RIM BlackBerry Strategy
The complete wireless solution
The BlackBerry solution consists of smartphones and software that enable access to data and applications on the go. BlackBerry smartphones allow mobile users to access communications and information wirelessly, including:
- Corporate data with push-delivery technology
- Instant messaging
- Phone
- Internet and intranet access
- Organizer
BlackBerry User Interface Design
We are clearly seeing that the best selling BlackBerry apps have a well thought out and nicely designed clean user interface, over those thrown together using BlackBerry Java Development Environment (BlackBerry JDE).
Good mobile user interface isn’t easy, regardless of the tools given to you by a device API. It takes a considerable amount of time and thought to understand how to effectively lead users to their goals in the ever changing mobile context.
Same problems, different platform
Luckily we’ve been designing mobile user interfaces for both native and web platforms for a very very long time. The BlackBerry is an amazing platform, but it suffers from all the same design challenges that have plagued the mobile industry for close to a decade.
We start the design process on paper, sketching out the various states the user will go through. Once established, we move to Photoshop, creating a visual presentation that feels native on the BlackBerry, but is distinctly your brand. Only then do we move to BlackBerry JDE, putting the design together as something you can use and getting it ready for development.
Get in touch to start creating your beautiful BlackBerry App.
Java Development
BlackBerry applications are written in the Java programming language. The BlackBerry SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to develop applications on the BlackBerry platform using Java programming language. The compiled Java code — along with any data and resource files required by the application — is bundled into an Android package, an archive file. This file is the vehicle for distributing the application and installing it on mobile devices; it’s the file users download to their devices.
What this means for you is you aren’t paying for our staff to learn Java programming, you are paying for them to build your project, quickly and efficiently. It also means avoiding any App Store approval hassles with basic rookie mistakes.
Let’s talk about how we can help build out your BlackBerry App.
BlackBerry App World Overview
BlackBerry App World is an application distribution service and application by RIM for certain BlackBerry devices (BlackBerry OS version 4.2.0 or higher). The service provides BlackBerry users with an environment to browse, download, and update third-party applications.
Like Apple’s iPhone App Store, RIM will review a submitted application for content suitability and perform technical testing to ensure the application meets the BlackBerry App World Vendor Guidelines.
Finding the timing
The trick to success in the BlackBerry Market is having the right app launch at the right time with the right price – not an easy feat. We work with you to determine the right price point of your application (which is becoming a science on its own), then look for the right timing of when to launch your app in order to maximize the opportunities given by market swings.
Buzz Building
Getting into the BlackBerry App World is the easy part. Getting users to your app is the bigger challenge. Everyone wants to be featured or make the Top 25 in the BlackBerry Market, since it can double or triple your downloads, but the only way to do that is with good design, good press, and even better sales.
Deck Placement lives again!
With no control over what gets featured within the store, it is up to us to drive sales outside the BlackBerry App World. Great initial exposure means decent spikes in downloads, which increase your chances of getting featured.
This is the age old dilemma (well at least as old as mobile) of deck placement – getting your application promoted within an outside directory – though with the App Store it is much easier and more effective to do.
By the way, we realize that “Buzz Building” sounds a bit trite, but “Social Media Marketing” sounds even worse. Basically we help you with the best kind of marketing: good word of mouth.
Let’s talk about building your brand outside the BlackBerry App World.
Sales Strategy
The typically lifespan of an BlackBerry app is about 30 days, though some apps share more time in the spotlight. Managing your sales strategy in out out of the App Store is key to maximizing the exposure or profit of your app.
It’s all about downloads
Getting featured and listed in the Top 25 is all about driving downloads. The more downloads you get in a certain period of time means your chances of being featured are exponentially increased. Less expensive or free applications benefit from a significantly higher downloads, but can cannibalize sales of your premium apps and frustrate customers who paid full price.
The bad news is, as you can see, there are no clear cut answers here. It depends on your app, your customer and the competition in your apps space. The good news is we are confident we can help you find a sales strategy that works to meet your business and brand goals. We look both in the store and outside of the store for ways to get your app downloaded en masse, increasing your chances of getting your app in the spotlight.
