What Are My Mobile App Distribution Options?

HalfSwede · 3rd Nov 2012, 07:47 PM

Just started learning about mobile apps. Are Apple App Store and Google Play the only distribution options for mobile apps? If I have an app (see other post) that doesn't meet either Apple or Google guidelines is there some other way to distribute the app?

Cheers,
HalfSwede

AUKev · 3rd Nov 2012, 08:53 PM

There are several options for Android apps but keep in mind that the Google Play store has more downloads than all the other sources combined. One of the bigger ones for Android though is the Amazon app store. You will be required to upload additional images (sized for the Kindle devices). You can search Google for some of the other Android app directories.

With Android apps, you can also put them on your website and have users download them directly. Of course you will need to drive people to your web page for them to know they are available. The only caveat to this option is many Android devices have a security setting to only accept downloads from app stores. You would have to instruct your users on how to change the setting: Settings -> Security -> Check 'Unknown Sources - Allow installation of non-Market apps. You may have to develop some credibility with some users before they might consider doing this step.

With Apple, I am not aware of any other options for getting an app to an ios device. Really the only option is to create a mobile site and have users bookmark the site on their phone. It creates an icon on their phone to your site, but you lose any phone native functionality including using push technology.

Njenyus · 19th Nov 2012, 07:38 PM

You need to make sure you are in line with the guidelines FIRST! If you are not in line with Google, you shouldn't be putting that app on the store. They are more lenient than Apple.

Unless you are building your app in HTML5/JavaScript and then using a cloud service, you are going to be using (for the most part), native languages. Most times, they are not interchangeable.

Planning will save you a host of heartache.

marketman007 · 26th Nov 2012, 05:19 PM

There's plenty of options beside Google Play and iTunes.For non-Apple format, Microsoft has the Window's Phone Marketplaces, Android Market, Ovi Store by Nokia and many more. You can also provide a web-based widget to either your Facebook page or mobile website which should lead the visitor to the right version of the app.Others also distribute their apps by offering free downloads for the apps for a certain period of time; with this you offer free downloads of your apps to your site visitors and get your ROI through on-site advertisement.

3rd Nov 2012, 07:47 PM	#1
HalfSwede Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What Are My Mobile App Distribution Options? Share on: Just started learning about mobile apps. Are Apple App Store and Google Play the only distribution options for mobile apps? If I have an app (see other post) that doesn't meet either Apple or Google guidelines is there some other way to distribute the app? Cheers, HalfSwede

3rd Nov 2012, 08:53 PM	#2
AUKev Kevin L Moore War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Hoover, AL Posts: 366 Thanks: 42 Thanked 179 Times in 109 Posts	Re: What Are My Mobile App Distribution Options? Share on: There are several options for Android apps but keep in mind that the Google Play store has more downloads than all the other sources combined. One of the bigger ones for Android though is the Amazon app store. You will be required to upload additional images (sized for the Kindle devices). You can search Google for some of the other Android app directories. With Android apps, you can also put them on your website and have users download them directly. Of course you will need to drive people to your web page for them to know they are available. The only caveat to this option is many Android devices have a security setting to only accept downloads from app stores. You would have to instruct your users on how to change the setting: Settings -> Security -> Check 'Unknown Sources - Allow installation of non-Market apps. You may have to develop some credibility with some users before they might consider doing this step. With Apple, I am not aware of any other options for getting an app to an ios device. Really the only option is to create a mobile site and have users bookmark the site on their phone. It creates an icon on their phone to your site, but you lose any phone native functionality including using push technology.
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19th Nov 2012, 07:38 PM	#3
Njenyus Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Posts: 54 Thanks: 6 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	Re: What Are My Mobile App Distribution Options? Share on: You need to make sure you are in line with the guidelines FIRST! If you are not in line with Google, you shouldn't be putting that app on the store. They are more lenient than Apple. Unless you are building your app in HTML5/JavaScript and then using a cloud service, you are going to be using (for the most part), native languages. Most times, they are not interchangeable. Planning will save you a host of heartache.

26th Nov 2012, 05:19 PM	#4
marketman007 Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 54 Thanks: 2 Thanked 20 Times in 6 Posts	Re: What Are My Mobile App Distribution Options? Share on: There's plenty of options beside Google Play and iTunes.For non-Apple format, Microsoft has the Window's Phone Marketplaces, Android Market, Ovi Store by Nokia and many more. You can also provide a web-based widget to either your Facebook page or mobile website which should lead the visitor to the right version of the app.Others also distribute their apps by offering free downloads for the apps for a certain period of time; with this you offer free downloads of your apps to your site visitors and get your ROI through on-site advertisement.
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