How developers can sell their App outside the App Store --
The excitement of selling apps quickly fades once developers learn that stores like Google Play and Apple Store take a chunk of the earnings.
The price isn't a modest chunk--it's 30 percent. This price is a huge burden and has forced developers searching for alternatives methods. The good news for those who are like you is that there is a way to market the app with no need to split the profits with the mainstream media.
In this article, we are going to cover one way that developers can circumnavigate the hefty 30 percent fee charged by Google Play and Apple Store.
Let's take a dive.
Pros and Cons of using Mainstream App Distribution Channels
Before we dive into other methods of distribution, let's take a review of how mainstream app channels work.
We've previously mentioned that these Google Play and Apple Store make up nearly a third of the earnings of any application sold on their platforms. This isn't the sole issue that comes with selling through these channels.
Most apps on the market are using these distributors to sell their products. There are a lot of apps distributed through just two sites. The issue is: how do distributors make their applications stand out?
Aha! Through advertising, naturally.
In addition to the fee of 30, distributors are also paying for advertisements to make their apps seen. A study of one case showed the real cost of app advertising. The company took a $10k budget and divided it among four different ad networks:
- Google AdWords
- Facebook Ads
- Twitter Ads
- Ads from iAds
The cost per application installed ranged from $1.43 up to $5.36.
When we consider adding this expense in addition to the distribution fees that are common and the distribution fee, we can see why developers are searching for alternatives. Many of the top downloaded apps, including Spotify and Netflix are available through Play and the App Store. But rather than having the distributor take care of charging, the apps have designed their own systems for subscriptions.
And companies such as Epic Games have taken matters into their own hands and released the world-famous game Fortnite accessible to download from their site and in the Samsung Store. In doing this they've avoided the hefty 30% fee from the mainstream distributors.
Other advantages for selling outside of Google Play and Apple Store are:
- Alternative distributors typically do not require a listing fee. App stores that are third party can help promote your product better as you have a better likelihood of appearing as one of their apps for the day or in other promotions
- Alternatives make more money over Google or Apple stores if app owners are offering localized apps that target specific countries
However, there are upsides to distributing apps through Google Play and Apple Store. The stores are not only trusted by customers as secure download locations and install apps, but they are also simple to distribute apps via these channels.
Spotlight: How One Developer Makes Money Selling Outside the Big App Stores
The moment Christian Tietze started selling his products online, he wanted to make cash and greater control.
Tietze shared his experience in a blog on his blog. Tietze found a number of issues when selling through the Mac App Store, including:
- 30percent revenue cost (excluding VAT)
- You can't provide a demo
- You can't provide upgrade pricing
- It's impossible to get to know the people who are your customers
He began to look for ways to sell outside of his Mac App Store.
"Distributing through using the App Store is convenient; everyone can see your product as well as download and update it from one central place," Tietze says.
"On the negative side the other hand, you'll lose money with each transaction, you're bound to the strictly enforced App Store Sandboxing policy, you cannot create special deals - and, if Apple shuts down your account, your business is effectively ended.
"This does not happen very often, however it could be a possibility."
Tietze claims that he (and numerous other independent developers) are distributing their apps on their own platforms. He uses to distribute his app. The platform allows him to provide bundled discounts, sales and an API for a customized store.
" offers a test storefront on the web and from within the application when you make in-app purchases. That's very convenient to see the functionality of your checkout and if your app transitions between "locked" and then "paid," he declares.
The Wrapping Up
When it comes to apps and distribution options to developers, it's obvious that things are evolving.
At one time, the two principal participants in the game of apps, Google Play and Apple Store had all the chips. If developers were looking to give their app a shot at success, they had only one option: distribute their app across the two platforms and pay the 30 percent fee.
But, app developers are now returning control over their apps and revenue streams.
If you decide to use a full-service partner like to sell your apps directly from your website, or sell them through other app stores, there are other options that you can use to sell your goods. Whether you want to reach people in difficult-to-reach areas, distribute your app internally and offer it to customers as a one-click download, the options are endless.
Remember the fact that Google Play and Apple Store are a hit because millions of consumers around the world are awestruck by their services. But with the number of apps being downloaded through other distribution options every each day, you can see that consumers are flexible in discovering the best apps for them.
It is possible to see how simple to turn your web site into a retail store by using examples. Using the examples, you are able to create a variety of dummy stores to test the waters at the tools capabilities using store builders. Store Builder API. These examples provide links or documentation pages and CodePen-like demonstrations of source code.