I talked in the first part of this article about the do’s and don’t to consider when buying sources codes and when you outsource your app developpment. Now, let’s discover the do’s and don’t for a good quality app and the monetization part as well.
App Quality
Do’s :
- Check the demo apps that some app flipping companies provide to have a gauge on the reskin’s quality. Graphics makes the highest impact on app quality so you should consider it first, together with sound and music.
- Provide images in different sizes. The image quality may suffer if the apps are used in retina mode if you only stick to one size. This applies not only to in-game graphics but also to screenshots and icons.
- Have a balance between user experience and monetization.
- Aim for quality at the very beginning. This begins with the purchase of a quality source code to the total package of the app. One of the main complaints about reskinned apps is the shoddy quality. Publishing a shoddy app won’t only hurt your chances of downloads but also your account credibility. Some may brand you as a producer of low-quality apps and won’t bother look at your other apps.
Don’ts :
- Don’t be slowed down by mistakes in the reskin’s features. Before you buy the source code, check for anything that can give you trouble later on even with the smallest things – misspellings in the instructions, labels can actually set you back.
- Don’t make your app appear as an obvious rip-off. Slightly changing things, but not making the effort of improving the graphics and overall package of the app will make the quality suffer.
- Don’t fall into the scheme of launching bulk hurriedly-made, cheap and low quality apps just to increase profits.
Mobile App Monetization
Do’s :
- Research your market. Find out what types of applications/niches are the most profitable and if you can compete in that market. Also research what downloaders are looking for in apps by reading reviews and finding patterns used by successful apps especially those that are also reskins.
- Utilize App Store Optimization to help promote your app. This is like SEO for apps. Use keywords on your app’s title and rich description. Also use screenshots and icons to attract the attention of your desired audience.
- Use at least three advertising networks. Be wary of pop-ups and high ad density that can affect the game experience.
- “Freemium” game apps offer In-app purchases (IAP) that will encourage the players to spend more that what the game could’ve cost. You can earn good revenue by placing in-demand IAP options like gold to unlock levels and buy life. You can also add an option to remove ads or allow players to share IAPs with their friends through social media.
- Update your app. This is an excellent way to kickstart downloads especially with apps that have not made any sufficient ROI.
Don’ts :
- If you are serious about marketing your app, don’t just go and think that because it is of good quality that it will sell. Just like with a physical product, a market research is necessary to see the potential of the product.
- Aggressive use of ads will reap you a lot of revenue – only at first. Ads constantly popping out during game play annoy players more than perhaps a bad game. The interest to the app would disappear. Also avoid aggressive ad schemes, which include placing full screen ads at the beginning of the game, game over screen and when they try to exit the game.
- Don’t rely only on ads. In-app purchases can provide more revenue especially that real currency is exchanged. Don’t be afraid to price your in-app purchases high (but not too high that no one can afford it), especially those that are necessary for level advancement.
- Don’t expect immediate ROI. The first app reskin you launch may not become profitable or may take longer to provide returns. Most reskins rely only on the bump brought on by the launch. After that, the only way to get downloads will be through ASO.
- The revenue that app flipping companies advertise they earned with a reskin and in turn you can earn isn’t often realistic. You cannot generalize the performance of a reskin without taking into consideration factors like market trends and the relevancy of the reskin.
