Menu
Mobile apps have become an integral part of our daily lives. From ordering food to booking a cab, there is an app for almost every need. In fact, according to Statista, over 4 million apps are available for download across IOS and Android app stores.
With such vast apps competing for user acquisition, developers and marketers constantly seek ways to increase app installs and engagement. You can have the most innovative and practical app, but it won’t matter if people don’t download and use it.
To help you maximize your mobile app installs, we have put together some tips and strategies to help you stand out in the crowded app market.
First, let’s understand what mobile app installs are and why they matter.
Mobile app installs refer to the number of times an app is downloaded and installed on a user’s device. A mobile app install is recorded when the user completes the installation process and opens the app for the first time.
For example, if a user downloads and installs your app on their device, that would be one mobile app install. To put it simply, installing a mobile app is the first step towards user acquisition and engagement.
The success of a mobile app heavily relies on the number of installs it receives.
App installs serve as an indication of user interest and intent to use your app. The more installs you have, the higher your chances of gaining traction in the app market. Moreover, your app will likely rank higher in app store search results with increased installs.
Whether your app is a product or a service, increased installs also mean increased opportunities for revenue generation. With more users on your app, you can attract potential advertisers and sponsors. Additionally, having a large user base also opens up opportunities for monetization and growth.
Here are some key factors that contribute to a successful app installation.
App stores are digital platforms where users search for and download mobile apps. These stores are the primary source for app discovery and user installation. Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store are the two most popular app stores.
To increase your chances of being discovered, you must optimize your app for these stores through App Store Optimization (ASO). ASO involves optimizing titles, descriptions, screenshots, keywords, etc., to make your app more visible and attractive to potential users.
Moreover, positive ratings and reviews influence users’ decision to download your app. Encourage satisfied users to leave reviews on the app store, as it impacts your app’s credibility and visibility in search results.
Another way to increase installs is by being featured on the app store. App stores regularly feature apps that have high-quality content, design, and user engagement. App developers can also pay for promotional spots on the store to increase visibility.
A visually appealing and user-friendly app can significantly influence a user’s decision to download your app. Some key factors that contribute to a well-designed app include:
App stores offer various features that can help you attract more installs. Here are some key features to consider:
Utilizing in-app referrals can be an effective way to reach a larger audience and increase app installs. Here are some tips for designing an effective referral program:
While organic methods like app store optimization and in-app referrals are effective, paid advertising also increases app installs. Here’s what you need to know:
Different ad formats work better for other apps and audiences. Here are some popular types of mobile ads:
As the name suggests, banner ads are small visual ads that appear on the top or bottom of the app screen. They are less intrusive but have lower click-through rates than other ad formats.
Interstitial ads are full-screen ads that appear between app content. They have higher click-through rates but can interrupt the user experience if not used strategically. For example, they can be placed when the user transitions between app screens or at natural pauses in the app flow.
Native ads blend with the app’s content and appear more natural than other ad formats. They have higher click-through rates and can be tailored to match the app’s design, making them less intrusive. However, they require more effort to create and integrate into the app.
Video ads are short clips that usually play before or within app content. They have a high engagement rate but can be costly to produce. They work best for apps with visually appealing content or those targeting a younger audience.
The success of your mobile ad campaigns heavily depends on the advertising platform you choose. Here are some popular options and their pros and cons:
Google Ads allows you to run app install campaigns across different Google platforms like Search, Display, and YouTube. The platform uses machine learning to optimize your ads for maximum conversions. However, the CPI (cost per install) can be high, and competition for ad space is intense.
For more budget-friendly options, Google also offers Universal App Campaigns Google offers Universal App Campaigns for more budget-friendly options, automatically promoting your app across different channels based on your budget and goals.
Facebook Ads allow you to target specific demographics and interests for your app install campaigns. It also has a large audience base and offers features like lookalike audiences, where you can target people similar to your existing users. However, the CPI can be high, and ad fatigue is common.
These platforms’ insights and data can help you better understand your target audience and optimize your ad campaigns for maximum conversions. Social media platforms like Twitter and Snapchat offer app install advertising options for smaller budgets.
Aside from Google and Facebook, other options for mobile app installs include ad networks like AdMob, Unity Ads, and InMobi. These platforms connect advertisers with publishers with ad space in their apps. Programmatic advertising platforms like VenziMedia, Mopub and AppLovin offer a more automated approach to buying ad space.
VenziMedia, for example, uses machine learning to optimize ads and offers real-time bidding options for more efficient ad buying. MoPub also provides a mediation platform that allows you to manage multiple ad networks in one place.
Here are some tips for running an effective mobile ad campaign:
Once you’ve chosen the proper ad format and platform, here are some tips for setting up a successful mobile ad campaign:
With the right strategy and execution, paid advertising can be a valuable tool for increasing app installs.
Track and measure the success of your mobile app installs using these essential metrics:
This metric shows the percentage of users who installed your app after seeing an ad or discovering it through organic methods. A high install rate indicates a successful ad campaign and user interest in your app.
To calculate the install rate, divide the number of installs by the total number of ad impressions or app store visitors. For example, if your ad received 1000 impressions and resulted in 200 installs, your install rate would be 20%.
CPI is the amount you spend on advertising to acquire each new user. It is calculated by dividing the total cost of your ad campaign by the number of installs. The lower your CPI, the better you spend less to acquire new users. However, a higher CPI may be justified if it leads to high-quality users.
Engagement metrics like session duration, frequency, and retention rate indicate how often and for how long users use your app. A high level of engagement means users find the app valuable and are likely to continue using it. On the other hand, low engagement may indicate issues with your app’s usability or value proposition.
If your app relies on in-app purchases or subscriptions, you should track engagement metrics related to these actions, such as conversion rate and average revenue per user. The goal is to increase these metrics over time, indicating that users are willing to spend money on your app.
If your app is an online marketplace or finance app, tracking first-time deposits can give you an idea of how many users are willing to pay for premium content. This metric also helps determine the return on investment (ROI) for your ad campaign.
CPA measures the cost of acquiring a new user who completes a specific action, such as purchasing or subscribing to a service. It can help you determine the effectiveness of your ad campaign in driving conversions and generating revenue.
ARPU is the average amount of revenue generated by each user. This metric can help you understand the value of your users and guide decisions on pricing, monetization strategies, and ad spend.
LTV is the projected revenue a user will generate throughout their relationship with your app. It considers factors like retention rate, average revenue per user, and churn rate to estimate a user’s long-term value. Tracking LTV can help you optimize your ad campaigns to target and retain high-value users.
You can use analytics tools designed for mobile apps to track and analyze these metrics.
Google Analytics for Mobile and Flurry are popular options that offer features like real-time data tracking, user behavior analysis, and conversion tracking. These tools can help you understand your app’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and optimize your ad campaigns for better ROI.
Other options include Firebase, Mixpanel, and Localytics. Choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. With these tools, you can continuously monitor and improve your app’s performance to drive more installs and increase user engagement.
App install advertising is competitive, and partnering with an experienced and reliable company can give you an edge. Working with a partner can help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently if you have limited resources.
VenziMedia is a leading mobile User Acquisition company specializing in app install advertising. With years of experience in the industry, VenziMedia has helped numerous clients achieve their app’s goals and drive user engagement.
With VenziMedia as your partner, you can focus on developing your app while we handle the complex and ever-changing world of mobile advertising.
