The 4 Steps To Launch Your App
- App Design – Your app name, tagline, icon and other brand elements.
- Upload Content – The minimum amount of content that we require to meet the app approval process for Google and Apple.
- App Store Info – Your app listing information for the app stores. Description of the app, categories, search words, privacy policy.
- Developer Accounts – To have your app in the Google and Apple app stores, you must have a Developer Account with them. We help you set this up.
Getting Started
We have created an entire onboarding wizard to help you easily and readily get started in creating your branded app with us, through the creator portal, that will also help show you how easy it is to add content to your app.
Before you start into that wizard though, we highly recommend you take the following initial steps to streamline your entire setup process.
1. Get a D-U-N-S Number (DUNS Number).
Get a DUNS Number if you do not already have one (https://www.dnb.com/en-us/smb/duns/get-a-duns.html). A DUNS Number is required for your Developer Accounts later. This process is often FREE but can take some time, so start early.
NOTE: You cannot use a D-U-N-S Number that is connected to a nonprofit.
2. Own a domain for your app/business
During the Developer Account step you will need to verify a website connected to your business name (Connected to your D-U-N-S Number). It's advisable to use a domain name that clearly reflects your registered business name. If you do not own a domain name, you will need to purchase a domain name. You can do that using a service like GoDaddy or by using any other domain provider service.
3. Research your app name for conflicts with other apps or trademarks
You will need to ensure your app name of choice is not already in use on the Apple app store or Google Play store, as well as that the trademark for your app name isn't already in use. If you fail to do so and a rebrand is required, you will need to commission new services so that your brand name and designs are uniform.
Pro-Tip: You can easily search for Trademarks using the USPTO trademark database search tool here: https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/search/search-information
4. Add your domain to your App Website (optional)
If you don’t have a live website for the web verification step of your Developer Account, we’ll use your App Website instead. This will require setting up a custom domain attached to your App Website which we do with you free of charge. If you will need this, please book your call here (https://www.actionera.co/resources/449841c5-319e-437f-919a-dd01f0c42808)
FAQ
Q. Does having a DUNS Number apply if I do not live in the United States?
A. Yes. You will need one regardless of where you live, though you may have to find the appropriate website for your country.
App Design
Once you have completed, or at least initiated, the Getting Started section, you can move onto the onboarding wizard by logging into the creator portal.
Action Required: Fill out the fields in the APP DESIGN area of the Wizard and submit the information. Whichever option you choose, our design team will reach out to you so we can finalize your app design. Just that you get a more hands on experience if you choose custom.
During this step you will need to decide if you will provide your own app icon or pay our designer for a fully custom designed one.
NOTE: There is an additional cost for a completely custom app logo and branding, if you choose this option it will cost ~$100-150 extra.
FAQ
Q. What if I have a logo for my business already?
A. You need to have the design files for that logo, and they need to meet the specifications we mention in this section of the wizard. If they do, you can upload your logo to the image drop field.
Q. What if I don’t know anything about design and don’t have a logo?
A. Then we recommend you pay the fee to have our designer do the work for you. You get a professional design for a nominal fee and won’t have to fill out the majority of the design fields.
Upload Content
Once your design is locked in you will start the process of uploading your content to your app. The wizard makes this very easy for you and will give you examples of what your content will look like inside the app when everything is uploaded.
Once all content has been added, click the SUBMIT button and if the content reads 100%, you are done. Our team will be notified and review your content. In the meantime, you will move-on to the next section.
FAQ
Q. Is all the content required?
A. Yes. All requested content is required. The numbers next to each item show how many of that type are needed.
Q. How do I add my content?
A. Clicking the [ADD ITEM] button opens a pop-out menu with detailed instructions and fields for that content type. To close the Pop-out Menu: click Save at the bottom or cancel. You can also press Escape or the X in the upper right corner.
Q. How come ‘Home’ is the only one with an [ADD ITEM] button?
A. You must add your ‘Home’ content to unlock ‘Topics.’ Once you add your 3 Topics, all the rest of the content unlocks and you can go in any order you want.
Q. When do I add paid products and services?
A. For your initial content, there can be no mention of paid products or services—everything is FREE. Paid content may be added after the app goes live.
Q. I keep getting this message, “There was an error processing your request. There was a conflict in the submitted data.”
A. You are very likely trying to submit content with the same title or name as some other content you already submitted. Try changing the name slightly.
App Store Info
Once your content has been added to your app, we start the process of getting your information together to get your app into the app store.
The longest step here is to determine what you believe will be the best keywords to use to make your app discoverable in the app store.
To do this, we recommend you navigate to Google Trends (https://trends.google.com/trends/) and type in keywords that you feel most represent your app to see how they stack up to the words people use when searching for things. Pick ~10 keywords.
Once you have filled out all 3 areas in the App Store Info section, you will be able to submit. Our team will review your content, in the meantime, you can move onto Developer Accounts
You will also prepare your Privacy Policy now.
If you don't have a privacy policy already, you will need one in order to complete the web verification step of your Developer Account. You can use your own if you have one, or you can use our template to get started.
To complete our template Click Here to open the document in your browser
You will have the choice to use an OpenOffice, or Word Specific file, but if you're unsure you can open the Default File
Once open, Select File > Download > and the file format of your choice (if you want to do the edits online through Google Docs, do File > Make a copy)
Once you have the file on your computer, open it to edit and then carefully read the entire document and replace all RED text with what the text is describing. (eg. Change APP NAME to the name of your app)
Once completed, be sure to save your copy in a safe place you know how to easily retrieve for later.
FAQ
Q. There are two fields for app description. How long should each description be?
A. Write out your full-length app description first. Should be only about 2-3 paragraphs long. From that, create a condensed version that cannot be longer than 30 characters.
Developer Accounts
Great job making it this far as we are now on the last step of the "Launch Your App" onboarding wizard.
In order to add your app to the app store we must do so through a developer account associated with you and your business.
This step is completed by scheduling a private Zoom call with a trained professional who will help you set up your Accounts. Read and do everything below BEFORE you schedule that call.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will need to make a payment to Apple and a separate payment to Google to create your accounts. Pricing may fluctuate, so plan for approximately $125-$250 for both.
You may need to provide information to verify your ID and address and you will need to have a D-U-N-S Number at this point.
WHAT ARE DEVELOPER ACCOUNTS?
To have your app available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, you need Developer Accounts. This process can be complex and easy to do incorrectly, so we'll guide you through it on a Zoom call.
WHAT IF I HAVE DEVELOPER ACCOUNTS?
Even if you already have accounts, we need a Zoom call to confirm and gather information. (If you have Accounts already, confirm you know your login details and can get into them.)
The login for Apple is: developer.apple.com/account
The login for Google is: play.google.com/console
CAN I SET UP MY DEVELOPER ACCOUNTS BY MYSELF?
Yes! But if you do it incorrectly or run into trouble, we will not be able to help you navigate your way out of it. You will need to use the support resources made available by each of these major corporations to figure out how to create these accounts.
We recommend creating an Sole-Proprietor/Individual account for Apple
For Google you must use a Business Developer Account; we also highly recommend using an email address ending in @gmail.com to prevent losing your account accidentally in the future.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE?
The phone(s) connected to your Apple ID and Gmail Account
A Credit Card (back-up card may be a good idea too)
Valid Driver's License (photos of front and back with all 4-corners visible)
Your Business D-U-N-S Number
You will also need one piece of documentation from this list:
FAQ
Q. Do I need to manage my Developer Accounts?
A. For the most part, No. After we set up your accounts our team will do everything that is needed to get your app connected to it and keep your account compliant with future changes. However, you will need to keep your Apple Dev Account active by making the annual payments and occasionally Google or Apple, may ask for something we can’t do for you, such as additional verification.
Having Trouble?
If you are confused and not sure what to do next, the answer is almost always in the App Launch Wizard inside the creator portal (https://creators.actionera.com/)
So long as you are watching the walk-through videos, reading the description text, looking at example images, and clicking on different tabs & buttons, you should be able to find the answer of what to do next and how to do it. Everything in the Wizard is something we need, so start adding in information until you are done.
If you still need assistance, that is what are team is here for.
We host weekly App Launch Support Calls, See the calendar here (https://www.actionera.co/resources/572b190f-3ce5-4d06-bc04-aa0a06ecf999)
Or you can email:
matt@actionera.com for your branded app support
or
support@actionera.com for any general inquiries you may have.