Remember the old “There’s an App for That” campaign? That was more than a decade ago, and it’s more true now than it was then. For almost anything you can imagine, there is, indeed, an app.

Unfortunately for publishers who want to maximize their app revenue, there’s no app for that - at least not one that works. There is a platform, though. It’s Playwire’s App Revenue Amplification Managed by Professionals platform, your one-stop mobile app monetization solution.

But before you’re ready to go all-in with app monetization, you probably have some questions. Our team of app revenue experts has the answers. Below, we have compiled some questions you need to ask and answer before you embark on your app monetization journey.

Playwire wrote the book on mobile app monetization. It’s actually more of an in-depth guide, but it’s required reading for publishers who want their apps to bring in more revenue. Get it for free here.

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App Monetization Guide

Read the guide to learn everything there is to know about monetizing your app

Is Your Audience Willing to Pay for any Aspect of Your App?

If your app is bringing in revenue, that revenue has to come from somewhere. Is it coming directly from your users, though?

This is an essential question to answer before you start monetizing your app because it will drive your strategy from start to finish, starting with the question of whether your app will be free to download. Most apps are free to download, but those that are not free tend to offer something unique that users are willing to pay for - a tool, exclusive content or access to premium features.

Beyond the free vs. paid download question, you need to decide whether your audience is likely to shell out any cash for in-app purchases. Would users be interested in paying for an ad-free experience? Could you sell digital currency or branded merchandise within the app? 

If the answer is yes, then great - you have at least one mobile app monetization strategy. If the answer is no, then you need to consider offering your app for free and generating revenue through means that don’t rely on users buying anything, such as ads or data monetization.

How Much Does App UX Matter to You?

In the app world, the perfect user experience (UX) probably would involve no interruptions or distractions from any commercial activity, like ads or tactics meant to encourage in-app sales. In other words, almost by definition, monetizing your app is going to detract a little from UX.

Of course, certain app monetization strategies are worse for UX than others. Full-screen ad takeovers interrupt UX more than a little banner ad at the top of the screen. To narrow down your possible monetization strategies, you need to decide how much you and your audience care about UX, and where you can strategically place ads to enhance (or at least not detract from) user experience.

It has to be a balance between your preferences and those of your audience. If you harm UX too much, you risk losing a large portion of your users (and a portion of your revenue as a result). If you lean too much in the other direction, you’ll struggle to keep the lights on.

Do You Have Access to an App Audience That is Valuable to Advertisers?

Think about your audience for a moment. If you have demographic data, review it. Who uses your app? And do your audience demographics add value to your ad inventory or data that could increase your revenue?

If your app reaches an audience that advertisers also want to reach, you may be sitting on a goldmine. For example, if you have a mobile game with a fanbase of die-hard first-person shooter enthusiasts, any first-person shooter game is likely to pay top dollar for your ad inventory.

Similarly, the data your users generate while using your app could be extremely valuable. Third-party data gathering methods are waning rapidly, but first-party data - the kind you can gather about your users when they use your app - is becoming more valuable to companies and advertisers. If you have a wealth of first-party data, you may be able to monetize it by selling it to advertisers and companies.

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Letterboxd App Case Study

Learn how Letterboxd increased year-over-year app revenue by 2,433% using Playwire's RAMP for app platform.

Which Mobile App Monetization Strategy is Likely to Appeal Most to Your User Base?

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in mobile app monetization that you forget about your audience. That’s a mistake. You always need to think about how your monetization efforts will affect your users, and this goes beyond UX concerns. Think about ways you can add value to your app while also monetizing it.

For example, if you publish content that your users love and can’t get anywhere else, an app subscription model might appeal to your platform’s exclusivity. Or consider hardcore gamers who play your mobile game. As gamers, they might actually appreciate interstitial video ads or even playable ads that advertise other mobile games.

Which Mobile App Monetization Method Will Yield the Most Revenue?

This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to understand that the mobile app monetization strategy that might bring in the most revenue might not align with your brand or audience.

If you already have a huge base of users, in-app advertising might be the best way to bring in scalable revenue. If you have a small but dedicated user base, subscriptions or paid app downloads could offer the most revenue. Ultimately, you have to strike a balance between maximizing revenue and preserving your user base.

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Can You Blend App Monetization Strategies?

There’s no law saying you have to pick a single mobile app monetization strategy to generate revenue. So, look for opportunities to strategically use multiple strategies together to create an even greater yield.

The most common example of this is a blend of monetization through ads and a paid subscription. Essentially the free version of your app can include app ads, while you simultaneously offer a subscription fee for the premium version of your app that has no ads.

Got Mobile App Monetization Questions? Playwire Has Answers

App revenue is on track to reach nearly $1 trillion by 2023. If you want a piece of that, mobile app monetization can’t wait. Ask yourself the questions that will guide your app monetization strategy, and reach out to Playwire to get started.

To contact our app revenue amplification team, contact us online or give us a call at 1-561-206-4621.

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