Apps Developer question about App Marketing Agencies

[georeader]

Hi. I have a free app called Georeader, MyGeoReader: Hear as you near. Learn as you go. The app reads aloud to you roadside markers and other things as you pass by them when you drive. I have been putting together a business plan as the iphone version of the app is almost done. I am reserving a budget for marketing. I am curious if anybody here, as a developer, have used a paid app advertising agency to help them. I have attached an example of their claims below (this one is from Apalon) . I was curious if these firms are effective use of marketing dollars and if , as a developer, you were pleased with the results if you used them. Thanks Dave
Here is what they claim......

$3,999
GUARANTEED RANKINGS
Pre-launch: 5-7 business days *
Post-launch: 12-15 business days
Services listed in Premium plan + increased traffic from ads across network of our apps.
Guaranteed TOP50 Rankings in any category (for Games - subcategory) in App Store USA.
If we don't deliver - you don't pay second payment (50% - $2000).


Should I believe the hype?

 

[EarlyMon]

Not sure how they would accomplish this, other than to seed your comments with 5 star ratings. We've all seen shill ratings, they're easy to spot, and I personally avoid any app with them.

I've moved this to the Developers section, by the way, as I think you're likely to get more useful information here on this sort of thing.

 

[jayvanbuiten]

I've been thinking of working with Apalon, but as far as I know their marketing services are only for iOS.

For the guaranteed rankings, you pay $2000, and then only pay the other half once it hits the top 50.

 

[georeader]

Not sure how they would accomplish this, other than to seed your comments with 5 star ratings. We've all seen shill ratings, they're easy to spot, and I personally avoid any app with them.

I am a little skeptical as well. On Twitter, they don't have a zillion followers.

 

[mainmike]

Also considering Apalon at the moment, and i also wanna know if there is anyone who have tried their premium plan?

It seems legit in the offer since they claim they use their own app network to run add, and since their developers as well i could believe that. But that just for free apps, right, they cant add in paid apps?

I did some emailing with them back and fourth, trying to make them offer me a custom plan, as i dont need all their services, but its a no go. Package only! ...

Someone in toucharcade forum is apparently not to happy about their service, try searching (cant post links here).

Ive also came across a company from India that had the excact same offering, only a little bit cheaper on price (but they had no testimonials). Seems like thei just copy the text content from Apalons offer..


Whats a shill-rate btw? How do you determined this?

Ps: Apalon on facebook has 184 followers..

 

[Tobias3]

Apalon is really user friendly !
I agree.

 

[mobiexplore]

Does anybody have any app marketing agency to recommend?

 

[uwe]

I am a developer of AppBrain.com, we offer an Android App Promotion system.
It uses a cost per install model and provides unincentivized installs for your app.
Please see here for more information: Android App Promotion with AppBrain - Android App Markting

I am happy to help if you have any questions (contact@appbrain.com)