Tag: reskinning apps

How to Make an App Reskin Look Original

Younes

How can a mere app reskin look and feel original? Is originality even on an app reskinner’s mind? It should be! As convenient it is to ride on a viral trend, it is not a sure-fire way to earn the top spot or even drive downloads and revenue. Aside from that, an app reskin that lack originality would cause a lot of criticism not only from other developers but also from users.

 

So how can things become a win-win situation between the app reskinners and app users? Here are ways to make even the most cloned app reskin into a unique creation:

  1. Only use the framework of the app: its general concept and gameplay. Sometimes, even when an app reskin is visually different from the original app, the use of similar UI elements (especially if the placement and design layout are the same) and UX design would immediately give away the fact that the app is not original.
  2. Resist the lure of imitation. There are proven and trusted design strategies; then there are original design strategies. It’s tempting to just follow a popular app design template especially if the design is considered as the de facto standard of the market. You don’t need to think of something new, just think of solutions in order to improve the existing design. Even trends don’t require every new app to be uniform.
  3. Create your own trademark and own it. Even with clones sprouting the very moment an app becomes successful, it’s worth noting that the original still stands out. It’s mostly because app studios promote apps as if they are brands. There’s either a catchy tagline or an unforgettable character and the studios build from there. They aim for memorability, a characteristic that makes the app sell itself even without aggressive marketing.
  4. Repetition can do funny things to users’ minds. Just imagine downloading an app you’ve never heard of before. It looks interesting but as you open it, there’s this nagging feeling at the back of your mind that you’ve seen this app before. It could be just déjà vu, but the font is really familiar. This usually happens with app clones and apps that emulate popular apps. Do not copy design elements from other apps if said elements do not represent the brand you want to create. Create custom color palettes and avoid using typography (especially the customized ones) prominently used by other apps.
  5. Small details matter. Sometimes injecting character or just a certain vibe about an app changes the way people perceive it. Set goals to engage users to a personal level. The main character could be a typical cute cat that is not really a standout but is animated to make different facial expressions. Interactions like this can create a unique user experience.
  6. Good quality performance is a must. “That’s an app reskin. I’m sure it’s crappy” said a good friend but he downloaded the app anyway. The app reskin was still loading after thirty seconds…then it crashed – and that’s just the beginning. As users demand more from free apps, app reskins should aim to deliver the best quality. An app reskin after all, needs to hook the audience before the time is up.

The Evolution of App Reskins: From Spam to App Store Asset

Younes 1 Comment

January last year, some tech news outlets ran an article about a man who spammed the App Store for fun – and made $50 grow to $6,000 after just a few months! He became somewhat a phenomenon, a symbol of everything that is going wrong with the app industry (well, maybe not all). The said man, Gabriel Machuret is an expert in ASO (App Store Optimization). He exploited his knowledge of the App Store’s search algorithm in order to shell in cash from his mass-produced reskins. His principle was simple, if you produce low-quality apps and launch it at the fastest time possible, you’d make easy money just like that. Read More

Reskinning Apps Do's and Don'ts

Reskinning Apps Do’s and Don’ts – Part 2

Younes

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.

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Reskinning Apps Do's and Don'ts

Reskinning Apps Do’s and Don’ts – Part 1

Younes

Buying Source Code

Do’s  :                   

  • It is best to buy source code from app flipping companies that reskin their own apps. This is to ensure that you will have a high level of support in case there is a problem with the source code.
  • Make sure that the source code supports the latest platform version. Also make sure what specific platform the source code is made for and in what devices they could work. Generally, source codes will only work for one platform and specific devices.
  • Look for a source code with cloned mechanics that you can reuse. A match-3 game format is proven to attract many downloads. You can select a source code that uses the same mechanics or rules as any of existing match-3 game apps.
  • Consider the features that come with the app. There should be something more (options for social network sharing, etc.) than the original app.
  • Buy a multiple-license app template. This will enable you to reskin the app as many times as you deem necessary using different themes that target different demographics.
  • Check for the documentation that comes with the source code. Well-structured source codes should have good documentation. The documentation is where you can find information on the procedure that the original programmer use and you can use in reskinning and then publishing the app. This usually includes instructions for inserting your account information to divert ad revenue to your account.
  • Check for the organization of files and settings. The graphic files should be arranged in a way that is easy to access with proper labels so that you know what is used in specific parts of the app. The file types for the graphics should also be the same within each source code.
  • Buy graphics together with the code. There are several source code marketplaces that also offer the services of predefined graphics that you can use for multiple reskins of the app. This can be good deal and you can also save a lot of time.

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App reskinning

An Introduction to App Reskinning

Younes 1 Comment

What is App Reskinning?

To reskin means to replace, repair or rework the exterior, coating or general appearance of something mostly to make it appear different; like a new coat of paint on an old wall or a new a body for an old car model. It’s the same with app reskinning. You get a source code for an app and tweak its graphics, sound, and music (considered as “app assets”) to give the app a new feel. It takes away the hassle of building an app from scratch – a process that needs a certain level of expertise in programming and game design.

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