Table of Contents
Loads of Mobile Apps out there on the Play Store and App Store vie for people’s attention. Some remain untouched, and some have to bide their time, waiting for that perfect moment when someone comes to unveil its offerings. This constant tussle calls Soft Launch to be at the centre stage.
Is your app all set to run the uphill battle? What does it take to draw potential user’s attention to your app? Is it the technical aspect – the design, coding, documentation, or the creative ones – press releases, marketing efforts, advertising, publishing etc.? Or is it both at the same time? Miniscule bugs can pile up to create a mountain of errors which often becomes difficult to fix at a later stage, making your head spin and your heart pound.
So, what is it that you should do or think about before your app launch? Can you make it a little easier? Here’s a check-in.
Build your mobile app in small parts – It will eventually grow. Before coming upon a full-fledged version, try launching a beta version with a pivot service or product offering. Learn from the reaction of your audience – (1) what do they like, and (2) what are they critical about, (3) does your first iteration address their concerns and create a selling proposition?
Arguably you may or may not have a huge fan base. You might be a start-up, but that should not deter you from following your heart’s desire? After all, we’re all learning here. But exercise a bit of caution, and assemble real-life feedbacks from your customers. They are the ones that will make you shine. Once you’re all set, think about the later development – testing – launch – maintenance stages, in that order.
Soft launching can often backfire if in case you’re testing it and someone takes it seriously. No one wants that to happen. An incomplete version of your app – or a prototype – works only if your end-customer is well-informed about what’s going on; It will sustain if you take your potential clients along on your journey to building an app. Just let them know that we are coming up with more, peek into the highlights, and so on.
But a soft launch will help your idea sustain, and your product/service will be better off. It will be cost-effective simultaneously, as now you know what’ll work and what needs reform. It will give you space to craft your work, address your passion and drive your abilities to bring out the best. You’ll stay ahead of the competition; they won’t be able to figure out your next moves as you’re not revealing the entire thing on the platter at once. (Save some room for the desserts.) You’ll be largely happy with the results, guaranteed; Moreover, you’ll be in complete control of what you’ll be coming up with within the subsequent stages. You’ll never have to copy the stronger players in the market, as you’ll contemplate your app features and functionalities based on the current market demand. Plus, you’ll never have to wait for your customers to be ready enough to embrace your offering. They’ll look forward to it; E.g. Pokémon GO, Rush Wars, Dawn of Titans.
If you wish to enjoy the perks, you must not miss any of these quirks before you soft launch your app:
You’ll be able to draft a plan and define a course of action henceforth. It will also lead you to determine the outcomes of your soft launch.
Your product needs a space to grow – bud – and fruit. It requires a lot of grooming before the actual release. And for it to be advantageous – it is recommended to conduct frequent small tests to verify the health of the application; It also includes where the application is – to be launched, to whom it will cater and what it will offer. If you aim to target the United States, Try UK or Australia for a soft launch; your aim should be localizing native English speakers. Also, you can look forward to generalizing Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, which speak English as their second language of communication. Similarly, make your app stress test on a larger audience or bigger groups such as countries with a diversified population such as India, China, the Philippines,
It might be convincing, but only if you’re doubtful about any of the above steps – strategies – procedures, try a hard launch instead.
Give soft launch a 180-degree twist, and you’ll figure out what hard launch is. Design – develop – test – release your app without any initial beta release and customer feedback – it’s launching an app the hard way. It has its repercussions and benefits. Unlike a soft launch, you’ll still be able to make adjustments to your app, but with difficulty. The cost of re-doing anything will be high. You’ll need to invest more, as you’re unaware of what works and what doesn’t.
The benefits of a proper launch will bring a sure competitive advantage. A fully functional app will attract users who will have less to complain about and more to look forward to; This way, a perfect app version will fetch some fresh revenue streams and take less time to become an apple of the eyes.
Go for it – (1) if you are well known within your niche industry if you have a solid strategy to back up, (2) if you are prepping up some big update in your existing application, and (3) have less time to waste. It does not take too long!
Konstant can match soft and hard launches for you. But we’ve time to think about it later. Moving ahead with caution, think about gaining your peer’s interests? What do they think about your business? Are you successful? Or do you seem to be in the coming times? Do they perceive your passion already? Create a value proposition, and of course, you can surprise them by offering more! Try giving them a minimally viable version (MVP) as they seek a prototype before approving it. Watch out for turning your minimal viable product into a unique selling proposition. That’s too much to ask for already. Is it? But if you wish your followers to become your brand ambassadors, you’ll have to tread.
Ok, now, as the rehearsal is over, it’s time to act. Your practices will help you gain market insights with a better grip on what’s coming up next in terms of trends. You can fine-tune your existing offerings and think about monetizing your mobile app with the available exposure. And if you’re lucky enough, by this time, you have a market backup and a push to propel you forward. You might experience a wait time, but the outcomes will be pretty stable. It will mark the onset of your business success and subsequent growth.
As you progress, you can ingest all failures (learning) & turn them into a risk cum opportunity. Not immediate profits might be itchy, accounting for a buggy experience but think of it as an official kick to set new boundaries and barriers to open up for positive conversations ahead. Leaping into an ‘affordable market’ and acquiring a new customer base will make your business effective and efficient. Try reaching out for occasional help in case of occasional glitches or problematic points – it often happens in the real world. But believe that you’re above it, and it will all turn out wonderfully well. With a unique service offering, you can offer what others cannot provide to your potential customers.
If you’re determined to do it exactly, your soft launch vs. hard launch will be ‘efficacious’ & rewarding both for your business and to your end customers. Oh, were you looking to promote it as soon as you publish your app on app stores/play store? Go ahead, make your first move. Let it engage your audience and disrupt your industry. Which approach do you wish to follow? Need help? Contact us!
Neeti Kotia is a technology journalist who seeks to analyze the advancements and developments in technology that affect our everyday lives. Her articles primarily focus upon the business, social, cultural, and entertainment side of the technology sector.
Or send us an email at: [email protected]
