Once your app is live, the first question that comes to mind is how to get users to install it. Getting your first 1,000 app installs is crucial because it sets the momentum. Reaching this milestone also gives your app credibility, encouraging more users who discover it to install it.
It can be very expensive to gain installs through Google Ads or other platforms, especially when you are starting with zero revenue. So, we will focus only on free and organic ways to get installs for your app. Once you start generating revenue, you can invest in paid strategies to acquire users.
In this article, we will explore various methods to grow your app. As I often emphasize in my blog posts, execution is the key. Make sure you not only learn these strategies but also implement them effectively.
ASO
App Store Optimization should be your first priority. No matter how good your app is, if your app store listing is not properly optimized, it will not get installs. This is because your app will not appear when people search for similar apps.
Research what your potential users are searching for and include impactful keywords in your app title and description. Initially, focus on keywords that have mid to high search volume but low competition.
Create eye-catching previews and screenshots, as they can significantly increase conversions.
SEO
If you do not have a landing page for your app, you are missing out on free traffic from search engines like Google or Bing.
Create your app landing page as soon as possible and optimize it for SEO. Just like ASO, ensure it is tailored so users searching for apps like yours can easily find you.
Content Marketing
Content marketing can be highly rewarding if done correctly. With many options available, it is important to focus on just one or two methods. Choose the right marketing strategies and start working on them.
If your audience prefers reading blogs, begin with blogging as it can benefit both ASO and SEO. Additionally, select another platform where your potential audience is active and engaged.
Collaborate with Micro-Influencers
Paying a large or small influencer to promote your app can be expensive, especially when you are starting out. Since we are focusing on organic and free options, we can leverage micro-influencers.
Identify micro-influencers within your niche and reach out to them with a proposal to promote your app. However, there is a catch: in return, offer them something valuable, such as early access to new features, a free paid version for a few months, or exclusive goodies. This creates a win-win situation for both parties.
Community Building
Build a genuine community or join communities relevant to your app. Engage with users, answer their questions, and listen to their feedback. Identify the issues people are facing and provide solutions.
Referral Program
Implement a referral program from the start. Incentivize users to promote your app, and this can work wonders for your business.
In referral programs, offer users something valuable (other than money) to encourage them, like Dropbox does with extra storage.
Send Emails
If you have been working for 2-3 years, you likely have over 500 email addresses by now. Put those email addresses to good use and send them emails. Chances are, you’ll get a good number of installs from that.
Sending emails to everyone at once may be ineffective, as they could be marked as spam by filters. Manually sending emails would also take up a lot of time. Instead, you can use online tools like Atomic to send automated emails.
Ask Your Friends and Family
Ask your friends and family to install your app and encourage them to share it with their network. Recommendations from know people tend to have a higher conversion rate, which can lead to a significant number of installs.
Ask for Reviews
Encourage your early app users to leave reviews. You can also offer incentives like in-app rewards, discounts, or coins for leaving a review.
Having good reviews provides social proof, which can boost your install rate. You can also showcase these reviews on your website to improve conversions.
Final Thoughts
Getting your first 1,000 app installs is a crucial step in building momentum. By focusing on free and organic methods like ASO, SEO, content marketing, and leveraging micro-influencers, you can start seeing results without breaking the bank.
Remember, consistency and execution are key. Apply these strategies, track your progress, and adjust as needed to keep growing your app and reaching more users.