How to get your first 100 downloads (and beyond) for your app marketplace app

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Building an integration takes time. You spend hours coding, testing, and troubleshooting. But if you don’t market it, all that work could go unnoticed.

In some marketplaces, apps struggle to get more than a few downloads. I’ve built integrations that have thousands of downloads, and I’ve learned that building is only half the work. The real effort starts after you go live.

Here’s what I’ve seen make a difference:

Tutorials: Tutorials, tutorials, tutorials

People are searching for how to do XYZ every day. If your app solves a problem, your tutorials are the bridge between someone’s pain point and your product.

Create step-by-step guides, blog posts, or videos showing how to use your integration. Post them on YouTube, your website, and relevant forums or communities.

Focus on specific use cases, like “How to schedule recurring meetings with [your app].”

Tutorials make your app easy to find and use, showing potential users exactly why they need it.

Forum posts: Be helpful, not promotional

Forums are places where users look for solutions, and posting the right way can drive awareness. Instead of promoting your app, share how-to content that solves problems.

Answer questions in relevant forums, showcasing your expertise and your product. Share success stories or examples of how your app works in real scenarios.

Contribute to conversations about the ecosystem or industry your app supports. A helpful post today might bring downloads months later.

I share my process for tracking integration mentions across forums using tools like Google Alerts and Slack here.

Reviews: Build trust with user feedback

In many app marketplaces, reviews help users decide what to try. Yet, according to data from AppMarketplace.com, at the low end in some marketplaces only 13% of all listings earn any reviews at all. A few good reviews can make your app stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Encourage users to leave reviews by providing good support and following up after they try your app.

Ask early adopters for feedback or testimonials, and use their input to improve your product. Reviews not only show that your app works but also demonstrate that you value your users' experience.

Support: Make it part of your strategy

Good support sets your app apart. Many developers stop focusing on their integrations after launch, but users remember when you provide help.

Respond quickly to questions or issues. Be proactive in helping users get the most out of your app. Use support conversations to collect feedback and improve your product.

Good support can turn users into long-term customers and advocates for your app.

The formula for downloads

Building an integration isn’t enough. To grow downloads, you need to focus on visibility, trust, and support.

Create tutorials that show people how to use your app. Share your expertise in forums. Build trust with reviews. Stay engaged with support.

With these steps, you are not just building an app—you are creating something that users want to recommend.

And that’s it! What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share them. For more insights like this, subscribe to my newsletter.