How to Make Money with Apps? Top 7 Monetization Strategies

Author : Shivraj Dhaygude | Published On : 18 Dec 2023

If you want to make money & generate high revenue from your application, this blog will be your ultimate destination. In this era, the mobile app development industry brings opportunities & potential to modern businesses to make huge profits. However, not all business apps earn an equal share of iOS and Android market revenue.

Shortcuts:

• The Latest Statistics On App Monetization In 2024
• How do Apps Make Money: Top Things to Consider
• What To Consider Before You Make Money Making Apps?
• Final Words
• FAQ’s

In today’s app market, free mobile apps are always in great demand as compared to paid apps in terms of the number of downloads & net profit. As a result, most people ask a question – how do apps make money? Continue reading to know how do apps make money and all aspects of app monetization models. Let’s get started.

The Latest Statistics on App Monetization In 2024

• Users spend more than $380 billion globally on in-app purchases
• As of June 2024, 3.553 million apps are placed in the Play Store
• 98% of revenue comes from free mobile apps
• The global mobile app market revenue is predicted to reach $935 billion in 2024
• Revenue generated through advertising is expected to increase by 6% between 2024 & 2024
• As compared to last quarter, there is a 6% increase in the overall mobile app revenue

Top App Monetization Models to Consider

App monetization models usually refer to the approaches and strategies employed by an android application development company to earn profits from their applications. Take a look at the top 7 models that work as a sustainable source of income for developers.

1. In-App Advertising:

Probably, in-app advertising is the simplest way to monetize mobile applications. By showing relevant ads to your potential users, you can easily earn good revenue based on clicks or impressions. There are too many popular advertising networks available such as Facebook Audience Network, Google AdMob, etc and they help you seamlessly integrate ads into your applications. 

The in-app purchases are mainly deployed to access the powerful & advanced features to make users’ interaction swifter and seamless. Moreover, it can also be done with third-party ad networks. Every application monetization model comes with some unique advantages. Let’s have a look at some of the key benefits of in-app advertising:

• Helps in user interaction measurement
• Offers a high probability to reach the target audience
• Generates more traffic than social media networking

2. Freemium Model:

This model mainly involves providing a basic version of an application for free but they consist of premium & paid features. These premium features are mainly accessed through in-app purchases. This type of model enables users to explore the core functionalities of an app free of cost & entices them to upgrade to get the enhanced features. Some widely popular apps that use this freemium model to make money include Spotify, Duolingo, Headspace, Tidal, etc. Key benefits of the freemium upsell model are: 

• No intrusive ads
• Compatible with other approaches
• Low maintenance required
• It has widely reached as it’s free for users

3. In-app Purchases:

In-app purchase is one of the popular mobile application monetization models that help users with plenty of options to purchase virtual items, subscriptions, and upgrades within the application. This model is highly effective for gaming apps that allow users to unlock levels, and buy virtual currencies & special items. Moreover, in-app purchases can also be used in non-gaming applications. With in-app purchases, apps not only make money but also improve user experience. Some significant benefits of this model include: 

• Helps to obtain high profits
• Best for gaming applications like Clash of Clans
• Provide advanced services through an application
• Credit details are safely secured for in-app purchases

4. Subscription-Based Model:

Thinking about how do apps make money from mobile? Using a subscription-based model can be considered one of the finest app monetization strategies. This model has gained huge popularity, especially for applications that offer ongoing services or value. 

By offering annual or monthly subscriptions to your users, you can easily generate a steady stream of your app revenue. The subscription-based model is suitable for app categories like health & fitness, entertainment, education, productivity, etc. Best examples of subscription-based apps include Netflix, Spotify, Dropbox, etc. Some perks of using these apps are

• Offers ad-free experience
• Higher user engagement
• Results in a reliable income

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5. Sponsorship:

Sponsorship isn’t a very common app monetization method but it also plays a significant role in money making. Consider sponsorship with relevant brands to help promote products within your application. 

This model not only helps to generate more revenue but also improves user engagement and the app’s credibility. When talking about how free apps make money through sponsorship monetization strategy, there are 2 deals to consider: 

• Divide revenue equally from the app
• Set a monthly fee for sponsorship

Moreover, the sponsorship model is mainly incorporated with such apps that have a regular user base. Key benefits of this app monetization model include:

• Less disruption to user experience
• Improves apps’ credibility
• Enhances user engagement & interaction
• Promotes your application to the right audience

6. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a funding model which is a very profitable option for app monetization. If your application offers value to your users through its functionality & content, you must consider this crowdfunding model. In this model, companies & startups share ideas on different platforms like Patreon, Crowd Supply, Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Chuffed, and Fundable for donations. This funding is important for their app development & promotion. Key benefits of the crowdfunding model include: 

• Access to funding
• No risk of upfront costs
• Simpler investor relations
• Fast way to finance any application

7. Transaction Fees

Another effective approach to monetize an application is transaction fee implementation. It can be considered a profitable method of app monetization when your application offers a platform, where online transactions occur on a daily basis.

For example, suppose your app provides a unique feature that enables third-party vendors to sell products and conduct online purchases. In such cases, you can easily charge a nominal fee for each transaction executed through your application. In this way, you can easily make your apps earn profits with zero upfront investments. Key benefits of this model include: 

• Promotes fully cashless transactions
• No user credibility
• Zero upfront investments

What To Consider Before You Make Money Making Apps?

Before investing in the best android application development company, it’s important to consider different factors for ensuring profitability & success. Check out some of the key factors below: 

1. Market Research:

Start conducting deep market research to find new money making app ideas & concepts that have huge demand as well as potential profitability. Analyze existing applications in the same niche to know their target audience, monetization strategies & competition.

2. Target Audience:

Define your target audience clearly & thoroughly understand their needs and preferences. This will help you tailor your application & app monetization strategies to effectively cater to users’ requirements.

3. Monetization Models:

Explore several monetization models like in-app purchases, subscription fees, freemium, advertising, sponsorship, etc. Determine which one perfectly aligns with your target audience & app’s purposes. Consider the user experience implications & long-term sustainability of each model.

4. Value Proposition:

Address the value your application provides to users. It can be solving a problem, providing entertainment, enhancing productivity, or delivering convenience. A compelling value proposition may attract more users and enhance the chances of app monetization.

5. Cost of App Development:

Assess all financial resources needed for app development, including coding, design, testing as well as maintenance. Consider existing framework utilization & outsourcing development to optimize overall Android app development cost in india.

6. User Experience:

Prioritize delivering a seamless and intuitive user experience. Users are more likely to engage with and pay for an app that is user-friendly, visually appealing, and performs well across different devices and platforms.

7. App Promotion & Marketing:

Plan a unique marketing strategy to promote your application & start reaching your potential audiences. Utilize different channels such as app stores, social media, content marketing & influencer collaborations to build awareness & drive app downloads.

8. App Store Optimization:

With app store optimization (ASO) techniques, you can optimize your application’s visibility in app stores. This mainly includes using relevant keywords, high-quality screenshots, compelling descriptions, and effective user reviews to enhance your app’s discoverability & rankings.

9. Legal & Privacy Considerations:

You can ensure compliance with relevant laws & regulations like user consent, data privacy, intellectual property rights, etc. Protect address security concerns & user data and build trust with your target audience.

10. Analytics & Iteration:

Use advanced analytics tools to track user engagement, behavior & monetization metrics. Many app making companies suggest you analyze this data regularly to make an informed decision & also iterate your application’s features as well as monetization strategies based on market trends & user feedback.

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Final Words

Monetizing a mobile application requires a deep understanding and strategic planning of the target audience. By integrating multiple revenue streams, properly balancing user experience with monetization efforts & consistently adapting to the latest market trends, you can seamlessly generate a sustainable profit with your app. Don’t forget to focus on developing core values for active users & fostering excellent user experience, as both significantly contribute to your app’s profitability. Still struggling to understand how do apps make money? Talk to us for expert consultation.

FAQ’s

How much money can you make from an app?

The earnings from an application greatly depend on the app’s niche, monetization strategies, target audience, user engagement, market competition, overall quality, etc. According to statistics, mobile applications are projected to generate approx. $935 billion in revenues in 2024 through in-app advertising, subscriptions & downloads.

How do apps make money?

There are 8 popular ways by which can make money from your own app: 

• In-app advertising
• Subscriptions
• In-app purchases
• Sponsorship
• Freemium upsell
• Crowdfunding
• Transaction fees

Do money-making apps really work?

Yes, money-making apps really work and generate significant revenue. Business owners and developers have developed profitable ventures through app creation and monetization strategies. However, most money-making applications provide a very little amount of cash in exchange for finishing simple tasks such as watching videos, taking surveys, making purchases, etc.