Why alternative app stores are still relevant

Over the past few years, Android has become the most popular mobile operating system in the world and Google Play store is the most popular go-to place for users when finding an app. As a developer, often the most difficult questions after finishing an excellent app are: How am I going to earn money from the app and to get the most installs of my apps? Is the Play store enough to reach the optimal amount of users? Will it generate good income? Chances are that publishing your app in the Play store is not enough, as every single other app is a competitor vying for attention, which means your competitors number in the millions.  Does this mean the answer is to spend money on ads, which can get very expensive? Luckily, there are alternatives on the distribution side which means you can get exposure and installs without paying for it. There are numbers of alternate app stores you can utilize to promote your apps.

by Liz Rustia

While most opt for Google Play as it has the most guaranteed audiences for a fee of $25, and of course, for SEO purposes you must be there, there are several other options you can consider to help you promote an Android app. According to AndroidHeadlines  a study conducted by 451 Research found that the number of alternative Android app stores has been steadily increasing in 2017.  Though some stores require your app be submitted on Google Play first, there are also numerous other stores that publish your app even if it is not on Google Play.

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How can alternative Android app stores be useful?

Easier promotion:

Aside from the fact that Google Play asks you to pay a $25 fee per submission while most alternative stores offer free publishing and promotion,  Google Play has the most competition! Google Play contains over 2 million apps, so it’s quite difficult to get your app to be listed on early pages where most of the download action is, and chances are users may not even find your product. So, if you are just starting the app business, trying to get noticed and reach a broader audience, opting for the alternative stores can be very helpful. The alternative app stores, while obviously having less traffic, also has fewer apps, so by simply publishing your app, you will get installs you would otherwise never get.

No restrictions:

Google Play has several restrictions and some apps may not be available in certain countries. But most alternative play stores support localized applications from various countries so you reach users where Google Play doesn’t.

Our Top Three Picks:

Amazon:

The Amazon Appstore for Android is currently available in 200 countries. Powered by the world’s web retailer, the Amazon Appstore for Android has grown rapidly due in large part to the success of the Amazon Kindle. Amazon’s well-known merchandising capabilities makes this store a must-have distribution outlet for top Android publishers.

Promotional Tools
– Amazon pays developers 70% of the list price for all sales including in-app sales.
– In-app sales require Amazon’s in-app billing solution

Opera:

The Opera store is a store run by Norwegian browser company Opera. Opera offers a single point of distribution for multiple distribution channels as its platform is white-labeled by a wide range of OEMs, carriers and distributors. Working in 57 countries Opera is an ideal partner to reach deep into several local markets with your apps. While the Opera web browser has a small market share, their mobile browser has a significant presence in top markets like India and also in emerging markets like Africa and Indonesia.

Getjar:

GetJar is the world’s largest free app store. Established in 2004 they currently see 3 million downloads per day and have had over 3.1 billion downloads to date. In addition to Android, Getjar also supports apps for most major platforms including RIM, Java, Windows Mobile & more. Even your mobile site can be published through Getjar! Getjar has been at the forefront in this space for almost a decade now.

App stores will only help you publish your app, but how do you go about getting downloads and installs?  Well, that depends on YOU. Regardless where you publish your apps, the app quality, its resolution and SEO efforts still play a big part in your success.  Our blog contains plenty of information on this topic, so we welcome you to explore more.