You’ve done it! You’ve created an original app that you are sure everyone will want to use! But, it’s still running on the small time. You want your app to go to the next level, but no big companies have come pounding on your door asking your price. What do you do? If you want your app to go all the way, you’ll need to follow the four following steps:

1. Branding

If you want it to sell, you have got to make it look good from every angle. Does the name of your app make it’s function clear? Is your color scheme and design style consistent? Choose or make a relevant icon, and use it consistently. It will become your brand. On your store page or website (we recommend both), any featured screenshot of your app should make the viewer think, “Oh! I already get how that app works! I’d like to have an app like that!”. While you’re at it, jazz up your short description and anything else potential buyers may be looking at to get an impression of your app’s quality. Run A/B tests for all of your new designs. 

Customer reviews are a part of your branding. You’ll want to attract as many positive reviews as possible, so keep your app updated and running smoothly. Pay attention to any customer reviews that suggest how the app could be improved. Big time buyers are sure to look through your customer reviews to gage whether your app is worth buying.

2. Exposure

Your buyer can’t be the first one who’s ever heard of your app. To do this you’ll first need to focus on the App Store. Keywords will be essential. When you’ve used all of the obvious ones, take a look at your competitors. Their homepages and customer reviews will give you further ideas on great keywords to use. 

Create social media accounts for your app where you can advertise updates, deals, or feature your best customer reviews. Once you’ve got your website set up, consider hiring a marketing agency to boost your visibility through search engines. This can be especially helpful to build brand awareness and promote conversions on your site. Create a landing page that draws attention to your new app to lead people into downloading it to their mobile devices. Again, marketing agencies are the best way to effectively accomplish these things for you and your new app. Be active on LinkedIn as well --it will be easier to reach out to potential buyers if you’ve already connected with them online.

Many business minds need to be aware of their friends as well as their competitors. There may be some businesses, who, if they are not willing to buy your app, may be interested in partnering with you. Consider which businesses could be helped by your app’s services. Is your app a fitness app? Sportswear companies might be willing to partner with you. Does your app connect your customers to great grocery bargains? Some of those grocery stores might be willing to support you. The better connected you appear, the more potential buyers will notice you. 

3. Value

Calculate your net cash flow, all your gains minus all your improvement/maintenance/etc expenditures. Keep careful records of your calculations. Interested buyers will want to see them and may be put off if you don’t have proof of your app’s value. Whatever you pitch as your selling price will have to be justifiable when looking at your app’s net cash flow, growth, maintenance cost, and the price of competitor apps.

4. Contact 

Now that you know your app, its instrumental and monetary value, you are ready to start contacting some buyers. Research the market. Use LinkedIn, Twitter, anything you can think of to connect with potential buyers. Once you’ve found one potential buyer to focus on, prepare your sales pitch. How are they going to know that they want your app? Be ready to offer them a free demo or sample of your app. It’s important for you to know your price, but don’t jump to it right away. If you can’t make your potential buyer feel that it was their original idea to buy your app, at least frame your pitch so that they are thinking about the benefits of purchasing your app.