Android is a vast platform, and it provides a lot of flexibility when it comes to app distribution options. App distribution is the primary task after app development. Every process of app development revolves around it because it is the sole process through which users can get what you have made for them.
If your app is distributed in the right way to the right audience, there is nothing that can stop you from being successful. Android app distribution is termed as APK distribution as well because Android apps have these files as the primary sources of installation. There are different platforms through which we can distribute our Android app.
Choosing the best way is tricky because there are many things to take into consideration before actually finalizing a decision. Luckily, we have brought you a complete guide through which you can distribute Android apps easily and effectively. Let’s have more insights!
How Important is the APK Distribution?
Apps are developed to fulfill some goals while providing solutions to the user’s problems. From design to development, every app is made to be as useful for the users as possible. But what if the app is not delivered to the audience? All of the app development efforts are directed towards its distribution.
The concerns of the audiences can also be taken under consideration after the app is launched on an app store. All the improvements in the app can also be made if the app is being distributed in the right way, and the users are giving feedback. App marketing strategies can also be applied once the app has been distributed correctly.
With the growing usage of the internet, misinformation has also become common. The ratio of spams is growing very rapidly, and users are avoiding every platform that they may feel uncomfortable for them. In this uncertain environment, gaining user trust is the most vital thing.
There are different platforms on which you can distribute Android app, but finding the most appropriate one is challenging. Since there are different types of the audience as well as different types of apps, every app cannot be placed on a single platform. In certain times, we have to think about reaching out to the audience in different ways.
Effective APK distribution can lead your app business towards success because you will not only gain audience engagement but higher downloads and a lot of opportunities to earn money. Some of the benefits of proper APK distribution are as follows.
- Increases user base
- Higher app business growth
- Business branding
- More opportunity to earn money
- User engagement gets a boost
There are a lot of platforms where your Android app installation cannot survive properly, and you should have to research before selecting those platforms. But don’t worry, we have already researched a lot on this topic. Let’s see which ways are best to distribute Android app effectively.
Ways to Distribute Android App Effectively
It is important to note that Android is an open platform; hence it provides a lot of distribution choices. You can distribute Android apps to the audience in any of your preferred approach or a combination of approaches. It is also essential to consider how you can manage your app on the selected platform.
We suggest you choose a platform where it is easy for you to update your app or provide valuable information to users. Although the process of app development and packaging is the same, the only difference is the platform where you deploy your app.
AppsGeyser has done extensive research for you and found these 3 ways to distribute the Android app effectively.
1. APK Distribution through App Marketplaces
App stores are the best ways to download apps. Users prefer popular app stores like Google Play Store to download different apps to solve their problems. Since these marketplaces have the broadest possible audience, there is a great potential of distributing your apps.
These marketplaces do not only allow app distribution but also aids the app up-gradation processes. You can confidently rely on these platforms as users will also get updated each time you upload a new version of your app.
When we talk about APK distribution, our primary goal is to reach the maximum audience as we can. Research shows that app marketplaces like Play Store have the widest traffic than other ways to distribute Android apps. Some app marketplaces have some fee to upload your apps on them.
Android app development processes are not new; therefore, there are numerous app marketplaces on the internet. Some of them could also be scams, and if you are new to the app development business, there are chances that you might get stuck into those. You can also distribute your Android apps to more than one app marketplaces.
To cop up with this issue, we have formed a list of some popular app marketplaces. Let’s see which app marketplaces are considered reliable in the app development world below.
- Google Play Store: One of the top Android app marketplaces is Google Play Store. You can distribute your apps to a vast global audience through it. It allows you to have the in-app billing service as well as the licensing service. App up-gradation procedures are also quite smooth, and easy thanks to its Play Console set up. However, there is a one-time fee of $25 while creating your developer account and uploading your first APK file.
- Amazon Appstore: Amazon has also come into the competition of app stores with a significant impact. It is basically free, but the app costs can vary. There is a huge gallery of apps on the Amazon Appstore as well.
- APKMirror: Though it is not a complete app store, it turns out to be one of the best app repositories of Android apps. There is also a huge volume of apps. Users can find your app from here easily in the APK format. However, there are limited options to upgrade or manage your app.
Now you would be well-aware of which Android app marketplaces are the best, but this is just a tiny list. There are a lot of other admired marketplaces on the internet.
2. Distribute Android App through Website
You can distribute Android app through a website as well. You can make your apps available on your website or server for download. It could preferably be your app business website or a specified website for the app. For example, the website can be developed with the same name and theme, just like the app.
APK distribution through a website is a good approach, but it is recommended not to use only a single approach. Some users find themselves more confident while downloading an app from an app marketplace. They are doubtful about the authenticity of apps downloaded from a website.
Simply put a link in your website which triggers the APK download process. You cannot actually observe how many active downloads or users your app has through this approach. Still, somehow it also proves to be a good one with a combination of other app distribution approaches.
Try to make a catchy user-interface of the website, which eventually grabs the audience to download your app. It is also a good approach to make them time-bound and provide them some special offer. However, when the users will download the APK of your app and install it, a prompt may show them that the source where it is downloaded is not an authentic one.
3. Distributing your app by Email
Sending APK files to users through Email is the third app distribution option. Users will get the downloadable APK file as an attachment in the Email. When preparing yourself to choose this approach, please make sure that your APK is a working release version of your app.
If the users open up your Email through an Android device, it will notify the users that it is an installable file, and they can do it straight away. However, this approach can only be successful if you have a number of trusted users. It is less feasible when it comes to piracy and unauthorized app distribution.
There are quite a few chances that you have a complete list of trusted users on your table. There are always chances that the email host might put the app in the spam folder, and your users can never get the app. Therefore, it is not suggested to use this app distribution approach alone; otherwise, there will be uncertainty, and you might not get the desired results.
Summary
In general, when we compare all of these ways, APK distribution through an app marketplace seems to be one of the best approaches. However, we suggest distributing the Android app in as many ways as you can because our only goal is to provide our app as smoothly as possible. Working on all of these approaches proves to be much effective at times.
So, how was your app distribution process? AppsGeyser is always here to provide you help in your app business in every possible way. Follow our Facebook page to get instant updates and contact us if you need any help!