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Ah, the age-old idea of the business meeting: by virtue of having everyone in the same room together, ideas, presentations and collaboration automatically becomes more efficient, communication is streamlined and any misconceptions or confusions are avoided. This has been one of the key justifications for business conferences and meetings throughout its existence, but technology has made it possible in recent years for this excuse to fall by the wayside. There are now dozens of technologies and applications in existence that can provide all the advantages of personal communication without the need to physically be in the same location (which can help businesses save time and money). Below, we will discuss three of these meeting and conference applications and how each can help your employees be more proactive, efficient and on the same page – without costly or lengthy in-person meetings.

Fuze for Tablets

With so many businesses now having to minimize expenses and become more efficient in the wake of a slower global economy, it makes perfect sense that many would be in search of comprehensive meeting software that eliminates the need for constant one-on-one presence. This is where an app like Fuze for Tablets can be of service. One-on-one interactions are 100% free (you will need a subscription account for more than two users to be connected simultaneously), and can be used to provide video and audio conferencing over any cellular or wireless network. Users will be able to share PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, movies, PDFs and virtually any other file imaginable. Available for download via the Android Marketplace, Fuze for Tablets allows users to collaborate and share data without the need for any physical presence.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fuzebox.fuze.android

IBM SmartCloud Meetings

One of the biggest names in the business world and a consistent team player when it comes to traditional conferencing methods, IBM has recently debuted its SmartCloud technology that will allow businesses to connect as many people to one central hub from anywhere in the world. Users will be able to see any and all shared desktop content live, see who is in the meeting and participate in group and private chats – whether that be via text or audio. Video conferencing options are also included to ensure that everyone is able to understand and convey their respective thoughts and intents. Currently available for both Android and iOS devices, IBM SmartCloud Meetings is a free download that can be used with any IBM business account to connect an unlimited number of users at once.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ibm.mobile.android.unyte

Cisco WebEx Meetings

If you need to stay connected to your office – regardless of wherever you may be – then the Cisco WebEx Meetings app can be a valuable tool. Users will be able to connect via audio and voice, share thoughts and see everyone who has joined the meeting thus far. One of the biggest names of teleconferencing, Cisco has made it its mission to provide a streamlined conferencing app that sacrifices the intricate details for simplicity and effectiveness. Available on both the Android Marketplace and the iTunes App Store, Cisco WebEx Meetings can save everyone frustration in the long-term by ensuring that they are connected and informed.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cisco.webex.meetings

So, there you have it.  If you use one of the above apps, you can still stay in touch with your colleagues and clients even when you’re on holiday.  Just don’t work too hard!

Featured images:
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Image author owned
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This post has been contributed by Jack Norway, an employee at Picture Point Terraces. He is well versed with the latest advancements in the field of design, travel and technology. Visit www.picturepointterraces.com.au for more creative ideas and information.

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From Cnet:

We are happy to announce that we have officially launched our new Pay-Per-Download (PPD) tools for use on all categories and platforms that are eligible for PPD. This back-end change will be superficial for most users–nothing fundamental has changed about the bidding, promotion, or payment systems. Publishers will now simply have access to a better system for submitting, managing, and renewing PPD bids on their Download.com software products.

This change to our processing tools is part of a new infrastructure that allows us to add new and requested features to our PPD system. One notable feature of today’s release is that you will now be able to manage your PPD and SpotBid campaign with the same tools.

To submit bids for August 2013, publishers will still follow the same process as usual. Links to submit bids will still be available from their “My Products” page. The only difference is that those links will take users to our new tools.

Note: When publishers click on the PPD links to our new system, they will be asked to log in again using their Upload.com credentials. Do not be alarmed. That is the expected behavior.

The same minimum PPD bidding rules apply to participate — 15 cents minimum CPD and $250 minimum spending cap. As usual, the winning bids and spending caps will vary by category. The bidding window is open as of today, and it will close at 12p.m. PT on July 26, 2013

For more information about the PPD program click on the FAQ here.

If you have any questions about these changes to our PPD tools or any questions about the PPD program in general please submit a request viaUpload.com Support (make sure to select “Pay Per Download” in the Category field).

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Whether you drive for a living or simply use your vehicle for picking up the kids and going shopping, there must be times when you could use a little extra help. Traffic jams are getting worse than ever before and when it comes to parking in a busy city centre, just forget it! As for the speed limits that seem to bear no resemblance to any kind of logic, you’ll need a small mortgage to cover the radar camera related fines. So it’s a big relief to learn that Android have a range of driving related apps that will slot into your Smartphone quicker than you can turn on your ignition. This article looks at some of the more useful ones and hopefully you may see one that will make your next journey a little easier!

My Car Locator – Free – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nomadrobot.mycarlocatorfree

Our first Android driving app deals with a scenario has surely happened to most drivers at least once before. You are in an unfamiliar town or perhaps you parked in a different lot, as a result you just can’t remember where your darn car is! It can take hours and nobody wants to be searching those streets after dark, especially in the downtown areas. Well now you can rest easy, My Car Locator is an absolutely free app from Android that will locate your vehicle using state of the art GPS technology. You’ll need to have access to a GPS signal and then you simply save the original location to your Google maps app and you’ll never have to worry about the street name again. You will need some clear sky for this to work 100% but even Android can’t guarantee the weather!

Waze – Free – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waze

Can you remember when Satellite Navigation systems first came out and everyone was amazed at the way these tiny boxes gave us directions to wherever we wanted to go? Well, they have got even better but still seem to be missing the human element a little bit. Now we have Waze, and this app has definitely got a fun element to its navigational qualities! As well as telling you all about the local and national traffic issues, Waze is a gateway into a real life community that helps motorists to help themselves. You’ll get the cheapest fuel prices in real time alerts and any accident hot spots will also be relayed to you. If you happen to witness anything untoward on your roads, just upload the information to your fellow ‘Wazers’ and you’ll be rewarded in kind. As well as offering an accurate navigation display, Waze will relay the directions in a friendly human voice if you prefer. An awesome driving buddy that will certainly make your journeys more fun and a lot safer!

Car Mode – Free – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schwimmer.android.carmode&hl=en

Our final Android driving app is a real corker that has your safety firmly on its mind. Car Mode will switch all of your smartphone’s calls onto the speaker system once activated. Do this just before you set off on your journey and you will be decreasing the chances of an accident by about 30%. It will not use the car’s speakers and will certainly allow you to drive without the added issues of not being able to take those important calls. It is missing a few advanced features such as voice recognition, but considering this application is totally free, we forgive it!

Driving With Android Is Cool!

Each of these apps have something to offer the discerning motorist, as they are all totally free, why not download the lot?

Featured images:
  •  License: Image author owned
  •  License: Image author owned
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The author of this post, Ian Newman, is a part of the team at Capital Volvo, a provider of trucks and truck parts in Florida. He has a keen interest in traveling and enjoys sharing his ideas via blogging.

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Anyone who has considered a makeover, a new hairstyle or other beauty accessory knows that the two biggest challenges revolve around cost and choice. With so many different styles and options to be considered, it can be difficult to know beforehand which best complements your features. The other consideration is cost: even the most basic cosmetic changes can cost an arm and a leg at certain salons, which makes many reconsider a visit. Fortunately, there are several applications that can aid users in both decision-making and cost savings; in the following article we will discuss four of these applications and what each has to offer.

Hair Salon

With hundreds of hairstyles available, some users need a little prior assistance for the selection of the perfect hair-do. The Hair Salon app is a great tool that can be used with Android device to see what any particular hairstyle will look like before you commit to chopping off those bangs. Users can quickly upload a photo of themselves to the app and the included facial detection system will determine where best to place any proposed hairstyle. This app has dozens of different hairstyles that you can try out to see which one works best for you. Currently available for free, the Hair Salon app is an awesome solution to help you know before you go.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.liogames.hairstyle

Nail Salon Designs

The Nail Salon Designs app for Android helps its users find inspiration for the perfect nails through thousands of premium nail designs that can be perused at will. Much like a catalogue, the app can be used to browse nail designs by category or colour in order to find the most desired template. Users can then either attempt to recreate their own DIY-style or show the design to their local salon professional for recreation. Currently available for free via the Android Marketplace, users of the Nail Salon Designs app can save time before they head to the nail salon and have ready the perfect design for their tastes.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skollabs.nails

How to Do Your Own Cute Nails

If you want a manicure or new set of nails but do not have the time or money to visit the salon, then the How to Do Your Own Cute Nails app may be the perfect solution. Available for Android devices, this app includes more than 200 different tutorials on how to prepare your nails for any design, proper care techniques and individual instructions for various types of designs. Those with a variety of nail polishes and acrylic nails can experiment with dozens of different looks to find the one that best suits their tastes. Like the other apps in this article, How to Do Your Own Cute Nails is a free download and can be found via the Android Marketplace.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cutenails

Hair, Nails and Makeup

The Hair, Nails and Makeup app for Android combines various elements of salon treatments so that users can quickly achieve a great makeover. With thousands of videos and hundreds of tips on how to properly create and maintain beautiful hair, nails and make-up styles, users will never have to rely on the expertise or opinion of someone else (though you may still wish to have certain hairstyles and nail creations done by a professional).

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hair.nails.makeup

Attached Images:
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The author of this post, Dave Peters, works for a leading company that provides spa services in Australia. He indulges in blogging in his free time.

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Firefox OS logoThe HTML5 vs App “battle” has raged for a long time, with companies like Netbiscuits with obvious motivations pushing HTML5 along the way. The HTML5 camp got a boost from Mozilla’s launch of the Firefox OS, and the Keon phone. UK news source The Register is not too enthusiastic about the phone, but does give some good accounts on what the potential can be for the OS itself.

According to Mozilla management they are not trying to compete with Apple and high-end Android devices though, rather they are going after lower end phones for developing markets . In those markets, and even in mature markets, the average selling price of smartphones is going down, thus Mozilla is banking on a trend where there is a need for a cheap OS and simpler experiences that even slimmed down Android phones will not be able to provide, as Firefox uses much less memory capacity of the phone.

Firefox (Source Wedbush, Mozilla)
While the OS may succeed in carving out a niche, as they certainly have very strong backing from mobile operators, and even Apple manufacturer Foxconn. But is HTML5 perhaps an Achilles heel in the whole scenario? Mobile cross platform tool provider Appcelerator completely blasts HTML5 as a viable platform, siting a lack of monetization models, poor user experience, the fact that browser fragmentation is ever present, and that Android and iOS gets releases several times a year or once a year respectively, while it has taken 5 years to get an HTML5 standard ratified. Still, they point to that HTML5 is certainly beneficial for apps where information is constantly updating and that users sometimes don’t want to download apps. So Firefox OS may face an uphill battle, not because of substandard devices or performance of the OS, but weaknesses with HTLM5. However, we’ve certainly seen cool examples of HTML5 apps, that are awesome for displaying information, so good designers can certainly do good things with the platform. The beauty of the whole thing? CodeNgo will quite easily support distribution to HTML5 app stores when and if the market takes off!

For a more in-dept look on Mozilla and Firefox, we recommend an excellent report by securities firm Wedbush. The fox is loose – let’s see what the hens do (we don’t even know what that means, but sounds good as finish :)).

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Anyone who has identified troubled areas of their home may wonder how they can fit the time in to fix the issues – let alone the finances necessary to accomplish the task. In the past, home remodeling was a chore that usually require professionals to provide their services, but technology has made it possible for us to achieve much more on our own. In the area of mobile applications, there are a variety of tools and solutions to help us get any job done. Below, we will discuss four home remodeling applications that can be used to fix just about any area of the home.

Dream Home

If you need inspiration for your next big home remodeling task, then the Dream Home application for Android devices will make a great selection. Users can browse hundreds of different home design elements and sort them by room, category or color. Whether you are interested in architectural elements or simple furnishing to liven up a room, the Dream Home app provides them all in one easy-to-use interface. Currently available for free, users of the Dream Home app can save their remodeling and design ideas direct to their SD cards for future reference and subsequently share them with friends or professional renovators hired for a particular task.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wangsong.dreamhome

Interior Design Gallery

Anyone who sees areas in which home remodeling and design elements can be improved will enjoy the Interior Design Gallery, a free application currently available for download via the Android Marketplace. Users will be able to browse a variety of different rooms – sorted by category – in order to find inspiration and know-how for that next big project. High definition photos make it easy to see how each element of the room interacts with the ambiance of the design, and users can save these photos directly to their SD cards. Before you head to the home improvement store, be sure to give the Interior Design Gallery app your attention, and get ready to be inspired.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=house3.lsf.wallpapers

Flooring DIY Advice

One major element of home renovations, flooring, is often a popular and low-key way to add value and ambiance to the home. The Flooring DIY Advice app for Android devices allows it users to peruse a variety of valuable topics on how to install hardwood flooring, how to repair scratches and dents, how to properly clean and maintain floors and dozens of other topics. What can often cost an arm and a leg via a professional can cost you pennies on the dollar once you are armed with the knowledge that the Flooring DIY Advice app can provide. This app is available for free and can be found on the Android Marketplace.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.easysource.flooring

Home Improvement & Repair

Let’s face it: not every job is a candidate for DIY repairs or renovations. This is where the Home Improvement & Repair application can assist home owners. You will be able to find a variety of qualified contractors in your area that specialize in many elements of home repair and improvement. Whether you need gutter cleaners, masonry, painting or electrical work performed, the Home Improvement & Repair app can connect you with someone who is local and qualified. This app is free and available for all Android devices.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.friendtrusted.androidapp

Attached Images:
  •  License: Image author owned
  •  License: Image author owned
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This article was contributed by Ridley Pierce; he works as a marketing at Broadway Hardwood Flooring, a leading laminate flooring company based in Toronto. He enjoys sharing his views and opinions on the latest gadgets that hit the market via his articles.

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Many of us have lost our enthusiasm for driving because it just seems like an uphill struggle most of the time. The roads are full of cars and the situation is getting worse on a daily basis. More learner drivers are passing their tests and as a result we are seeing levels of congestion like never before. To make matters worse, there are millions of experienced drivers who seem to have forgotten most of the stuff that enabled them to get their license in the first place. Thankfully, Android have released some clever driving apps that promise to remedy some of this difficult situation that faces motorists every day. This article looks at a few of them and gives an unbiased review.

Canadian Driving Tests by Monologix Inc – Free https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kep.driving.canadian&hl=en

Our first Android driving app is a real corker that will help learner drivers and experienced ones at the same time. This ranked as the number one Driving Test App in Canada and rightly so! This application will help any driver to learn all about the present driving rules in Canada, and many experienced drivers could do with a thorough refresher course. It contains over 3200 province specific questions and covers every sign and rule you could imagine. Each test you take will automatically reshuffle the contents so you will never get the same sequence twice. You can take this test offline so you are never restricted to requiring an internet signal at any time. All of the questions are taken from the latest version of the Canadian rulebook and you will see exactly the same ones in the official theory test. The interface is extremely user friendly and very intuitive indeed. We love this app and believe it will be a real boon to those learning to drive and those who should know a little better!

I’m Driving by imdrivingapp.net – Free http://imdrivingapp.net/

One of the biggest causes of driving related accidents is when the driver becomes distracted for whatever reasons. The cell phone tends to be a chief culprit and it can be so annoying when you are trying to concentrate and that pesky device just won’t stop ringing! Well that will no longer be an issue if you care to opt for a free download of this bad boy app! I’m Driving is an ingenious piece of software that has your safety at the forefront of its ‘mind’. When your buddies keep on calling your phone, they have no way of knowing that you are driving a vehicle. They may have some important news and will persist in calling you until you pick the darn phone up. This is where the I’m Driving app steps in with its size nines. It will automatically send any caller a pre-defined message to let them know you are otherwise engaged (driving).  You can select the option that only replies to people on your contact list if you’d rather not reply to unknown callers. We love this app and believe that it will reduce the amount of accidents on the Canadian roads, if you are interested please download it when you have a chance!

Android Loves Safer Roads!

So there you have it, 2 very cool Android Apps that are doing their bit for Canadian road safety!

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The author of this post, Harry Blake, is a freelance blogger who works for Get Me Tires. He has many years of experience in the automobile industry and has sound knowledge about car parts and accessories. He loves swimming and plays tennis every weekend.

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It’s a great feeling when you are home for the day after a hideous 8 hours at work with a nasty commute tagged on the end of it. Your close the door and feel grateful for your lovely home and even lovelier family! But are you certain that the safety of your home will not be compromised? Due to the current economic recession, there are more and more desperate individuals who would like nothing better than getting their mitts on your possessions. The sad fact is that your family are also at risk as long as these people have a way of entering your home. We are looking at a number of products on the market that will give you a little more security in your home. The good news is that most thieves are lazy incompetent devils that will always shy away from a little extra effort. Please read this article for some information about a few rather clever little helpers.

Lockitron – $179 – Available from Summer 2013


We get the ball rolling with an outstanding application form the geniuses at Lockitron. It is not available for a couple of months but there are already 14,704 people who have reserved this app! The idea behind this product is very simple indeed, and you install the physical locking device over your existing deadlock/deadbolt system. The device will then let you know, via your smartphone, whether or not your door is locked or open. You can simply lock or open the door using your application. This will work from any location in the world. You can give your friends and family access to the door and you will be alerted when they use the appropriate entry method. This will work with any smartphone and even older phones will be able to open and shut doors protected by Lockitron!  There is even a Bluetooth feature that will open the door automatically from your iPhone as long as the app is installed correctly. In a world of doubt and insecurity, thanks heavens for this brilliant and innovative device!

Locked Door Reminder – Android – Free

How many of us have driven or walked away from our homes and suddenly wondered whether or not we have locked the front door? Rush back and see the darn thing is still open, after a quick check inside we lock the door and go on our merry way. And then the doubt sets in, did we check every room? And maybe someone is hiding in our home? Well, those days will become unpleasant memories thanks to this absolutely free app from those clever folk down at Android.  All it takes is a peek at your Android device and you will soon be in the picture, it is as simple as that. You can even add your vehicle’s entry system to the application and it will take care of that too! If your door is forced open whilst you are away, you will get an instant notification to alert you of an intruder.

Two Of The Best?

We think that both of these apps are pretty much on the money, even though one is free! If you like the sound of either, well just let your touch screen do the hard work whilst you sit back and look forward to a more secure family home!

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Today’s featured contributor, Mark Victor, is a security consultant at Protector Locksmith. He is a frequent blogger and likes to update his readers about the latest door lock and other security systems available in the market.

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Anyone who travels for work or pleasure on a regular basis knows how much of a hassle it can be to find the perfect flight at the best rates. For the longest, the act of comparison shopping for airfare revolved around the concept of calling multiple airlines to see which ones had the best rates, or using an expensive travel agency to find the best deals. These days, though, technology has empowered everyone from casual travelers to experienced businessmen as they search for the best rates through a variety of mobile applications. Below, we will discuss four applications that can help you find the best rates on flights to and from anywhere in the world.

KAYAK

Known worldwide as one of the largest travel accommodation hubs, the KAYAK app for Android and iOS devices, gives users access to millions of great deals on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you need to find a quick flight, KAYAK’s advanced filtering features can pull last-minute deals for you to consider. Likewise, those with a finite amount of cash can quickly use the KAYAK roaming feature to see where they can travel for a certain amount. You will also be able to browse baggage fees, view your scheduled itinerary and access any and all airline contact information.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kayak/id305204535?mt=8

Orbitz

Whether you wish to book a reservation or simply compare rates between airlines, the Orbitz app is a definite top contender for its versatility and huge selection of flights. Available on both iOS and Android devices, the Orbitz app can be used to find hotels near your destination airport, to observe current flight status and booking details and even be utilized to find ‘Orbitz Mobile Steals’ – deals on airfare that can be up to 50% off regular price. With an array of airport-related tools integrated, you can check the status of your baggage, grab gate information and of course, the current status of your booked flight.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orbitz

Skyscanner

If your top priority is to save money on a flight, then Skyscanner is the best solution by far. With connections to thousands of discount airlines, Skyscanner combines these offerings into one easy-to-use app that displays more than 1,000,000 different flight routes worldwide. You will be able to compare discounted airfare, explore amenities and flight options for each offering, share flight details with friends and family via email and can be used in nearly thirty different languages. Available on the Android Marketplace, Skyscanner is a free download.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.skyscanner.android.main

CheapOair

The CheapOair app for Android and iOS devices offers discounted prices on both flight and hotel accommodations. With options to browse various results by price, date, destination and number of stops, you can select the perfect flight without any compromise. Once you have made your reservations, you can use CheapOair to select your meal and seating preferences to ensure quick and accurate service once on the plane, and a packing list section allows users to create complex check-lists to ensure nothing is forgotten at home or while on vacation. CheapOair is a free download and can be found on the Android Marketplace and the iTunes Store.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cheapoair-flight-search/id436858222?mt=8

Attached Images:
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Today’s guest author, Jane Austen, is an operations manager at Go Vietnam Visa, an agency that provides assistance in all your Vietnam visa requirements. After a long day at work, she is seen winding up with a cup of coffee and a good book to read.

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With more than 750k apps available in the Google Play store, the big boys from Mountain View have come even with Apple in terms of the total number of mobile applications. Developers now face the same issue with discoverability as in the Apple App Store: limited features by the editors, competitive categories and keyword exploitation. App Store Optimization for Google Play can help to position your app on top of the rankings, increase visibility within your category and drive additional organic installs. My clients have seen an uplift of downloads by up to 20% after applying the basic tactics in Google Play ASO. The search and result algorithm within Google Play is actually the lean and simple version of Google´s equivalent for the web. So as you might know from web SEO seminars and learning, Google applies certain factors to define one´s website (or in our case app´s) ranking position after a search request. Based on 20 active Google apps I am able to manage and analyze, I found out that the most prominent factors are:

  • Download volume
  • Number of Active Installs
  • Number and Quality of Ratings
  • Keyword Density with the Apps Metadata
  • Number of Google+ mentions
  • Number of Backlinks

Google+ mentions and backlinks were recently introduced to the algorithm and are more important than ever for ASO: I ran a campaign for a news app in Germany in late spring, promoting only the opportunity to “G+” the app´s page in the social network as well as on the app´s Google Play page. We generated 1.500 “G+” within two weeks and saw an increase of the daily download rate by 250. No other promotion was done within those two weeks. With regards to backlinks, Google itself mentioned the importance of good inbound marketing for your app during I/O 2013 (Video link). So how you actually conquer the Google Play algorithm? I’ve always try to boil it down to the following 10 basic tactics:

  1. Use keywords wisely in your App Title: it is limited to 30 characters, so make sure, the title is readable and contains at least 2 keywords.
  2. Additionally, work your keywords into your description text. Do this intelligently, make the description readable above all other things and do not violate trademarks. I.e. a quote from a review site might help or a testimonial from one of your users. Make sure you apply a keyword at least 3-4 times.
  3. Be supportive: simply have a nice footer ready, promoting your support email, social accounts or even a dedicated landing page for anyone, who wants to get in touch.
  4. Promote your G+: On each appstore page, there is a G+ button making it possible to share the apps information and metadata via Google+. Promote this opportunity within your apps description text as well as in update texts.
  5. Take advantage of the update texts a.k.a. “What´s new”. Whenever you are running an update, user will recognize your commitment to improving the app, giving them an improved experience with it. Do not fall short here. Instead, address the user personally, thank them for their patience and support and promote any other news. I.e. I even worked out a sweepstake for a client, and had the registration email promoted to retained user via the update text field. Lookout
  6. Localize all meta data. Apple App Store and Google Play let you adjust title, description, keywords and artwork to various language settings. Use the opportunity and streamline all your marketing activities for local markets: your app is translated, your mobile marketing campaign is localized – so should your app´s meta data be.
  7. Put all your heart and soul into the icon design. Do not miss out on that one, an icon appears next to the title in every app search result. Make sure icon stand out and attractive enough to make people click. If you want to A/B test various icon designs in a simple and efficient way use an AdWord campaign during your creation phase.
  8. Have great screenshots and a promotional graphic available. Tell a story, show the nature and features of your app. Again, make the user click and download. You can be as much creative as you´d like: use mashups, photos, paintings, feature VIPs or your social accounts or even cross-promote your other apps. A great source of mobile app designs (icons, landingpage, screenshots etc.) is my partner Kristian´s Pinterest Board.
  9. Make use of your app promo trailers. Video trailers are supported by Google Play and Amazon Appstore. Go for it, companies like Apptamin or AppVideos.tv provide smart and affordable production services and can help you to make a great video for your app.
  10. Nothing worsens a user´s first impression of an appstore page than stupid mistakes. Try to proofread all your metadata before launch and before an update. Check all the links to your website, privacy policy and support email (and make sure you have them set-up in a mobile version too).

I hope these 10 basics help you, to kick-start your app in the Google Play store. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me: stefan – at – stefanbielau.com. Stefan BielauStefan Bielau has more than 11 years of experience working in the media industry. Currently he helps companies to achieve their goals in terms of mobile revenues, content distribution and digital expansion. His clients include companies like Lookout Inc., HAILO, simyo, ImmobilienScout24 and various publishing houses. Prior to his consulting assignments, he founded dailyme, the leading application for mobile video and TV in the German-speaking area. Stefan has been in various executive management positions in Poland and Germany and invests in early-stage startups and is an advisor to Codengo. He blogs about App Store Optimization (ASO), a new type of mobile marketing. App Store Optimization is the SEO approach to mobile, improving an app´s visibility in the major app stores. His blog: www.appstoreoptimization.tumblr.com He is an avid user of social media tools, feel free to follow via www.twitter.com/StefanBielau or connect via www.linkedin.com/in/StefanBielau