Breaking into Alternative App Stores: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you have a thriving Android game on Google Play, you may be considering expanding to other app stores to reach new audiences and increase revenue. Stores like Huawei's App Gallery, Amazon App Store, Samsung Galaxy App Store, Xiaomi GetApps, and the One Store offer promising opportunities for growth. However, navigating these alternative stores can be complex, with various pain points and requirements to address. The first hurdle is fragmentation, driven by new commercial and technological requirements. When publishing on multiple stores, you'll need to consider factors such as in-app payments, asset management, update handling, user experience, single sign-on, attribution, and in-game advertising. Additionally, some Android devices lack support for Google Mobile Services, requiring adjustments to your implementation of single sign-on, push notifications, and in-app advertising. To overcome these challenges, it's essential to understand the requirements of each store and plan accordingly. This includes learning about technical requirements, such as adding store-specific payments, and operational requirements, like separate bundle IDs and login features. You'll also need to make your payment handling robust, as payment systems vary across stores, and factor in how stores drive updates into your feature planning. Other key considerations include update handling and user messaging, in-app advertising and analytics, asset handling, single sign-on tweaks, and reporting and insight requirements. Designing your game and back-end to allow for easy updates and revisions will also save you time and effort in the long run. When it comes to live-ops and store management, it's crucial to plan for operational requirements, accommodate differences in store functions, and invest in automation. Building relationships with operational staff at different stores can also be beneficial. The alternative app stores are actively engaged in helping you drive growth, offering promotions and incentive schemes like loyalty points and cash-back programs. To maximize your chances of success, ensure feature parity across all stores, be patient and allow time for growth, and create strong relationships with account management teams. Give stores visibility into upcoming events and updates, and be open to their ideas and proposals. Using store-specific advertising networks and combining user acquisition with in-store promotions can also drive growth. By following these tips and understanding the quirks of each store, you can expect a revenue boost of 10% or more in the first year.