by Kevin
June 25, 2013 10:00
Submitting Your App to the Windows Phone Store
Don’t Rush It
This will be the first impression customers have of your app, so make it count.
Create an Enticing Write-Up for Your App
Highlight what is special about your app, especially if there are others like it already in the Windows Phone Store. Make customers want to download and try it.
Include More Than the Single Required Screenshot
Screaming Sheep is one of my apps that doesn’t use all 8 screenshot slots, but it will when I update it with a save to ringtone page. (Yes, someone actually emailed me to request that feature.)
Choose the Right Category, But Don’t be Afraid to Change It
It’s better to be at the top of the business category than at the bottom of the tools + productivity category. When I moved WinPhone Info Free to the business category (currently #4), my daily downloads increased substantially and have remained consistent since then.
Don’t Forget the Windows Phone 7 XAP
If your app doesn’t have Windows Phone 8-only features, take the time to make a Windows Phone 7 version. Otherwise, you are missing out on a very large customer base.
Price Your App Reasonably
Free apps get downloaded at a much higher rate than paid apps, but paid apps can make money faster than ad-based apps. If you want a lot of downloads, go with a free app and only include adds if the app warrants it. You probably aren’t going to get rich off of ad revenue anyway, so you might as well have a popular app. (No, fart apps shouldn’t include ads.)
Verify Your Markets
Skip China if your app has anything to do with maps, because including it is a guaranteed rejection. Also, don’t forget to go back and check your apps when new markets are added, because they don’t always get added automatically.
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