In 2008, when the Google Play store was launched, there were only a handful of apps available for users. However, with time, this demographic has changed. Now there are more than 15 million apps, including the one following different mobile app monetization models, which are available on the Android and iOS platforms.
Updated 12 January 2024
Director at Appventurez
In 2008, when the Google Play store was launched, there were only a handful of apps available for users. However, with time, this demographic has changed. Now there are more than 15 million apps, including the one following different mobile app monetization models, which are available on the Android and iOS platforms.
The app industry has grown at a monumental rate with several devices added to it such as Tablets, Smartphones, Wearables, Smartwatches, etc. To give you a better insight into the increase in mobile apps, here are the numbers as of the first quarter of 2020.
However, with the increase in the number of apps in the market, business owners and mobile app developers are now including the mobile app monetization model to generate some revenue. With this thought comes a struggle of choosing the best strategy to move forward with.
It is essential for businesses to go for the best monetization model that can hook loyal users, keep the product afloat, communicate with customers, and so on. So, what can be the best way to choose one of the best mobile app revenue models?
However, before understanding what app revenue models are, let us get an insight into what is app monetization and the essential strategies on which the model is implemented.
Before understanding the mobile app monetization model or top strategies, it is essential to know what app monetization is.
App monetization is a way to generate revenue via the mobile app converted from the users. However, it includes several models that can be easily integrated into the apps.
But some of these models depend upon the categories of the app whereas others work on the particular area of monetization. Hence, mobile app developers need to be aware of the ways to generate revenue.
However, with the changing mobile app economy, developers are facing an issue to keep their app afloat. Well, if you are not just planning to interact with customers, then it is best to know all about mobile app monetization, its importance, and the user experience. Since your user experience can help you to gain the trust of customers and as a result, can help you generate revenue.
But before going forward, we need to understand what types of apps are available in the market and how we can take advantage of them to earn money.
First things first, there are mainly two types of apps in the market that include monetization methods in different ways.
Now, that you know what is app monetization, this is the time to cover its essential aspects. The developers need to ensure that the users are installing the app which in turn can generate revenue. It is crucial to focus on:
The fact about the whole mobile app monetization model is developers just focus on generating revenue and avoid the user experience (many times). This ends up losing some potential users that can help in the long run.
Mobile app developers need to understand that a happy user means more revenue. When the app monetization strategy is implemented, it affects the user experience as well. It can be reduced or mitigated but it is going to affect the user experience that can even turn them off and switch to an alternative.
This is essential since the revenue is generally calculated as per the total number of active users. Hence, developers need to keep the users in mind while adding app monetization models.
Mobile apps are a great way for developers, designers to facilitate functions and essential services. Different types of apps are in the store. In addition to this, these apps can help developers and designers to generate revenue with the right monetization techniques.
The fact is that there are a number of the top mobile apps on iOS and Android platforms that are generating a good amount of revenue.
Here is the major mobile app monetization strategy that one must be aware of to pick up as per the app category.
The fact is that there are mobile apps that one can easily use by paying the upfront fees. The paid download apps are a great way to generate revenue. However, it is essential to keep the price as per the users to ensure that they can purchase it.
Next comes the free apps that follow several app monetization strategies since it increases the chance of getting the app downloaded by the users. Users don’t have to pay upfront money but it includes subscription, per feature fee, advertisement, and so on options available to generate revenue.
This gives more options to developers and business owners to generate more money as compared to paid apps. Here are the free mobile app monetization strategies that one must be aware of.
Advertisements or In-app Ads is one of the major mobile app monetization strategies that are used by mobile app developers. In this, the users get the ads while they are using the app. It can be the pop-up, video, or even the banner at the top or bottom of the screen.
However, if you are aware that the same size doesn’t fit all, then you need to know that it is true for the ads as well. The different ads work differently for the mobile app category.
However, to select the app ads, it is essential to be aware of:
Almost all the apps in the market work on ads due to their popularity and minimal effect on user experience. Here are different types of mobile app ads that users can select from.
These are the mobile app monetization strategies that work on a specific model to earn money by developing a mobile app. Users can subscribe to services such as Candy Crush Saga while they download the app. It allows users to install the app without any initial payment where they can access some of the features but they need to subscribe for the constant streaming.
It is one of the most famous monetization strategies for mobile apps that keep the user engaged to ensure that the developers can keep generating revenue. However, it is not that easy without the proper data. The user interacts with ads and generates the data that is then used by the developers to quantify the ads.
Consider it as the big data for the users to ensure that they can get the most appropriate services as per their choice. The motive is to generate revenue without interrupting the user experience.
It is a major type of app monetization strategy that allows developers to get some commission when the users make some transactions. This works best for invoicing, payment, and wallet apps. The more user engagement, the more will be the commission earned.
These are the types of mobile app monetization strategy that includes the selling of physical and virtual goods to generate money. It can be the virtual currency for the game, product, services, etc. that is purchased by the users and the developers get the amount. However, some percent of it goes to the App Store.
It is similar to the subscription strategy but the users don’t have to subscribe to it for regular streaming.
These are the major factors of how free apps make money, let us move to the models now to get a better understanding of how the amount is calculated.
If we talk in a bit detailed manner about the mobile app monetization model, then it is essential to be aware of the major models that include which the strategies are implemented.
If we talk about the mobile app developer then it is an essential lucrative form of the models that one must be aware of. These are mainly dependent on the advertisement monetization strategy. If the users take an action then it can easily use the formula to calculate the CPM.
This formula gives an insight into the earnings with the total earnings denoting the revenue value that a specific ad has generated and total impressions are the action over the campaign period.
In this model, when users take a specific action(s), only then the developer can earn revenue on the mobile ad. They can easily click on it to check the app or even install it, subscribe to a service, make an in-app purchase, and so on.
This mobile app monetization model works on the potential of the app that the user can take action on. It is to generate high revenue and a higher payout for the publishers. However, this model is not ideal due to the mobile ad fraud that can put the developers at risk.
This model is mixed with CPA and eCPM models since it also counts the actions of users on the mobile ad.
Here Total Ad Spend is the amount invested by the developers on the ads integrated into the mobile app and the number of clicks is the actions taken by the users. It attracts several users to click on the ads and delivers a better ROI. In addition to this, developers can easily analyze the behavior of users.
As for the cons, this mobile app monetization model doesn’t offer a better click-through ratio if the specific ad is not the best for the app. It will generate no profit for the developers and hence they won’t be able to build a financial pipeline or predict the revenue.
Don’t jump directly on the dollars when you have several things to take care of. This includes ensuring that the app is worth investing the money in. This includes a proper checklist that can ensure that developers can avoid any pitfalls in the development process.
Here is a small checklist that you need to keep in mind before diving into the best mobile app monetization strategies.
The major part of the mobile app monetization strategy is that one must be aware of the user demands. User research is extremely important to get an understanding of the mobile app user persona, their demand, and whether they will be willing to invest in an app.
To get a top-quality mobile app, it is essential to increase the user base and work on mobile app monetization strategies. The impression of the app on users determines how much they can invest in the app. It is essential to have a customer acquisition strategy for the marketing channels to increase the user base.
Apps must be unique otherwise the user will have no reason to be on the platform. There is a reason why people love to spend time on Candy Crush Saga so much it also supports social media integration. The app must be different to hook the users and make them pay some bucks for the app.
Competitors are another major factor that you must be aware of when it comes to the mobile app and its monetization models. The researchers or developers must include the potential of mobile monetization during the analyses that can be added. Hence, know what your competitors are doing, how they are including monetization in their apps, what are their opportunities, and how to generate revenue.
To understand it, the best thing is to go through the mobile app store optimization. It is a major part of the mobile app that will determine the working of the app and its marketing. The App Store works on major optimization strategies to ensure that the app is easily visible to the audience. The right keywords, description, screenshots, etc. hold a lot of importance when uploading an app.
The major part that you need to remember is that mobile app revenue models must not be left for the later part. If you need to generate revenue with mobile apps then make sure to implement the models during the launch of the app. However, make sure to choose the best mobile app monetization strategies to ensure that it is right for your app.
If the users are going to use the app then it is essential to include the features to maintain security and privacy. The users must be aware that the app is free then the developer or publisher is going to earn some bucks in some different ways.
Hence, it is best to keep them updated about the monetization method beforehand. Make sure to include it in the description so that the users know what they are signing up for. The users must be aware of the type of mobile app monetization strategies that are used to earn money to build trust. If the app is of top-notch quality then they will surely stick with it without worrying about the ads or small purchases.
This is another of the vital parts that must be added to the app monetization for the users. Here are the major aspects that one must keep in mind while including the monetization model in the app.
This is something that is mentioned again and again through the monetization model and strategy that makes it one of the important app monetization trends. This includes in-app ads that can not be a great addition for users.
We are a part of the user-oriented market and hence it is essential to make sure that user experience is best. The app monetization success is a pivotal point for the developers without affecting the user experience.
The users are not that happy if, in a free app, they have to purchase every feature. This is an essential part of the mobile app monetization strategy that can turn users down. Imagine if the users have to purchase the feature of sending messages, earning coins, going to the next stage, and so on.
The subscription and freemium apps are here as long as we can predict since they allow users to only purchase if they want to. They can decide after using the apps whether they want to include the features in their app or are fine with the limited features.
Hence, there is no need to go for paid apps that make users purchase to install it without giving them much choice. Hence, we can say that subscription and freemium models are here to stay whereas paid apps might not be a thing in the future.
As mentioned above the subscription model is a most famous mobile app monetization strategy that is here to stay for a long time. However, the users are more comfortable with it since they can use it before making the final purchase.
This works as the SaaS model that has a different pricing model as per the feature sets. The users can upgrade the model if they want to in the future.
The very first practice that is gaining huge momentum in the mobile market is white-label app monetization. It is empowering businesses to share their app code with other developers to reuse their elements and redesign their applications and get some revenue in return.
Another method of app monetization that is ruling the marketplace is purchasing merchandise. This implies, selling customized products about your app functionalities and features.
For example, Angry Birds sold plush toys of their characters to promote their application and drive higher revenue.
In 2019 and the coming years, AR and VR mobile app monetization trends will also become prominent. App developers and marketers will use these technologies to promote their businesses using customized/virtual ads. They will use real-time user data to understand the perfect time, place, and avatar, and make a profitable move.
Machine Learning and AI are also contributing as significant mobile app monetization trends to consider in the year 2019 and beyond. The technology will assist the mobile application development team in gaining comprehensive knowledge about their target audience and determining how much revenue can be generated from every individual. This will eventually help them to build more profitable In-App Advertising and In-App Purchase strategies.
Last but not least, app developers and businesses will focus more on how to increase user engagement on app and retention over the ways to improve user acquisition numbers. This is because an existing customer makes more purchases and spends more per visit when compared to new customers.
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Conclusion
The mobile app monetization model, strategy, and trends include several things that make the mobile app an enhanced version to grow. Remember the paid apps and free apps are just the above part of the mobile app.
Several things are added to the mobile app monetization options that are different for the app categories. Just don’t be overwhelmed with several monetization models and trends that have different pricing for each.
The more users download the app, the more will be the revenue for the publishers. Just plan and be prepared for it to get the best results.
Q. What are a few mobile ad providers that mobile app developers must be aware of?
Several ad providers can help a lot with mobile app monetization. To name a few: * Google AdMob * Facebook Audience Network * MoPub * Google Ad Manager
Q. How much can my app make?
The sum of money earned by the developers or owners depends upon the number of users on the app. Along with this, the type of mobile app revenue models and strategies also determine the total revenue that an app can generate.
Q. How do I monetize my app?
It is easy to monetize your app. The best thing to do is to go for the free app with the in-app purchase or advertisement models. Through this, the users can easily see what the app stores for them. However, apart from this, you can opt for paid apps, data monetization, and other mobile app monetization strategies.
Q. Why are free apps better than paid apps in terms of user experience?
When it comes to paid apps, the users have to purchase them to download, install, and use them. Due to this, there are several times when the app is not up to the market of the amount paid by the users and can compromise user experience. To overcome this, free apps are developers that allow users to see what the app stores for them and generate revenue with ads and freemium models. This can compromise the user experience but users prefer a few hitches if the app can suffice their demand.
Q. How to develop revenue-generating mobile apps?
While developing a mobile app, the user must be aware of the changes that they want to go through with including the mobile app monetization model. The developers must include the model during the launch only instead of adding it later on when the app is thriving in the market. The monetization model from day one gives stability in the market.
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Director at Appventurez
Director and one of the Co-founders at Appventurez, Chandrapal Singh has 10+ years of experience in iOS app development. He captains client coordination and product delivery management. He also prepares preemptive requisites and guides the team for any possible issues on a given project.
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