When it comes to mobile app development, there are numerous expenses to consider, and many of those expenses are not even related to app development. No one will know your app exists unless you invest in your marketing approach.
This article tells you everything you need to know about mobile app marketing costs. Whether you’re an app developer, white label reseller, launching an app as a business extension, or designing a brand new app from scratch, we’re here for you.
How much does it cost to market an app?
This is the question our sales team gets asked the most and is the most difficult to answer. There are so many variables in app marketing that it’s impossible to give a one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of marketing your app depends largely on your budget, but also on factors like the type of app you have, your target audience, and the marketing strategies you use.
With that in mind, we can give you a general idea of how much it costs to market an app. A typical small to medium business can expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per month on app marketing. Of course, that’s just a rough estimate; Your actual monthly expenses may be more or less depending on the factors above.
One thing is certain, though: more money doesn’t necessarily mean better results. You can actually get away with an inexpensive mobile app marketing strategy, provided your techniques are effective.
Ultimately, you need to focus on your cost per install (CPI). Use this key app marketing metric to calculate how much each install will cost you. This is how it works:
CPI = Total Ad Spend/Measured Total App Installs
Tracking this KPI allows you to be smart with your marketing budget and determine if certain campaigns are effective.
Why is a marketing budget important?
You need a marketing budget for your app for many reasons. First, without a budget, you have no way of calculating your CPI (as discussed above). Second, a marketing budget allows you to track your spend and ROI over time. By monitoring these metrics, you can make changes to your marketing strategy when needed and ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Having a marketing budget is also important because it shows that you are serious about promoting your app. Potential investors are more likely to take you seriously when they see that you have allocated funds for marketing. If you have a solid marketing budget, you’re also more likely to be included in lists or roundups of new apps, such as the New and Noteworthy section of the App Store.
It is crucial to factor your marketing budget into your overall app development budget. You shouldn’t think of marketing as a side issue or an expense that needs to be cut when the going gets tough. Marketing should be built into your budget from the start.
Ways to market your mobile app
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of a marketing budget, it’s time to learn how to create one. The first step is to understand what expenses you need to consider. Here are some common mobile app marketing costs:
App Store Optimization (ASO): ASO is the process of optimizing your app store listing to improve your app’s visibility and ranking. This can be accomplished through keyword research, title optimization, and creating engaging app store screenshots and videos. ASO is a long-term marketing strategy, so it’s important to factor it into your budget from the start.
Read our blog about ASO
Paid user acquisition: Paid user acquisition is a form of advertising that allows you to pay to have your app installed on users’ devices. This can be done through various channels, such as social media, search engines or directly through app stores. Paid user acquisition is one of the fastest ways to introduce your app to potential users, but it can also be one of the most expensive.
Public Relations: Public relations (PR) is a great way to generate excitement about your app. However, it can also be costly, especially if you hire a PR firm to handle your media work. You can also do PR yourself, but it can be time-consuming and may not be as effective as working with a professional.
Content Marketing: Content marketing is a great way to drive organic traffic to your app’s landing page. This includes creating blog posts, infographics, videos, or any other type of content that will interest potential users and encourage them to try your app. Although content marketing takes time and effort, it is relatively inexpensive compared to other marketing strategies.
Discover 10 ways to grow your app with content marketing
Viral Marketing: The concept of “going viral” can be an inexpensive way to draw attention to your app, but it can be very difficult to predict and control. If you want to try viral marketing, make sure you have a solid plan and allocate a good chunk of your budget to it.
Social Media Marketing: Social media is a powerful tool for mobile app marketing and allows you to target specific audiences. However, it can be time-consuming and requires a really solid social media strategy. If you decide to use paid social media advertising, it can also get costly.
Email Marketing: Email marketing can be a great way to reach potential users who may not be active on social media. It can also be relatively inexpensive, especially if you have a large email list.
In-App Ads: In-App Ads allow you to advertise your product in other apps and games. This can be a great way to reach potential users who are already using apps that target your core audience. In-app advertising is typically cheaper than other forms of paid user acquisition, but it can still add up.
As you can see, there are many different types of costs in mobile app marketing, and this is just a small selection. When creating your budget, be sure to consider all potential expenses.
Create a marketing budget for your mobile app
Now that you know what expenses to account for, you can start creating your mobile app marketing budget. First, estimate how much you want to spend on each of the above strategies. Then, consider your overall app development budget and make sure your marketing budget is a reasonable percentage of that.
We recommend allocating 50% of development costs to marketing your first launch. So if you spend $100,000 on development, budget $50,000 on marketing in the first 12 months. This could make a big difference in your chance of success. Too many entrepreneurs spend tens of thousands of dollars on their app but don’t plan for marketing, which is a major barrier to moving faster.
Once you have a rough idea of how much you want to spend, it’s time to allocate funds to specific campaigns and activities. First, create a list of all the tasks that need to be completed to implement each marketing strategy. For example, if you plan to do ASO, your list might include keyword research, title optimization, and app store asset creation. Make sure you include both one-time costs (e.g. design fees) and ongoing costs (e.g. monthly subscription fees).
Next, start assigning budget items to each task. Again, remember to include both fixed costs (e.g. design fees) and variable costs (e.g. pay-per-click advertising). This will give you a clear picture of how much each marketing activity will cost and help you stay on budget.
Put everything together
Now that you know how to create a mobile app marketing budget, it’s time to put your plan into action. Start allocating funds for key marketing activities and campaigns. Then track your progress and adjust your budget accordingly. Finally, don’t forget to regularly reevaluate your budget to ensure your marketing efforts remain aligned with your overall business goals.
If you need help creating a mobile app marketing budget or implementing your marketing plan, contact us today . Our team of experts can help you create a customized marketing strategy that suits your needs and budget.
The post “Create a Budget-Friendly Mobile Marketing Plan That Delivers Results” appeared first on Appomate.
