Digital marketing has developed rapidly in recent years. To keep up, businesses must stay close to current trends. If you think building a website alone is enough, it will be difficult to stand out.
A website is the foundation, while a mobile app can become your stepping stone. A website lets visitors arrive through search engines, while a mobile app can be downloaded to a phone and stay close to potential customers, making it easier for users to open and use anytime. App development is not simple. This time, technine introduces the process and key points for publishing a mobile app on the two major platforms.
Mobile app download channels are mainly Google Play and the App Store, corresponding to Android and iOS. Some people think Android publishing is more complicated because iOS only applies to iPhone and iPad, while Android covers many brands such as Sony and Samsung. In reality, App Store review is usually more complex and strict.
Steps for Publishing on the App Store
First, you need to apply for an Apple ID, then use it to create an app in App Store Connect.
Apple developer accounts can be divided into three types: individual, company and enterprise. Each has different fees and requirements. Company and enterprise accounts require a D-U-N-S Number, which is used for company identification and business information. Note that application failures cannot exceed three times.
In 2020, the App Store publishing fee was about USD 99 per year. Payment only accepted Visa or MasterCard credit cards, not third-party payment tools such as PayPal.
Next, you enter the mobile app name. This is the name displayed in the App Store, with a maximum of 30 characters, and it cannot duplicate another app name.
You then set the primary language and Bundle ID. The Bundle ID is used for identification and must be unique. After that, you set other details on the App Information page, such as the app subtitle and category.
The next step is pricing. The app can be free or paid, but consumers can request refunds within 90 days. If you want to make it a paid app, you must first set up bank account information in the Agreements, Tax and Banking section of App Store Connect.
You also need to set the countries where the app will be available, excluding any countries where you do not want to publish it. Then upload images or videos to attract users to download the app. Up to 10 images can be uploaded, in JPG or PNG format.
Keyword setup is also important. Good keywords can significantly increase the chance of an app being found. If keywords do not meet App Store requirements, the app may be rejected.
Like other media, apps need ratings. During the rating step, you select the relevant categories from a list. You should also set copyright information to declare app ownership.
Finally, you provide contact information. When App Store reviews your app, it will contact you using the information provided.
If you think the work is complete at this point, it is not. Before submission, you must pass real-device testing. If the app contains many bugs, the review will be rejected. Even if review is approved, the work is not finished. If bugs appear after launch, they must be fixed quickly because App Store may remove apps with too many bugs.
There are two common rejection terms during testing: Binary Rejected and Metadata Rejected. Binary Rejected requires a new upload, while Metadata Rejected only requires information changes and does not require uploading the app again. After testing succeeds, the app can be submitted for review. The review period is usually within 14 working days. If any issues arise during the process, you can contact App Store, but communication must be in English.
Translation supported by AI.