FreeAppADay or Similar services, worth or not?

raymng · August 2012

Anybody tried freeappaday.com or similar promotion techniques before?
I want to know how it works actually, and how much it costs?

Thanks!

MarkC · August 2012

Costs a small fortune, and brings you shedloads of downloads; when you put it back to paid however, the results will vary depending on what type of app it is and the interactions the app has with the user - if it's a multi-player game, it stands a better chance of keeping momentum than, for example, a mirror app, which will very quickly subside to pre-campaign levels...

ilmman · August 2012

I had someone emailed me about promoting my app as it was from paid to free. For a few days my sales sky rocketed before returning back to normal (it didn't last in the top charts for long). But I didn't even pay a cent for it and it was free, so its worth to have a look and get 100,000 generate downloads from real users without paying.. just email the person they seem desperate to feature more apps.

raymng · August 2012

It seems the result is not bad, where can I get this promotion for free?? If not free, how much is it?
Also, somebody said switching app from free back to paid would make the ranking falling to the bottom, is it true??

Thanks!!

Serge9 · August 2012

they are not bad and yes, it is falling to the bottom

raymng · August 2012

Any free service?? or How much??

shigaugi · August 2012

So how much does FAAD charge? How big is their userbase?
Are they any better than App-o-Day or Free-App-Alliance?

alan@appromoter.com · August 2012

If you're confident that your game is good and those people who download give you good reviews it can be a great thing to do. I personally have used the Free App Alliance and had great results and then many of our clients here at appromoter use the service (we get it discounted for them) and normally see good results. We tend to take a look at the app first and let you know whether we think it's good enough to benefit from the exposure. Hope that helps. Welcome to email me for more information and figures on it (no, not just the cost:)).
alan@appromoter.com

raymng · August 2012

It seems most of them are games, any chances for other apps to succeed?

alan@appromoter.com · August 2012

Certainly. Best to email me: alan@appromoter.com. Or skype: alanappromoter

mateusz · August 2012

My app was featured in AppsGoneFree app and on appadvice.com (they picked it up so it was free). I had 5 000 downloads 1s day, 3 000 next day, 1 000 3rd day etc, and when I turned it back to paid after few more days download numbers were unchanged (1-5 / day). At least I gained some reviews and feedback but its not kind of service I will pay for

raymng · August 2012

mateusz said:
My app was featured in AppsGoneFree app and on appadvice.com (they picked it up so it was free). I had 5 000 downloads 1s day, 3 000 next day, 1 000 3rd day etc, and when I turned it back to paid after few more days download numbers were unchanged (1-5 / day). At least I gained some reviews and feedback but its not kind of service I will pay for

I think this is only good if you want to expand your user base and you believe your app would be addicted to users, so you can try to sell some IAP later.

How about your ranking change?

Thanks.

Lars · August 2012

It depends on your goals. I actually had a goal of just increasing my user base. I didn't want the game to have so few users on Game Center, and I for the daily games I was wanting a better competition base. So I decided to set the game free for 24 hours myself. All sorts of websites picked up on it, and a few FreeAppADay type apps hosted it quickly for free as well (and sent me notes asking me to change my app description to say it was because of them, which I did not do). Overall, I had a huge boost in users, I have kept a good group that are interested in the daily challenges and it did bump up my sales for a little while. Something to consider just trying it yourself first to see how you do before you pay for others.

Now ... if your app is all about iAP, then ignore everything I said. Go for the large promotions and get the needed user base to drive sales.

Finally - as far as cost, when I contacted FAAD awhile ago, they were charging 4,000. A little crazy for my budget. Don't know if that's still the case, just drop them a note and find out if you are interested.

raymng · August 2012

Lars said:
It depends on your goals. I actually had a goal of just increasing my user base. I didn't want the game to have so few users on Game Center, and I for the daily games I was wanting a better competition base. So I decided to set the game free for 24 hours myself. All sorts of websites picked up on it, and a few FreeAppADay type apps hosted it quickly for free as well (and sent me notes asking me to change my app description to say it was because of them, which I did not do). Overall, I had a huge boost in users, I have kept a good group that are interested in the daily challenges and it did bump up my sales for a little while. Something to consider just trying it yourself first to see how you do before you pay for others.

Now ... if your app is all about iAP, then ignore everything I said. Go for the large promotions and get the needed user base to drive sales.

Finally - as far as cost, when I contacted FAAD awhile ago, they were charging 4,000. A little crazy for my budget. Don't know if that's still the case, just drop them a note and find out if you are interested.

I don't understand, you said FAAD hosted your app for free, why you still contacted them?
Anyway US4000 is too much, instead buying paid reviews should get more sales in long turns...

Lars · August 2012

raymng said:

Lars said:
It depends on your goals. I actually had a goal of just increasing my user base. I didn't want the game to have so few users on Game Center, and I for the daily games I was wanting a better competition base. So I decided to set the game free for 24 hours myself. All sorts of websites picked up on it, and a few FreeAppADay type apps hosted it quickly for free as well (and sent me notes asking me to change my app description to say it was because of them, which I did not do). Overall, I had a huge boost in users, I have kept a good group that are interested in the daily challenges and it did bump up my sales for a little while. Something to consider just trying it yourself first to see how you do before you pay for others.

Now ... if your app is all about iAP, then ignore everything I said. Go for the large promotions and get the needed user base to drive sales.

Finally - as far as cost, when I contacted FAAD awhile ago, they were charging 4,000. A little crazy for my budget. Don't know if that's still the case, just drop them a note and find out if you are interested.
I don't understand, you said FAAD hosted your app for free, why you still contacted them?
Anyway US4000 is too much, instead buying paid reviews should get more sales in long turns...

Sorry, I meant a FAAD knockoff. There are several startups trying to get the point of competing with FAAD and right now they are just building their user base. So when you drop the price of your app to Free, they add you in and send you a note saying "Please change your description to read - Free for a Day thanks to xxxxxx". I just don't even remember the names now.

I contacted FAAD because I was considering doing a promotion myself and adding iAPs, but for that price, I was in the wrong league. And for that price, I assume they have no need to reach out to small people like me. Those waiting to release must be numerous (and with deep pockets!)

shigaugi · August 2012

Just a thought... Let' assume FAAD will push your game to 200K users (I'm not sure about this number, but it sounds reasonable). 75% of them will install it. With these kind of services you get around 2%~3% conversion rate (because although these are organic downloads, they are not "quality" downloads, but mostly kids with no money downloading any free-app-a-day around, trying it for a few minutes and then probably deleting it). So you probably get around 4500 paid installs. The added value is the huge boost you will get on the app store ranking, which in turn will benefit you with REAL organic downloads with a much better conversion rate (assuming you have a good app going on). Is it worth $4000? I think so.

raymng · August 2012

shigaugi said:
Just a thought... Let' assume FAAD will push your game to 200K users (I'm not sure about this number, but it sounds reasonable). 75% of them will install it. With these kind of services you get around 2%~3% conversion rate (because although these are organic downloads, they are not "quality" downloads, but mostly kids with no money downloading any free-app-a-day around, trying it for a few minutes and then probably deleting it). So you probably get around 4500 paid installs. The added value is the huge boost you will get on the app store ranking, which in turn will benefit you with REAL organic downloads with a much better conversion rate (assuming you have a good app going on). Is it worth $4000? I think so.

FAAD should promote "paid > free" apps only? Or it will promote free apps with iAP too?

For "paid to free" apps, when you change back to paid after one day, you can't benefit the ranking boost. Many developer mentioned that before. So you only get more users and iAP sales if you have.

For free app selling iAP, I doubt FAAD would accept this or not..

hansika · August 2012

No dont go for it , i wasted 4k $ with it...

raymng · August 2012

hansika said:
No dont go for it , i wasted 4k $ with it...

Could you mind to share more your experiences?
Thanks.

raymng · August 2012

hansika said:
No dont go for it , i wasted 4k $ with it...

Could you mind to share more your experiences?
Thanks.

shigaugi · August 2012

@raymng - you are right, as long as I change my game from Free to Paid again. But what if I leave it FREE, and try to monetize on the IAP? Then it seems like a good move, with the chart ranking boost and all...

@hansika - as raymng asked, please share your experience. How many users installed your app after it being promoted with FAAD?

I heard some great success stories with FAAD, and I heard that all the big titles use such services (FAAD, AppODay, AppGratis etc.) when they launch.

raymng · August 2012

shigaugi said:
@raymng - you are right, as long as I change my game from Free to Paid again. But what if I leave it FREE, and try to monetize on the IAP? Then it seems like a good move, with the chart ranking boost and all...

@hansika - as raymng asked, please share your experience. How many users installed your app after it being promoted with FAAD?

I heard some great success stories with FAAD, and I heard that all the big titles use such services (FAAD, AppODay, AppGratis etc.) when they launch.

I see, but are you going to make the original "paid" contents to become "iAP"? Is it a real free version?

AppManiac · August 2012

I made a travel app on Poland and it is totally free. I would like to share features of my app. Read following description.
Poland Travel Guide App is a stylish new app that serves as a perfect guide while traveling to one of the most beautiful countries of Central Europe, Poland. The app brings the Modern UI experience for the users with its great style and clean interface. With Poland Travel Guide, you can get detailed information about the country, cities, culture, places to see along with images of each place. Additional features include accommodation, restaurants, shopping and transportation options. A detailed map is provided for each city including climate widget, with constant weather updates. So, whether you are looking for a restaurant offering authentic Polish cuisine in Poznan or planning to visit a museum in Warsaw, the needed information is just a tap away.
App URL: - http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/poland-travel-guide-app-nex/id551693233

shigaugi · September 2012

raymng said:

I see, but are you going to make the original "paid" contents to become "iAP"? Is it a real free version?

I have two options:

1. Keep the game totally free (meaning all levels remain unlocked) and monetize on the IAP
2. Reverting back to the Lite/PRO model, where the game is free to try, and after a certain level it asks 1$ to continue

In either case the game in the app store remains FREE, so I don't experience the chart ranking drop.

alan@appromoter.com · September 2012

Was anyone at Mobile Monday London yesterday? This subject was discussed by the panel briefly. General consensus was depending on your app, and what you want to achieve will influence whether this is a good option or not but generally most people including those I spoke to after at the networking said would probably look at other options before trying this...

olper · September 2012

Hey all, even I'm so interested to know such techniques..
Please post some more updates.

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FreeAppADay or Similar services, worth or not?

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