Top 7 Widely-Used Mobile App Distribution Channels Along with Key Statistics:
Millions of mobile applications are accessible across diverse platforms and channels, catering to various categories such as shopping, entertainment, and gaming. The competition among these platform providers has intensified significantly over the past few years, primarily due to the surge in mobile users worldwide.
With each yearly upgrade of mobile operating systems, users also show a keen interest in acquiring the latest smartphones and OS versions. Consequently, app developers aim to distribute their unique applications on these platforms. Online mobile app stores have been developed to offer users a gateway to explore and download applications, games, music, movies, and more. Currently, Google Play Store and the Apple App Store are the two most prominent online app distribution platforms.
Mobile app distribution is an essential method for delivering apps to a vast number of users to boost engagement and usage. Marketing businesses and promoters frequently search for lists of application platforms and channels as a means to advertise, either through free or paid models.
Let's first understand what mobile app distribution platforms are and learn how they function.
What are Mobile App Distribution Platforms?
A mobile app distribution platform serves as a repository for a multitude of mobile applications in various categories, such as entertainment, shopping, games, and more. This platform enables mobile users to search for their preferred apps and download them conveniently whenever required. Every mobile app development company targets these platforms upon app launching.
These platforms also provide various tools to companies or developers to track the progress of their apps. They can monitor essential metrics such as the number of downloads, searches, and more to optimize their mobile app store strategies and enhance search and download rates.
Leveraging these reports, businesses can implement mobile app store optimization strategies to optimize their apps' search and download performance. Utilizing different application distribution platforms helps companies reach more users globally.
Leading mobile technology companies have their mobile app distribution platforms. Here's an overview of some top-performing platforms:
Top Mobile App Distribution Platforms
- Amazon Appstore Undoubtedly, one of the most popular mobile app distribution platforms where you can find your favorite applications and games. Amazon Appstore features application recommendations based on your past Amazon purchases and offers special savings using Amazon Coins. The platform also offers a "Free App of the Day" initiative.
- Samsung Galaxy Apps Samsung Galaxy Apps, previously known as Samsung Apps, is another rapidly growing mobile app distribution platform, created and managed by Samsung. It offers advanced applications for smartphones and TVs and facilitates seamless data transfer from old devices with minimum hassle.
- Google Play Store Google Play Store, formerly known as the Android Market, is the official mobile app distribution platform for Android devices. It allows users to browse and download applications, music, films, e-books, and more, created with Android app development tools from Google and third-party developers.
To maximize the potential of mobile app distribution platforms, developers and businesses should adopt a robust mobile app distribution strategy. Here are some key factors to consider:
Building an App Distribution Strategy
- Targeting multiple channels & platforms Expand your target audience by distributing your application across multiple channels and platforms, rather than focusing on a limited number. This strategy not only increases the likelihood of installs but also broadens your user base.
- Avoid non-performing platforms Constantly evaluate your mobile app distribution channels and drop those not bringing the desired results. Paying for a channel that doesn't generate ROI is unnecessary.
- Consistent channel optimization Continuously optimize your app's presence on distribution channels by implementing mobile app store optimization strategies. This includes tactics like enhancing screen captures, search keywords, app descriptions, and user engagement efforts.
- Determine niche app distribution channels Identify distribution channels uniquely catering to specific niches for your app to reach a highly targeted audience and encourage long-term user loyalty.
By tailoring your mobile app distribution strategy according to these factors, you can achieve significant results in boosting app visibility, driving downloads, and ultimately increasing revenue.
Apart from mobile app distribution platforms, businesses can leverage other channels to boost their apps' visibility. Here's a list of top mobile app distribution channels for businesses:
Top Mobile App Distribution Channels for Businesses
- App Stores/Recommendation Sites App stores are undoubtedly the most common distribution channels. They include popular platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, as well as alternative stores such as SlideME and Uptodown. Additionally, recommendation sites can also prove to be effective in driving downloads.
- Pre-Loads Pre-loading apps on devices can result in higher engagement levels, although the initial cost may be high.
- Ad Networks Ad networks such as AdMob, Facebook/Instagram Ads, and Moburst can be used to run targeted ad campaigns, improving user acquisition and app store optimization (ASO) initiatives.
- Pay-Per-Installs Platforms like Tapjoy (formerly Offerpal) allow developers to set daily budgets and run campaigns using potential location targets such as countries, carriers, and device types.
- App Giveaways Limited-time app giveaways can be an effective strategy for promoting apps. For example, GetJar's pilot project, GetJar+, offers developers the opportunity to distribute premium apps for free, generating revenue through advertising.
Creating a desktop or mobile web version of your app using HTML5 coding can also enable app distribution across multiple platforms and help analyze user behavior on various channels, aiding strategic decision-making.
In today's competitive app landscape, it's essential to adhere to a mobile app launch checklist and distribute applications across multiple platforms and channels effectively. By understanding which mobile app distribution platforms and channels best fit your app, you can make data-driven decisions and secure the success of your app distribution strategy.
These platforms also offer software development kits (SDKs) for developers to integrate additional features to their mobile apps, making them more appealing to users and increasing downloads. For instance, integrating in-app finance management tools can cater to users managing their personal finances, enhancing a lifestyle app's functionality.
With technology continually advancing, mobile app distribution platforms are not only limited to app marketplaces. Social media platforms, blogs, and websites provide opportunities for businesses to share and market their mobile apps, reaching a broader audience and simplifying app discovery for users.
