If you are an Android developer or want to be one, you cannot live without Google Play Console. That’s how much important it is for developers. But why?
It is a real struggle to take your app to success when plenty of other apps are racing against each other. Google Play Store is the biggest app marketplace out there. So, the competition is even more fierce as there will always be many other alternatives if your app isn’t good.
But Google Play Console can help. Does it sound intriguing to you? Then read on as we at Insiderbits will show you what exactly it has got for you.
Google Play Console: App Overview and Features
Google Play Console is just like Google Search Console but for apps, not websites. In simpler words, it is a platform for Android app developers to publish and manage their apps on the Google Play Store.
At its core, its purpose is to give you analysis and insights to boost your app’s performance, make it more discoverable, and enhance its overall user experience.
Deploying your app is just the first step. Listening to your audience and adjusting your app according to the feedback is the real deal. Google Play Console turns that noise into important success metrics that you can work on.
But there is much more to it. Let’s have a deeper look at it with its main features:
- App release management
Google Play Console not only allows you to release your app to the world but also manages its distribution across regions and devices. For example, some apps have minimum system requirements to run properly. Whereas some are available for use only in certain countries due to the target market.
- Performance Analytics
You can improve only what you measure. Google Play Console is the tool you use to measure various metrics that determine your success. Some of the performance metrics it provides are user acquisition, user retention, crash reports, etc. This helps you make data-driven decisions for the path forward.
- Store listing experiments
A/B testing is one of the ways to find out what works and what doesn’t. So, Google Play Console allows you to experiment with different app listing elements such as logos, screenshots, and descriptions. See which version is performing better and keep it to bring more of its magic.
- Monetization tools
Many of the apps sustain themselves with ads and in-app purchases. So, the more they convert, the better will be the revenue generated. Google Play Console gives you insights into revenue generation and user spending behavior to optimize your monetization strategy.
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Google Play Console: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Increased user reach
Optimizing with Google Play Console empowers you to reach the huge world of Android users in the most rewarding way. Thus, it makes your goal of taking your app to success much easier.
- Comprehensive analytics
You will surely benefit from the comprehensive look at crucial metrics it provides you. User behavior, best acquisition channels, app performance, and user demographics are just some of the things you will get to know using it. This, in turn, helps you tweak your approach as needed.
- Monetization opportunities
Who doesn’t love money? Google Play Console opens up various sources of money via your app with in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ads. It even allows you to manage your customers by addressing their concerns and issuing refunds.
Cons:
- App approval process
Bringing your app into the Play Store isn’t as easy as just uploading it. It requires you to go through a stringent process that checks whether your app follows the required quality and security criteria or not. Many a time you will face a delay or rejection that impacts your target release date.
- Revenue sharing
Google Play Console is free? Well, not exactly. Yes, you can monitor insights and app performance for free. But it eats up a small percentage of the revenue you make with your app. This can be huge for small developers having a low profit margin on their services.
How to Download and Start Using This App
Click on the below link to go to the Google Play Store and download the app. It is not available for use in iOS.
Download Google Play Console (Android)
Following are the steps to set up your account to get started with it. You need not use the app to do it. You can complete the process on its website as well.
Step 1: Create your Google Play Developer account from here.
Step 2: After accepting its developer distribution agreement, you will have to pay a one-time registration fee of $25.
Step 3: Choose a developer account type. You have two options – personal and organizational.
Step 4: Verify your developer identity information.
Step 5: Meet testing requirements (for personal accounts only). From 13 November 2023 onwards you must meet the laid testing requirements before making your app available in Google Play Store.
For more information, here is the page from Google itself that talks about getting started with Play Console.
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Conclusion
Having Google Play Console in your arsenal of developer tools is mandatory if you want to release your app to billions of people using the Play Store every day. Plus, you will also get insights for free that are hard to get otherwise. So why miss out?
