How To Upload An App To Google Play Store?

No one can doubt the popularity and dominance of the Google Play Store account in the domain of mobile applications and software. 

The domain gets all the more solidified by the Play Store statistics that there are approximately 3.48 million apps on Play Store and that almost 3739 apps get released on it daily.

Numbers like these solidify how the Play Store for Android is an excellent option to upload your application on. 

Now, if you are wondering “how to publish an app to Google Play Store”, then end your quest here. We have covered end-to-end all about the process of Google Play uploads. Without any further ado, let’s dive into Google play publish.

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

Now that the obvious is out of the way, let’s move on to the steps regarding how to submit an app to Google Play Store. Make sure you follow each in the exact chronological order to avoid any mistakes in the process of Google app publish.

1. Google Play Developer Console

In order to upload an Android play store app, a developer dashboard is imperative. Google Play console is kind of a backend controlling center, from where developers submit Play Store apps for Android. There is a one-time fee of $25 by which a developer can open an account, loaded with functions and control features. After paying this one-time fee, you can submit apps to Google Play Store for free.

You need to fill out all the credentials asked while creating the account, such as your name, country and more. Once you submit your account it will take upto 48 hours to get approved.

2. Link Developer Account with Google Wallet Merchant Account

If the app getting uploaded to Play Store supports in-app purchases, then you will need a merchant account. To create one you can sign in to your Google Play Console account and click on ‘Reports’ followed by ‘Financial Reports’ option. After this, you may select the ‘Set up a merchant account now’ option and simply fill out your details. 

The merchant account will automatically get linked to your Google Play Console account and will allow you to manage and examine app sales.

3. Create Application

This is yet another step towards how to submit an app to Google play store. 

Once you are logged into your developer or publisher account, here are a few steps you need to take to publish app to google play:

• In the menu, go to the ‘All applications’ tab
• You will see an option ‘Create Application’ – select it
• From the drop-down menu, choose the application’s default language
• Enter your application’s title (it can be changed later)

• Now, click on “Create”

4. App Store Listing

It is at this point of Google Play uploads, your preparations will come handy.

In this step around how to upload an app to the play store, you are required to fill out all the information and details you have already prepared with caution before. The table below shows what information you need to fill in the app listing-

Make sure to use appropriate keywords in your app description to increase the chances of your app showing up in searches. Along with this, make sure to use all the data we have talked about in the prerequisite section for app listing.

5. Upload App Bundles or APK To Google Play

Now, you are required to use the files such as App bundle or APK and signed app release and upload them into your application. This is how you do it: Navigate to the ‘Release Management’ and then ‘App Release’ tab in the menu. After this, you will be asked to choose any one type of release from four options- internal test, close test, production release, and an open test. 

Once, you have made a decision regarding which type of release you want, you may select ‘Create Release’. 

At this point, you will be redirected to the New release to the production page. Here, you are again required to make another decision- to opt for Google Play apps store signing on the app or not. If you choose the latter, then simply click on the ‘OPT-OUT’ option.

Now, select ‘Browse files’ and then look into how to upload apk to google apps store while naming and describing your release through on-screen instructions. You can also click on ‘Review’ to confirm the information. When everything is taken care of, press ‘Save’.

6. Time For Content Rating

The next step regarding how to publish Android apps on the Play Store is to rate your app. This is crucial because it is listed as ‘Unrated’, it might get removed altogether from the store, so it is imperative to rate the application.

For Content Rating, you must again navigate to the menu on the left side of the screen and then select the same. By clicking on ‘Continue’ you can move forward and then type your email address in the respective field and then ‘Confirm’ it.

Now, you may fill the questionnaire for your app rating. Follow this by selecting the ‘Save Questionnaire’ and then choose the ‘Calculate Rating’ option to see your app rating on the Play Store. The last thing to finalize your app’s content rating is to click on ‘Apply’.

7. Fix App Pricing and Distribution

Now, you have to be clear about what countries your app is going to be available in. The point to note here is that Google doesn’t support publishing an app for all regions. The app will be published in selected countries instead of world-wide.

Moreover, assigning a price to your app is crucial. If you want your app to be free, make sure that this decision is permanent, as Google does not allow you to convert free apps into paid ones. Although, the price of the app can be altered. 

To do all this, go to the Pricing and Distribution tab in the menu, and then make a choice whether your app is going to be Free or Paid. You may now select the countries you want your app to be released. Additionally, if your application is suited for children under the age of 13, you may select the option of ‘Yes’ for Primary Child-Detected. If otherwise is the case, simply select ‘No’. Similarly, select the options for allowing ads into your application.

8. Finally, Publish the Application

Once you are confirmed about everything being correct, take the last step of this guide on how to upload android app to Play Store, i.e, add the application to the platform. You need to go back to the ‘App Releases’ tab and then select ‘Manage Production’ followed by ‘Edit Release’. After this, click on ‘Review’ and then choose ‘Start rollout to production’ option. To bring this process to an end select the ‘Confirm’ option and Voila! You have successfully uploaded the app to the Google Play Store apk account for free.

Once you upload app to google play store free, all there is left to do now is to just wait for your application to get approved. It generally took about two hours for your application to get reviewed. But with apps store Google Play’s updated privacy policy, it will now take hours and even days for the same, encouraging mobile app development companies to create even more flawless applications that get selected instantly. So, hold your excitement in the place and just wait.

How To Get Your App Featured On Play Store?

Your job is to make sure the app gains popularity and thousands of downloads doesn’t end here. After successful execution of the steps regarding how to publish a free or paid app onGoogle Play Store, it is now time to get it featured on Play Store.

There are certain practices such as user interaction and visual design services, working on the latest technologies, localization, etc. that helps your app to get featured. Getting featured on Google Play Store apk can benefit your app to an extent that it increases the attention of users on your app by multi-folds.

What To Do After Play Store App Submission?

With the question of “How to publish an app on Google Play Store” answered, you might think “What is there to do next?”. Well, we have got you covered with this as well. Here are some practices you can do to ensure your application enjoys global exposure on Google apps store.

1. Promote App On Social Media

Social Media is a great medium to skyrocket the popularity of your application. The fact that 42% of the world’s population uses social media is enough to justify the statement. There are some platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Pinterest, and a lot more that are constantly in use. So, promoting your app on these platforms promises more traffic and eventually more downloads.

2. Initiate Press-Release

Press-release is another way through which you can promote your brand. With this, your brand will come into limelight and many publications will cover your app release which will eventually allow your app to reach a wider user base and develop an authentic connection.

A press release that covers the words, attributes and insights of the mobile app developers and application itself has proved to be an incredible app marketing strategy. It is a great example to show users that what they expect is good.

3. Focus On App Maintenance And Update

You cannot just publish your application on the app store and let it be. You need to efficiently maintain your application and introduce frequent updates, attending to the issues and bugs faced by users. Maintaining something is a constant task rather than a one-time thing. So, make sure you keep your app updated with the latest app stack and fix whatever needs fixing.

4. Practice ASO

App Store Optimization is a celebrated practice among all the top Android app development companies. Famously known as ASO, it primarily focuses on the activities which target aspects that can generate more attention and visibility of your application on app store. These practices are focused on increasing the conversion rate of impressions into downloads on the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How Long Does it Take to Publish an App on Google Play Apps Store?

There is no fixed time limit for publishing an application on Google apps store. Though the process of submitting an application through the Google Play Store Console is simple and concise, the duration of your app getting reviewed and selected can vary between hours and days.

Q. How Much Does it Cost to Put an App on the Play Store?

There is only a one-time fee of $25 which you pay when you publish your first application. After this, all the apps you publish on google app store for android are cost-free.

Conclusion 

We hope that the above instructions were helpful in guiding you through the process of how to upload an app to the Play Store. Once you upload an app to the Play Store, you require an active marketing strategy to attract the customers. After the android app is published, your app requires continuous efforts to make it a success, or competition will overshadow it.

At Appinventiv, we have experts that can turn your app idea into a success story. Be it building a robust and scalable app or publishing it and thereafter, getting it featured on the Google Play Store, our experts can help you in all ways.  

We have so far helped many startups raise investments worth $700 million. We have also helped brands such as Domino’s, Adidas, and KFC expand their digital footprint in different countries by creating reliable and user-friendly mobile applications.   

THE AUTHOR

Avinash Sharma

VP- R&D