How To Upload an App on Google Play Store

Smartphones are one of the crucial gadgets for users. Over 60% of people sleep keeping their smartphones by their side and checking them in the morning as soon as they wake up. When we consider the romance between users and their mobile phones, startups and entrepreneurs have successfully cashed the opportunity for developing apps for almost everything. 

Retail stores and most businesses have mobile apps for keeping their audience engaged. So the chances are that by now you may be planning to launch your mobile app. And what better platform for reaching millions of users else than the Google Play Store? So if you are wondering how to upload an app on Google Play Store, this is the guy you are looking for!

Step-by-Step Process to Upload App To Google Play Store

This guide will make it easier for businesses to upload an app on Google Play Store:

Step 1: Making a Developer Account

Adding a developer account is necessary to upload an app on Google Play Store, and the process is simpler than it seems. You can create the account in four simple steps:

1. Sign in with your Google account.
2. Accept developer agreement.
3. Pay a registration fee of $25.
4. Complete your account details.

Step 2: Creating a Google Wallet Merchant and Linking it to Your Developer Account

You will need a merchant account for receiving payments made by users for either downloading the app or for in-app purchases. The developer will receive all the payments in the merchant account, and creating one isn’t much of a trouble. Just follow these steps for creating a Google wallet and before you add an app to Google Play Store:

1. Sign in using your developer account.
2. Go to the menu and click on reports.
3. Select financial reports.
4. Click on set up a merchant account now.
5. Add details of your business.
6. Click on submit.
7. Your merchant account and developer account are now linked together.

Step 3: Upload The App on Google Play Store

After registering the merchant account, you will now upload an app on Google Play Store. Many entrepreneurs and startups are uploading an app on Google Play Store. You will know it isn’t that difficult if you continue reading:

Here is what you should do:

1. Select all applications from the menu.
2. Click on add a new application.
3. Choose the default language from the drop-down menu.
4. Add the title of your app to not more than 30 characters.
5. Now you will have two options to upload your app on Google Play Store, or you can upload APK or prepare a store listing.

Step 4: Upload the Android Package Kit

The APK or Android package kit is a file format for Android that stores, distributes, and installs applications on Android devices. You can upload the APK by either dragging and dropping it into the box or browsing and navigating it. Here is how to go about it:

1. For the first release from an internal test, closed test, open test, or production release, choose the type of release.
2. Tap on create a release.
3. Follow the instructions for uploading the APK files.

If you are planning to test your app among certain users, select from an internal test, closed test, or open test. If you are ready to introduce your app to the mass audience, then choose the production release. Nevertheless, you should completely test the application with a smaller audience before a massive launch.

Step 5: Prepare Store Listing

In this step, you must fill in information about your app for uploading it to the Play Store. You can complete the information in one go or favor draught and come back later for completing it. It is also recommended that you should consult with your marketing and branding team for the step for the creation of the right profile that your business requires.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Now add an app title of 50 characters, a short description of 80 characters, and a full description of up to 4000 characters. Finally, add App screenshots, images, icons, videos, and other graphic content.
2. Add translation of your app in other languages. You can either do the bi translations or add your own translated version.
3. Now categorize your app into a suitable type and category.
4. Add your contact details for users to contact you. You must include an email address, but you can also add your phone number and website.
5. Now add a link to your privacy policy if you wish to obtain sensitive data. The privacy policy should indicate the use of data collected from users.

The information entered by you will be creating a persona of the app in the user’s mind. Therefore, it will help them in deciding whether they want to download the app or not.

Step 6: Add a Content Rating

There are high chances that Google Play Store will remove the app if it isn’t rated. Select the app in the play console and click upon store presence from the menu. The rating will assist in attracting a relevant audience to the app. 

Nevertheless, you should ensure that you provide accurate information and correct ratings. A false rating will not only miss guiding your users, but it could also get your app suspended or removed from the Google Play Store.

Step 7: Choose a Pricing and Distribution Model

You can choose your app to be either paid or free. Google play store lets you change from a paid app to a free one letter but not from a free app to a paid one. So it would help if you were very careful while choosing your pricing model. 

Once done, you should choose the countries you want your app to be distributed in. You could either select all countries or mark some specific countries for your app distribution according to your preference. You can also choose specific Android programs and devices for your app.

Step 8: Publish Your App

Now you can go back and ensure that you have completed all the steps before finally hitting the publish button. Play Store will inform you of any warnings, missed information on any other errors that may hinder you. Do a thorough review before going ahead. You would publish your app in the countries you have selected.

Conclusion

Your journey will not stop after you upload an app on Google Play Store. There are over 2.9 million apps available on the Google Play Store, and your app needs an active marketing strategy for popping up for users. It would help if you always remembered that running an app is not a one-time job. It needs continuous efforts to make it a success, or competition will overshadow the app.

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