Every iPhone developer dreams of making that #1 selling AppStore app and some make it, but to be quite frank this is so rarely the case.  Alot of developers make a masterpiece (or something not even close to it) just to realize one say every few days, it’s discouraging. So what to do to recover from lack luster sales? Well a few developers with success stories and a marketers have shared their stories below to help those apps that just can’t seem to not do well in the AppStore see another light of day. Hey, maybe a tip or two will help your app recover!

Alan Ringvald shares his story:

Our iNDA app lets users create and sign custom non-disclosure agreements. We launched this app in November of last year for $4.99, but barely got our friends to download it! Then, in mid-april, we decided to make the app free to hopefully get more exposure. Within a day of making the app free, we received over 1,000 downloads and reached the #25 free business app in the US in April 2010 and the top 100 free business app in 18 countries. Now with this new exposure, we have lots of legal and online signature companies interested in acquiring the app.

Craig of Caruso Apps:
After a hurtful winter of only making $4.80 in December, I set on a quest to promote my app. I read a lot of blogs and made my own recovery plan during this time. I lowered my app to 99 cents from the $1.99 it was originally selling for and made user suggested changes to improve the quality of the app. After these changes were made I saw a slight increase but was still not happy. During March I made my own Twitter account for iLineup (twitter.com/iLineup). Since my app is baseball focused I decided to use hashtagging – a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets.

By using #baseball, #coaches, #softball, #fielding and some other tags I saw a huge growth in my app. I think the start of the 2010 MLB season really helped me kick off my sales. The hashtag of my app was looked at by a local minor league baseball team and I worked with them at an event in June.
My advice to all developers is, if your app is sports driven, release it before the season starts and not in the middle since you will only make half the profit. If you start ahead of the game, you’re bound to win!

151 Ventures , a  marketing and sales consulting firm that helps mobile software companies and application developers take their products to market and drive sales and revenue points out a few things that will help developers increase visibility, make their apps more discoverable, and increase downloads/purchases.

1. PAY ATTENTION TO REVIEWS AND RATINGS AND ADDRESS ANY COMMON BUGS MENTIONED

iTunes is not a beta testing ground and you should ideally fix any and all bugs prior to launch. Consumers will get your apps and leave public reviews and feedback with problems they have and bad reviews can hurt ratings and downloads/sales. If you’ve already launched, fix the bug and revise the top of the description letting people know that the issues have been resolved. Also, responding to user feedback with an update shows your user base that they matter and that you listen to their feedback, which can often result in them changing negative ratings and fosters better responses from new, prospective users.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CATEGORY AND/OR CHANGE CATEGORIES IF YOU NEED TO.

The “most relevant” category is not always the best one, especially if it’s a crowded category. Figure out the best combination of category relevancy and visibility, so your app has a better chance of getting into the “Top Listed” apps for that category.

3. ADD A “LITE” OR “PREMIUM” VERSION.

In iTunes, you can’t have the same app in more than one category. But you can have similar apps in different categories, so add/remove a feature of your app and create a new “lite” or “premium” version of it in another area of the store to maximize your reach and visibility across iTunes.

4. REVISE PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS WITH RELEVANT KEYWORDS AND WRITING STYLE

Make sure that your product descriptions are in a writing style that appeals to your target audience. In many cases, this is not a laundry list of product features or technical functionality but a highlight of key features AND benefits to the end user. Also, make sure that the description includes relevant keywords based on the type of product you have, the category and potentially even competitive products. You can find these keywords by seeing the auto-suggested searches in the iTunes search box, by looking at popular competitive apps, or even doing a Google search on your product type.

5. CHANGE THE PRICE AND TEST DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS

A lot of times app pricing and consumer valuation just don’t match up. That’s why you need to adjust pricing and see what price point drives the most total revenue. Remember that getting a lot of users at a lower price point, can be much more lucrative than fewer users at a high price point, or vice versa. It is crucial to test different price points so you can see the market response and adjust your strategy and pricing accordingly.

If you are developer or even a iPhone, iPod , or iPad app user, what are some tips you would add?

Some other iPhone posts you may enjoy:

• November 25, 2009 -- iPhone AppStore Cyber Monday Sales
• November 9, 2009 -- Apple at 100,000 apps, who are the losers? – Part 2
• October 15, 2009 -- In App Purchase Now Available for Free Apps
• May 20, 2010 -- iPhone Sales Up in First Quarter 2010
• March 24, 2010 -- Didn’t consider the iPhone a Gaming Device? Think Again.

Everyone likes a deal and there are no deals comparable to the infamous deals of Cyber Friday and Cyber Monday. So we hunted around for the best Cyber Monday deals of the AppStore and here they are…

Got2Go

Got2Go is a fun, “anti”-social iPhone application where you can mix and match messages, senders, and timers, for almost 200 different solutions when you need the perfect exit plan.  Choose text message, calendar reminder or missed call + voice to set up your perfect excuse in under 10 seconds.

Original Price of App: $1.99
Cyber Monday Price of App: $0.99

Cram

Cram is a study app that uses flashcards and multiple-choice tests to help you study for any subject matter. You can download tests from friends and other Cram users and study their test material.

Original Price of App: $9.99
Cyber Monday Price of App: $2.99

Classifieds Pro

Read and post classifieds to the top sites.  Instead of using multiple apps, use Classifieds Pro to for Craigslist, eBay, EPage, Oodle, and more.

Original Price of App: $2.99
Cyber Monday Price of App: $0.99

Karaoke Anywhere

Karaoke Anywhere is the world’s first iPhone Karaoke player with support for CDG, the industry standard format, and gives users the full experience of Karaoke without requiring expensive equipment or going to a crowded Karaoke bar. Version 2.0 will be out shortly with the ability to purchase Karaoke Tracks via the in-application store.

Original Price: $2.99
Cyber Monday Price: $.99

Note: Version 2.0 is currently in review with Apple, and may actually be available prior to Cyber Monday.

Craigs+ LA

Browse and post to Craigslist LA. Includes EPage, Oodle, and iClassifieds as well.

Original Price of App: $0.99
Cyber Monday Price of App: Free

Noter2

Same notes on every system. Store unlimited number of notes and lists then sync them between your work, home and iPhone. Keep your life fully organized.  Noter2 Desktop Web application is included at no additional cost!

Some other iPhone posts you may enjoy:

• July 15, 2010 -- Reviving Dismal iPhone App Sales
• July 26, 2010 -- App Mention: Task Manager for iPhone – Dejumble
• May 20, 2010 -- iPhone Sales Up in First Quarter 2010
• May 18, 2010 -- Quick-Tip: Quicker Caplocking on the iPhone and iPod
• March 24, 2010 -- Didn’t consider the iPhone a Gaming Device? Think Again.

If you missed the first part of this article here it is, Apple at 100,000 app, who are the winners.  And now on to the losers…

#1 – RIM – The Makers of the BlackBerry

Well this a sad one, because the I actually thought at one time that the BlackBerry was a very nice smartphone and then the iPhone came out. It was reported yesterday that the iPhone has achieved 30% of the market share versus BlackBerry’s 40% market share. Though the iPhone still has a smaller market share, Apple has gained this market share in much less time and reports released every quarter confirm that the iPhone continues to gain huge market share.

#2 – The Windows Marketplace/Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile phones have been out for ages (six years to be exact) and the general consumer probably couldn’t even tell you that Microsoft had a phone. Well, that’s not going to get any better for Windows with BlackBerry and Palm competing to keep their market and Microsoft’s head honcho Balmer has confirmed in many times that they will not be releasing a new Windows mobile phone anytime soon, so we will wait and see how far down the Windows Mobile market share will drop until it exists no more.

#3 – The Developers

For some developers their app would be politely considered a big commercial miss. At the launch of the AppStore, it was reportedly much easier to get in the top 100 list, as there were only so many apps, now not even 11,000 sales a day canget you in the top 100.  Some app sales were so unflattering that a few developers just gave up. There are other app developers that feel they put too little or too much in their app and are starting over. So it’s not great news to developers that there are even more competitors in the store. Trying to get in the top 100 list of the AppStore only means that your marketing and app are pure genius – and most likely featured somehow  by Apple, whether it’s through their highly effective television campaigns, group app lists, or Staff Pick.

#4 – The iPhone Users

I know I listed the iPhone users twice, but it was for good reason. Besides wonderful websites like The iPhone Website, it will nearly be impossible to find apps as more apps are accepted into the store, especially within the AppStore itself. Once apps get in the top 25 to 100 apps in their category that’s all you are going to see for a while and it just turns into a list of apps you’ve seen before, have, hate, or just don’t want.

It’s been rumored that Apple will release a “Premium AppStore” featuring apps from developers with higher priced apps like EA Games, but before you know it that will be full as well, so only time can tell.

#5 – The “Dumb Phone”

Even my technically challenged mother asks how she can get “neat things” on her phone like the things on the iPhone , I can only laugh and know that the dumb phones are in deep trouble. What used to be sufficient enough functionality for a phone (a phone call and voicemail, lol) just is no more. Of course, as all things, today’s smartphone will soon be tommorrow’s dumb phone but in these most recent years the technology in phones has taken a big leap.

Some other iPhone posts you may enjoy:

• July 15, 2010 -- Reviving Dismal iPhone App Sales
• October 28, 2009 -- AppStore at 100,000 apps, who are the winners? – Part 1
• October 15, 2009 -- In App Purchase Now Available for Free Apps
• June 22, 2010 -- iPhone 4 Unboxings
• June 9, 2010 -- WWDC 2010 Apple Design Award Winners

Some big , yet totally expected news -  the Apple AppStore has reached 100k apps ( to be exact over 101k, but who is counting ) It will just be a matter of time when we will be discussing the 500k and million mark. Until then, who are the losers and winners of the AppStore’s success. Let’s start on a positive note with the winners.

The Winners…

#1 – Apple…of course

The sales just keep coming for Apple. It has just been rumored that they’ve increased production of the iPhone by 20% for the holiday season. The best part is Apple has billionw in cash (yes, that’s a B no typo) and has recently reported their most profitable quarter EVER! Go Apple.

#2 – The Developers

There are plenty of stories about the one man shops hitting it big in the AppStore and I can guarantee we will hear more.  Some AppStore developers have had the opportunity to quit their day jobs, go buy some Bimmers, and the chance to  develop more successful apps. The AppStore has even given large companies another avenue  to introduce themselves to a different audience and grow sales.

#3 – The iPhone Users

There have been some great apps introduced to us by developers and honestly, some that weren’t -  but we continue to enjoy them all. I find the iPhone users getting more comfortable with their iPhones, blaming the developers less for the issues of the device, and apps becoming better because of the feedback from the iPhone users and this will help everyone continue to win on “Team iPhone”. Even better is that the iPhone has received high marks for customer satisfaction compared to other devices and I’m sure the future iPhone features will be sure to please current and future iPhone users.

#4 – AT&T

Nothing else can match that horrendous AT&T iPhone exclusivity. It was a Twitter trend when the initial news launched and it wasn’t pretty. The best part about it all is that their U.S. iPhone exclusivity is not over until 2010. It’s ok, Verizon says that they await the iPhone, but the ‘ball is in Apple’s court’. Though AT&T is the number two provider in the U.S. , they would have NEVER won that many subscribers without Apple’s iPhone. They have many issues with their reputation and customer service and have continued to offer poor service and limited basic features -  i.e. the late coming of MMS.

#5 – The Entire Smartphone Market

Apple put consumers at ease when even discussing the smartphone topic. The many discussions with consumers about the iPhone, it’s apps, and ease of use has really made the transition of those using “dumb phones” a lot easier to smartphones. Even though BlackBerry and others have lost market share, the smartphone market as a whole will inevitably win.

Well…Until part 2 guys!

Some other iPhone posts you may enjoy:

• July 15, 2010 -- Reviving Dismal iPhone App Sales
• June 8, 2010 -- Apple’s New iOS 4
• May 24, 2010 -- More Leaked Pics of the New iPhone 4G & iPod w/Cam
• January 27, 2010 -- Why the Apple Event Disappointed Us
• January 26, 2010 -- Taking Inventory of Apple Rumors