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Summary: A step-by-step guide to publishing an app on Google Play Store to target billions of Android users worldwide. Learn essential steps like creating a Google Play Console account, adhering to Play Store policies, and uploading the app.
Key Takeaways:-
Do you have a brilliant app idea but don’t know how to get it to billions of Android users? Publishing your app on the Google Play Store will turn your dream into reality.
According to Enterprise Apps Today, there were approximately 7.33 billion smartphone users in 2023, and about 3.6 billion of this population are Android users. Launching your app on the Google Play Store is a great way to reach these users.
However, it can also be a daunting task, but with the right guidance, you can publish your app successfully. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential steps to follow.
Let’s get started.
There are several benefits you will reap, including:
Get insights on evolving customer behaviour, high volume keywords, search trends, and more.
Here are the steps to follow to successfully publish an app on the Google Play Store.
You must create a Google developer account on the Google Play console and ensure you are at least 18. The developer also needs to pay a one-time registration fee of $25, payable using credit or debit cards:
Please note that prepaid cards are not acceptable, and remember that the developer account can take up to 48 hours to be created after submission.
You must sign in using a Gmail address, and you can select whether it’s an individual developer or an organization. Fill out all the required information correctly and proceed to the next steps.
If your app has in-app purchases, you must link your developer account to your Google merchant account. However, if you have an existing account, you can link it to the developer account, navigate to download reports, and select financial, once you have created the merchant account.
Once you have your merchant account ready, Google links it to your Google Play Console so you can monitor and manage your app sales.
Bonus Tip: Learn more about creative ways to increase your app downloads by 2X
Developers must ensure they test their apps on various Android devices and optimize performance and responsiveness. Google Developer policies indicate that the app must be developed and updated to adhere to the Play Store quality standards.
Therefore, ensure that you carefully read and understand all the policies and guidelines and that your app complies. This includes optimizing for functionality, intellectual property, content, privacy, legal requirements, spam prevention, and monetization.
Google may reject, block, or remove any apps that violate set policies, and repeated violations lead to account termination. Remember that Google updates its policies regularly, so it’s crucial to stay informed even after your app is live.
Before proceeding with the app uploading process, you must ensure that some critical checks are in order. Here are things to look out for:
When your file is ready to upload, you can begin this exciting step: creating an app in your developer’s account. Here’s how to get started.
1. Select “All Apps” on the left-hand side of the menu
2. Create on “Create app”
3. Select the default language of your application from the drop-down menu
4. Enter the app name, and consider the limit of 30 characters. The name will appear on the Google Play Store app.
5. Choose whether it’s an app or a game
Select whether the app is available for free or if users need to pay for it.
After ensuring that your app matches the Developer Program Policies and accepts export laws, click on “Create app”
These are the details that will appear to your customers, so it’s important to consult with your branding team. Once you click on Create App, Google Console takes you to a consolidated dashboard, where you must enter all the necessary details to set up your app.
Google Play Console requires the following information:
Once you fill in all the information, the next step is to add the app graphics, app category and privacy policy. Ensure that you have high-quality photos ready for this section. Here are the guidelines:
When editing your Play Store listing, you can save your progress as a draft and complete it at your own pace after ensuring that every piece of information is correct. Adding ASO backlinks at this stage can also boost visibility and drive more traffic to your app listing.
Until this stage, you have laid the groundwork for your app. It’s now time to upload your APK or app bundle.
1. Navigate the menu to “Release Management”
2. Click on the “App Release” tab
3. Select the type of release from four options: internal test ( which is available for up to 100 testers), close test(available to just a specific number of testers), production release(available to Play Store users in countries you choose) and open test(available to Google Playtesters).
4. Depending on your decision on the release type, click “Create Release.”
5. Google Console redirects you to the production page, and you choose whether you want to Opt-in or Opt-out
6. Select “Browse Files” and upload your app or app bundle to the Google Play Store. Name and describe your release using the instructions provided.
7. Click on the review to confirm information, and once you confirm that everything is in order, press “Save”
It would be best if you avoided the risk of having an unlabeled app, as this can lead to the removal of your application. Therefore, ensure that you fill in the rating questionnaire accurately. To add the content rating, here’s what to do:
1. Navigate to the main dashboard
2. Head to “Set up your app” and select content rating option
3. Navigate to “Start Questionnaire” to get started
4. Enter the required basic information about your app in the three sub-sections: categories, questionnaire and summary. In the categories section, enter your email address and your app category. Once you have filled in all the information, complete the Google questionnaire to help users understand your app and, finally, the summary.
5. Hit” submit” to apply all changes
You must be clear on which countries the app is available in, as Google doesn’t support publishing an app for all regions. Similarly, you must assign a price to the app and make sure that the decision is final. Google doesn’t allow you to convert a free app to a paid one, but you can change the price of an app when necessary.
Here’s how to go about pricing and distribution:
1. Navigate the menu and click on Pricing and Distribution on the left-hand side of the menu
2. Choose whether the app is “Free or Paid.”
3. Select the countries that Google will release your app
4. Confirm the ages eligible to use the app; fill in “Yes” for Primary child-detect- under 13 years and “No “if otherwise
5. Select options for allowing ads into your app
This is the final stage! Once you confirm that all the details you entered are okay:
1. Head back to the “App Release” tab
2. Select “Manage Production” and then “Edit Release”
3. Click on “Review” and select the “Start rollout production” option
4. Select” Confirm,” and you have successfully uploaded your app to the Google Play Store
5. Now, wait for Google to approve your application, which can take hours or days. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure you adhere to all the set guidelines and policies to make the approval process swift. Similarly, be prepared for successful publishing and make any necessary revisions.
Additional Read: We have covered the information on App Store Optimization guide to Attract the Right Customers
To get your app featured on the Play Store, focus on high-quality design, smooth user experience, and strong performance. Follow Google’s app quality guidelines, optimize your Play Store listing with great visuals and keywords, and maintain high user ratings.
Regular updates, quick bug fixes, and engaging features improve your chances. Promote your app through marketing and encourage user engagement. The more downloads and positive reviews your app gets, the better its chances of getting featured.
Once your app is live on the Play Store, follow these essential steps to maximize its success:
With this comprehensive guide, we hope you know how to publish an app on the Google Play Store.
Remember that publishing an app is just the beginning of a thriving presence on the Play Store or online. The secret to long-term success lies in regularly monitoring the app’s performance, addressing user feedback, and providing regular updates on the app. For an app to attract audience attention, it needs to be on top of the search engine.
We keep sharing app store optimization tips through our blog posts and articles. Stay tuned.
Here are the simple steps that you should follow
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