docs/html/distribute/essentials/best-practices/apps.jd

page.title=App Developer Best Practices
page.image=/distribute/images/gp-app-practices.png
page.metaDescription=Essential tips for launching successful apps in Google Play.
@jd:body

<div id="qv-wrapper"><div id="qv">
<h2>Best Practices</h2>
<ol>
<li><a href="#essentials">Get the Essentials Right</a></li>
<li><a href="#users">Get Users</a></li>
<li><a href="#engage">Engage and Retain</a></li>
<li><a href="#beyond">Beyond the Basics</a></li>
<li><a href="#related-resources">Related Resources</a></li>
</ol>
</div></div>

<p>The following best practices have enabled developers worldwide to build great, successful apps for Google Play.</p>

<div class="headerLine">
<h1 id="essentials">Get the Essentials Right</h1><hr>
</div>

<h3>1. Make it Android</h3>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    Build your apps to make best use of the unique Android features, such as
    <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/engage/widgets.html">widgets</a>, <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/engage/notifications.html">rich notifications</a>,
    <a href=
    "http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2012/02/share-with-intents.html">sharing
    through Intents</a>, and more.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Add the power of Google features your users already love, such as
    <a href="https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/">Google
    Maps</a>, <a href="https://developers.google.com/drive/">Google
    Drive</a>, and more, all with <a href=
    "https://developers.google.com/+/mobile/android/sign-in">single sign
    on</a>.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<h3>
  2. Make it quality
</h3>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    Make sure your apps follow the <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/quality/core.html">Core App Quality</a>
    guidelines.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Create apps that are available on all form factors and screen sizes, by
    following the <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/quality/tablets.html">Tablet App
    Quality</a> guidelines.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Test and <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/optimizing-your-app.html">optimize your
    quality</a> at every step and make use of the Google Play <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/developer-console.html#alpha-beta">beta-testing</a>
    and <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/developer-console.html#staged-rollouts">staged
    rollouts</a> features to test with users before launch.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<div class="headerLine">
  <h1 id="users">
  Get Users
  </h1>

  <hr>
</div>

<h3>
  1. Build buzz
</h3>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    Create a great <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/users/your-listing.html">app
    listing page</a> to showcase your apps and grab users’ attention. Don’t
    forget to include a <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/engage/video.html">YouTube video</a>.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/tools/launch-checklist.html">Launch</a> on
    multiple platforms simultaneously to maximize your reach.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Promote your apps with the official <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/badges.html">Google Play badge</a>
    and <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html">link to
    your products</a> on Google Play.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Build a community with social media, <a href=
    "http://groups.google.com/">forums</a>, and <a href=
    "http://plus.google.com">communities</a> to get and keep users talking.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<h3>
  2. Optimize for great ratings
</h3>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    Get to <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/users/know-your-user.html">know your
    users</a>, listen to and <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/engage/app-updates.html">update your apps</a> from
    their feedback.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Focus on your strength markets first, get these right before expanding.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<div class="headerLine">
  <h1 id="engage">
  Engage and Retain
  </h1>

  <hr>
</div>

<h3>
  1. Keep users coming back
</h3>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    Use <a href="{@docRoot}google/play/billing/index.html">Google Play In-app
    Billing</a> to offer subscriptions to extended features.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Hold competitions and offer promotions, then announce them through
    <a href="{@docRoot}design/patterns/notifications.html">notifications</a>.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<h3>
  2. Earn users’ love
</h3>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    <a href=
    "http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2013/05/all-google-play-developers-can-now.html">
    Respond to reviews</a> and get valuable feedback from the community
    you've built.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    <a href=
    "http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2013/10/improved-app-insight-by-linking-google.html">
    Measure</a> your campaigns to see what is driving users to install your
    apps.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/optimizing-your-app.html#measuring-analyzing-responding">
    Analyze in-app use</a> to steer content updates and prolong the life of
    your apps.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<div class="headerLine">
  <h1 id="beyond">
  Beyond the Basics
  </h1>

  <hr>
</div>

<ul>
  <li>
  <p>
    After you’ve launched in your market of strength, <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/users/expand-to-new-markets.html">expand into other
    markets</a> strategically and <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/localization-checklist.html">localize</a>
    your apps as you go.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Keep users engaged, and stay ahead of the competition, by continually
    <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/optimizing-your-app.html">optimizing
    your apps</a> to offer new and better features, or retire those that
    users aren’t using.
  </p>
  </li>

  <li>
  <p>
    Build educational apps: learn <a href=
    "{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/edu/start.html">how to make apps for
    Google Play for Education</a>.
  </p>
  </li>
</ul>

<div class="headerLine">
<h1 id="related-resources">Related Resources</h1><hr>
</div>

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