Of all the mistakes I’ve made as a newb app developer, this one is without a doubt the ABSOLUTE WORST….and it was such a simple mistake, but it really had a major effect on the launch of my apps.
When you upload your binary for review, you have to go onto the iTunes Connect portal and put in all your info on the apps.
One of the things you have to choose is the AVAILABILITY DATE.
So when I uploaded my first two apps (SLR Assignment Generator full and free versions) for review near the end of September, I figured well it will take a bit, so I put OCTOBER 20TH as the date and promptly forgot.
So both apps were approved, but I was in the process of uploading a third version, one specifically made for iPhoneographer and wanted to wait to launch them all together for maximum effect.
On October 20th, I was in the iTunes Connect module, and noticed it said I had a sale.
“What? How is that possible?” I ask myself.
That’s when I looked at the dates.
Oops. Both apps were LIVE on the app store, and 4 people in Australia, Japan, and Thailand had downloaded them.
CRAP!!!
So I promptly took them off. Once the iPhoneographer version was approved for sale, on October 31st, put them all on the store and launched them with an email and social media blitz.
So why did that October 20th date matter?
Well, even though I had removed them from the store less than 12 hours , when I put them back on, they had October 20th as the uploaded date. So that meant they wouldn’t show up near the top of the list when people searched by newest apps.
I contacted Apple iTunes Connect Support (who btw, are FANTASTIC from my experience dealing with them) but they explained to me there was nothing they could do as they could not change the upload date.
Now, what difference did this make? Well, like when school is cancelled but the weather is just fine, I’ll never know really what effect it had. But I would guess it would have helped to have people see it near the top of the new list. The way the App Store works, it’s kind of your one kick at the can. Unless you can get in the top 10, it’s hard to get noticed. I was fortunate to have the apps featured in the New and Noteworthy category on the Canadian App Store…but I really need the exposure across the world that I missed out on…just by not setting the date FAR ahead.
UPDATE: Well, Apple removed the browsing by NEW (and even ALL) function on the app store, so now the only way to be shown as NEW is if you are lucky enough to be chosen for it by Apple…good luck with that. You might also notice apps like Instagram and other old apps are featured there (Don’t ask me why)…
BUT! Releasing early by mistake or before you are ready for launch can result in getting a number of downloads that serve you better on your set launch date. It’s all about making a big splash on launch day.
So my newb app developer advice to you?
SET THE AVAILABILITY DATE A YEAR AHEAD!!!!
Depending on how complex you app is, how many features it has, and how many apps are being uploaded, it could take anywhere from a week to six months. So you can always change the date later when you are ready to launch.
but you can’t take it back when your apps launch too early…
Well, unless you are Superman.
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Noel Chenier
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Photographer and teacher
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