the way to go. All industry leaders for example Apple always make a priority to Launch Events when it comes to new introductions.
4. Offers - Who doesn't like a deal. At the first glance this might not seem like first choice especially for a startup. But providing offers to the users will help you in the long run.
After these early phase activities, you will need to invest in sustaining the app and gaining credibility in the community. The best way to do this is by getting your app reviewed by tech reviewers. Let's be honest, what is the first thing you do when you want to buy something. You check out the reviews, Am I right? Don't be scared of a bad review, because that's free feedback to get your product just right.
You will need to keep your app updated and well supported through out its lifecycle. Spend time to follow the latest trends and consider short terms launches of new features to keep your app top of mind. You will need to manage the risk of your audience moving away to a better app.
I hope this helped you and wish you the very best with your app startup.
References
- Mobile Apps & Mobile Websites: Definitions ( https://jmango360.com/wiki-pages-trends/mobile-app-vs-mobile-website-statistics/ )
- Alpha Testing Vs Beta Testing ( https://www.guru99.com/alpha-beta-testing-demystified.html )
- How To Launch Your App - iOS ( https://learnappmaking.com/how-to-launch-an-app/ )
- Upload Your First Android App on Play Store - Step-by-Step ( https://medium.com/mindorks/upload-your-first-android-app-on-play-store-step-by-step-ee0de9123ac0 )
- The power of vlogging ( https://www.grouphigh.com/blog/the-power-of-vlogging/ )
If you need help with launching your app, get in touch with Fonseka Innovations. We offer end-to-end service to help you manage your app startup journey.
