Even though the success of your app depends a lot on you and what you do, it also depends on your competitors. So, your two step plan of attack is to keep an eye on your competitors and then respond to what they do.

Watching your competitors can start before you ever enter the App Store, in fact. You should look at the competitive landscape before you dive in with your app because it will help you do something different. It would be tough if you worked hard to build an app (or spend money to ask someone else to build it), then when you launched it in the App Store, you discover there’s another app exactly like it. The only thing worse would be if the other app is cheaper too!

Now, you can definitely have an app very similar to others. Or one that solves the same problem as others but does it better, has more features, or is easier to use, or costs less.

That’s what some competitive research can tell you – what you need to do to make your app different and better than the others. Because your app will be side-by-side with your competitors. If you make a racing game and someone searches for ‘racing game’ in the App Store, your app will literally appear right next to all the others. In a split second, your customer will need to decide to click on you or them. And, when they read your description and check out your screenshots in the App Store, they’ll need to make choice of your app or theirs.

The competition in the App Store can be fierce. It’s easy for you to make an app and sell it, which means it’s also easy for  your competitors to do the same. New apps are added every day. If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that the App Store won’t change. That makes it really exciting, but also tricky.

Now, some people will tell you that doing competitive research is hard and time-consuming. And if you think about all you want to learn about your competition, you might get overwhelmed. But there are shortcuts you can take if you know what you’re looking for. There are really only a few key things to keep an eye on.

And, when you’re first entering the App Store, there are some particular things you want to look for. When you know what they are, you’ll begin spotting opportunities everywhere in the App Store. Wherever there is a spot for a new app, you’ll see it once you train yourself to have a critical eye. The next great app idea is out there waiting for you. You might even have it now.

Selling your app is not the only way to make money in the App Store. Putting advertisements in your app can be an easy way to turn your free app into a profit. But how do you get started inserting ads in your app?

We will show you the basic steps to show ads in your app, and offer helpful links to companies that sell ads for you. Several mobile advertising companies have made it simple to put ads in your iPhone apps and start making money. Here is how you can insert ads in your apps and make the most of this prime opportunity.

Step 1. Choose a mobile ad service

If you are developing an iPhone app or already have created one, your first step to inserting ads in your app is to choose one of the many companies that will sell ads on your behalf. They line up advertisers to put messages online and share a part of the profits with you, the app developer.

Here are some options to consider:

• AdMob
• Medialets
• Smaato
• Mobclix
• Tapjoy

Signing up with these companies is like having a full-time ad sales force working you around the clock. You do not have to find sponsors, deal with billing, or insert each ad in your app. They do the work for you.

Step 2. Insert code into your app

Once you have signed up with one of the mobile ad providers, your next task is to choose where the ads will appear in your app.

You usually just put some lines of code in your app that says where the ad should appear. For example, someone at Mobclix showed how to insert the code in just a minute and other companies offer equally easy set ups.

Many times, you get paid based on how many times your ad is shown to users or clicked on by users, so it is important to choose a good location for your ads. On the other hand, you do not want the ads to distract too much with the operation or enjoyment of your app. You might want to test several different sizes and locations for your ads over time to see which ones work best in your app and yield the biggest profits – that is step three.

Step 3. Test and tweak

Once you insert the code, users who download your app will start seeing the ads – but your job is not done. To make your ads perform their best – and boost your profits – you will need to keep an eye on them and make any tweaks necessary.

The service that provides ads probably offers you a way to track their results. Take the time to learn how to use the reporting interface and what all the charts mean.

Then, start experimenting to see what works best with your users. You could decide to change the size or location of ads. Maybe you want to show ads only after every other startup or when the user takes a specific action. Keep on testing and tweaking for best results.

If you have a free app in the App Store or you are developing one now, consider placing ads in your app. It may not be right for every app, but the three basic steps we shared with you make it easy to get up and running today.

If you are interested in learning more about making money by having ads in your app, keep checking this blog for more tips. And, for the latest articles and advice, sign up for our email newsletter today.

Having a website to advertise your iPhone app is an essential part of getting all the sales you deserve. It is now easier than ever to set up a low-cost website in very little time, but that does not mean you should overlook some of the basics that can help you succeed.

One of the first decisions you will need to make when creating a website to promote your app is what domain name to use. While it is easy to actually buy the domain (we will show you the service we use below), choosing the right URL can be more difficult. It is what everyone will be typing in to get to your new website and it is the first impression they will have, so we share some tips to help you select a winner.

Many people will just use the name of their app as their web address – which is often the best choice – but the decision is made more difficult if that URL is already taken.

Regardless of the domain name you choose to use for your app website, keep in mind these tips for a winning web address:

• The shorter, the better: While most of the very short domain names are in use, it still holds true that a shorter name will be easier for your visitors to remember and type. Less than 10 characters is ideal.
• Consider names beyond “.com”: While domain names ending in “.com” is still the gold standard, you might consider domain names that end in “.net”, “.biz”, “.us” or others to help you find a shorter name.
• Avoid confusing names: You will not only be writing down your new web address, but you will also be telling people it. So, make sure it is easy to pronounce and is not easily confused with similar-sounding words.
• You may want more than one: If you have a .com domain name, consider buying the .net version too. It will prevent a competitor from buying it and ensure that if someone mistypes your address, they’ll still reach your site.
• It is easier than you think: If you have bought clothes or airplane tickets online, you have the know-how to get a great domain name. A good domain name service will walk you through it step-by-step.

There are many companies that sell domain names online, and many of them do a good job of it. The main differences are price and support. The domain name registrar we use and would recommend to any app developer is GoDaddy (www.GoDaddy.com) because of its easy of use and competitive prices.

Keeping all your URLs in one place is a huge time-saver, so sticking with one service like GoDaddy can help make things simpler. We are proud to share our affiliate link because it is the service we use to manage our web addresses: www.GoDaddy.com

Regardless of where you register your domain name, the most important tip is to do it now. Good web addresses can be hard to find – especially the shorter ones many people are looking for – so if you find a URL you like, grab it before someone else does.

How would you like to sell your iPhone app to millions of potential customers, with more signing on every day? Imagine that you offer your product 24 hours a day every day of the year and make money even while you are sleeping. You could focus on developing a great app because details such as credit card processing where taken care of for you.

Yes, we are talking about the App Store – the online super-store created by Apple where app developers sell their software and the millions of people around the world who have an iPhone or iPod Touch shop and buy.

As a developer, the App Store is where you need to be if you want to successfully sell your app and make money. How do you get listed in the App Store? You must submit your app online to Apple for review and approval.

To submit your app to the App Store, you use iTunes Connect, a service available through Apple’s website. First, you will need to join the iPhone Developer Program and pay a fee. Becoming a member is a requirement for submitting your app, and also allows you to access development tools, sample code, and FAQ guides.

Make sure you carefully read the guidelines for submitting your app on the Apple website to help you increase the chances the application you submit will be approved. Also, double check you have everything that is required to submit your app, such as a description of your app and an icon that meets their specs.

When you submit your app, Apple will need to review and approve it before you appear in the App Store. To maximize your chances, make sure you carefully test your app before submitting to ensure it works as you intended. Fix any bugs before submitting your app because errors can be a reason for rejection.

Also, make sure you are allowed to use any and all photos, videos, music, and trademarked words you use in your app. Improper use of copyrighted materials can also lead to your app being rejected from the App Store.

Submitting your app to the App Store is the first step to selling and making money from your great idea. If your app is approved, it will be put up for sale and made available to a large audience of iPhone and iPod Touch users.

There are many ways to promote iPhone apps you create so you increase your sales and boost your profits, and this site is here to help you. Sign up for our helpful, spam-free email newsletter today and receive a free App Marketing Power Pack plus more money-making tips in your inbox.

When you are creating or selling your iPhone app, it can be tough to stay on top of all the new tips for marketing your app. We make it easy by rounding up the latest articles, tools, and ideas to help you succeed. Check out these links:

How to boost sales by putting your app on MobiHand and Handango.

Top 15 mobile marketing columns of 2009.

Will Apple go into the App Search business?

Want to promote your iPhone app? Get your press release published at prMac free.

55% of iPhone users spend most or all of their time using apps.

App Store sees record breaking sales during holidays.

How AutoWeek made its iPhone app a smashing success.

8 tips to get your iPhone app noticed in the App Store.

10 helpful tips and tools for marketing your iPhone app.

Want to be the first to know about new iPhone app articles and ideas that can help you increase your sales? Subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up to receive emails now.

Stay on top of the latest iPhone news to help with marketing your app. We round-up new articles from this blog and beyond with tips and advice for selling more apps and boosting your app profits.

Read your iPhone app user reviews online and by RSS using AppComments.

Apple redesigns App Store with more images and fewer words.

How the Mixology app increased downloads by 845% using text ads.

6 tips for mobile advertising in 2010.

Marketing idea: Submit your iPhone app for the Best App Ever Award by Dec. 31.

iPhone adoption faster than any new tech in history. Could there be a better place to sell your software?

Stop making this common app marketing mistake & start boosting your sales.

Avoiding iPhone app rejection from Apple – tips every developer must know.

Developer (and 1000+ apps) booted from App Store after trying to buy good reviews.

Learn helpful tips to marketing your iPhone app from a first-time app developer.

Always be the first to know about iPhone app news and ideas that can help you succeed. Subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up to receive emails now.

There’s one question that most iPhone app developers get wrong and, unfortunately, it leads them to spin their wheels rather than making money.

“Who would want to buy your app?” I ask.
“Everybody!” you say.
“So, a small-town mom with two kids and a college student in the city are both going to want to buy your app?” I reply.
“Well, maybe not…” you say.

You’ve worked so hard and spent so much time creating your iPhone app that it’s tempting to think that everyone will want to buy it. No software will appeal to everyone, even the hippest, newest app. And that’s OK.

In fact, it’s better that way. Imagine trying to create your app to please everyone! There just aren’t enough hours in the day.

Instead, you need to focus on the exact type of person who would love to buy your app. Marketers call it your target market and it’s the secret to happy customers and more sales.

Who will buy my app (and who won’t)?

Now that we know not everyone will want to buy our app, the first step is to define the people who will. It’s so hard to think in terms of big groups, so use this easy shortcut: just picture one person in your mind. The exact type of person that is the perfect customer for your app.

What are his interests? What type of websites does she visit? Where does he live? What kind of job does she have?

Sometimes, it’s almost easier to imagine who is not in your target market – who would absolutely never download or use your app even if you paid them. Picture them in your mind and then take the opposite.

Your customer is king

Now that you know the type of person who will love to buy your app, keep them in mind with each decision you make while developing and marketing your app.

For example, say you are going to ask a blog to write about your new app. If you thought  the audience for your app is everyone, you might just submit it to the same sites as everyone else. But, if you knew that your app is the favorite of rich urban preppies, you would try to get write-ups from very different types of blogs than if your audience was cost-conscious senior citizens.

Knowing who your audience is – and isn’t – for your product is the first step to successfully marketing your app. Taking just a minute to picture exactly the type of person who your app will attract already puts you far ahead of your competition. Now, you can focus on creating an app that people will happily pay you good money for.

Want to learn more secrets for marketing your iPhone app? Learn how to boost your profits – even if you’re just getting started today – by signing up for our email newsletter now. It’s stuffed with helpful tips plus you’ll get our new guide “5 Ways to Make Money with iPhone Apps” free.

Stay on top of the latest iPhone news to help with marketing your app. We round-up new articles from this blog and beyond with tips and advice for selling more apps and boosting your app profits.

Open and free ad management platform .app/ads launches public beta. A new way to offer advertising in your app makes it a new way to make money.

Do this today to sell your iPhone app like a pro. Our new article show you the insider secret to convincing App Store shoppers to buy your app.

Want new customers for your app? How iPod Touch users are outpacing iPhone users. When you make an iPhone app, don’t forget your audience is larger than you think. More and more people are using their iPod Touch to buy apps, meaning you have a perfect opportunity to boost your profits.

Is it better to have an app that’s perfect or finished? See what Wired says. Maybe it’s better to just launch your app. Of course, you do not want to launch your software before it is ready, which could frustrate users who find bugs. But you also do not want to keep tweaking your app until it is “perfect” because you miss out on money-making opportunities.

Want more App Store shoppers to buy your app? The 4 secrets for success. How you describe your app in the App Store can make or break the sale. Discover what to write to set yourself apart from the pack.

Always be the first to know about iPhone app news and ideas that can help you succeed. Subscribe to our RSS feed or sign up to receive emails now.

The one thing that can set the iPhone app you made apart from all others is having a large number of rave reviews. Your customers know that you, as the developer, can say whatever you like in the description. But they will trust what other customers just like them say.

Having many 1-star reviews can sink your app, but attracting 5-star votes will give your app instant credibility. With over 100,000 options in the App Store, you need every edge you can.

But reviews are important for more than just that. When someone does a search in the App Store, what is written in the reviews will be taken into account. If you have many well-written comments that call your application a great “card game”, you stand a better chance of being listed in the search results when customers look for that phrase.

How can you get great reviews for your iPhone apps? Here are 3 insider tips to help you attract more 5-star reviews:

1. Create a winning app

Of course, it all starts with a stellar offering. As an iPhone app developer, make sure your creation has a clear benefit to the people who will buy it.

What to do: People download apps because they make their iPhones do something new and make their lives better. They will happily give you a rave review if your app does that.

2. Give people a way to offer feedback

Many poor reviews are because something in the app is not working how it should (or people think it should). Or, people have an idea for a new feature or improvement that would make your app 5-star worthy. You do not want those people to give you low scores but you still want that valuable feedback.

What to do: If you have a website that goes along with your app, make sure you have a way for people to contact you. Or, include your email address right in the description in your App Store.

3. Tell your customers what to expect

Especially when they pay for an app, people will be disappointed if the app does not do exactly what they expect it to. You may have a great app that does one thing well but if people expect it to do something else, too, they could give you a low review.

What to do: When you describe what your application does in the App Store, list everything it does – but do not exaggerate. It is tough, because you want to make your app sound like the one thing that your customers cannot live without. But, if you avoid promising more than you can deliver, you will see happier customers and more 5-star reviews.

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