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App Marketing Services: The Cost, Who to Trust, and How to Scale Apps

Written by Jovana Stankovic | Sep 5, 2025 11:27:40 AM

You’ve built a great app. Maybe it’s an e‑commerce platform, a mobile game, or a productivity tool you’re convinced people need. 

But here’s the kicker: without the right app marketing services, even the best apps can sink. You can’t rely on luck- or worse, just word of mouth.

That’s where app marketing services play a big role.

Done right, they help you drive app downloads, boost user acquisition, improve retention, and actually turn installs into loyal customers.

Done wrong? You’re burning through budgets without real growth.

So let’s unpack the real questions founders, startups, and marketing teams ask: What do these services cost? Which app marketing companies can you actually trust? And how do you use them to scale your app’s success? Let’s break it down.

We’re REPLUG, a Berlin-based app marketing agency specializing in OEM marketing, paid user acquisition, ASO, tracking and analytics, and more.

Contact us today for expert solutions to promote your app and scale through mobile marketing

TL;DR: Why App Marketing Services Matter

  • Building an app is only the first step — growth comes from people finding, downloading, and staying engaged.
  • App marketing services cover ASO, paid ads, influencer campaigns, OEM partnerships, and retention strategies that turn installs into loyal users.
  • Costs vary, but what really matters is having a data-driven, sustainable strategy.
  • REPLUG is fully specialized in apps, with proven results for Tiimo, BILD News, MultiPolls, Ecosia, and many more.
  • Their 360° approach drives installs, retention, and revenue growth.
  • App success isn’t about luck — it’s about choosing the right partner.

What Exactly Are App Marketing Services?

Think of app marketing services as the engine behind app growth. They’re a mix of strategies, tools, and campaigns designed to increase visibility, attract the right target audience, and keep users coming back.

These services usually include:

  • App Store Optimization (ASO): tweaking metadata, keywords, screenshots, and descriptions to improve rankings in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
  • Paid Media: running ad campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, Apple Search Ads, Meta, and TikTok.
  • User Acquisition (UA): strategies to drive high-quality installs- not just random clicks.
  • Retention Marketing: email marketing, push notifications, and onboarding flows that keep users engaged.
  • App Promotion Services: influencer marketing, social media marketing, and performance marketing campaigns that boost app visibility.

You might have thought it’s only about app installs, but no. It’s about building user engagement, improving conversion rates, and driving return on investment (ROI). In short, it’s marketing solutions built for mobile applications.

How Much Does It Cost to Market an App?

App marketing isn’t cheap. However, pricing depends on your goals, your competition, and the marketing channels you select.

  • Startups with limited budgets might spend $5K–$15K on lean campaigns focused on ASO, some social media marketing, and email marketing.
  • Mid-stage apps scaling into new markets could easily hit $50K–$100K annually on paid media, localization, and influencer marketing.
  • Enterprise or e‑commerce giants might throw millions into global app marketing campaigns, complete with media buying, performance marketing, and app store optimization across multiple languages.

It is not about how much you spent. It is about smart, data-driven strategies. A good app marketing agency will build a marketing plan that fits your stage of growth, your KPIs, and your app performance metrics.

What Is an App Marketing Company (And Why Do You Need One)?

An app marketing company (or mobile app marketing agency) is your specialized growth partner. They are not like a general digital marketing agency that spreads itself thin; these teams live and breathe mobile. They know how to:

  • Craft app marketing strategies tailored for iOS and Android.
  • Optimize metadata, ASO, and keywords to boost rankings.
  • Run performance marketing and paid media campaigns with a data-driven approach.
  • Improve onboarding, user experience, and retention.
  • Offer OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) collaborations for pre-installed or partnered apps.
  • Have a tailored approach for your app growth.
  • Track, measure, and analyze KPIs using advanced analytics and reporting tools.

Sure, you can try to build an in-house marketing team. But here’s the rub: in-house often lacks the bandwidth, industry tools, and cross-category experience that award-winning app marketing companies bring to the table.

The Big Digital Marketing Agencies vs. Specialists

People often ask, “Why not just go with one of the big digital marketing agencies?” You know the names: AppTweak, Singular, Moburst, and SEM Nexus.

These giants are either software or  full-service, with global reach and big budgets.

However, here’s the thing - they’re rarely mobile-first. They shine at media campaigns, brand awareness, and placements, but when it comes to app store optimization or mobile advertising, you might just become a small fish in their massive pond.

Specialist app marketing agencies, like REPLUG, flip the script. They provide the best Mobile App Marketing services. 

They’re leaner, faster, and built around data-driven strategies for app growth. They don’t just run ad campaigns- they obsess over app installs, user acquisition, and retention. 

Most of the mobile app development, app, and mobile-first companies contact REPLUG or their app marketing and Digital marketing services. If you’re on the same track as them, REPLUG is the right choice.

Why Partner with an App Marketing Agency?

Let’s be blunt: scaling an app is brutal.

Partnering with a mobile app marketing agency gives you:

  • Proven marketing strategies that have worked across industries.
  • Access to app store optimization tools and insider knowledge on what actually drives rankings.
  • A data-driven approach to ad campaigns, media buying, and influencer marketing.
  • Case studies to learn from;  real-world examples of apps like yours that achieved their growth metrics.
  • A 360-degree app marketing agency approach ensures initial visibility, downloads, retention, and monetization.

And when you work with the right partner? You stop guessing. You stop wasting marketing efforts on vanity metrics. You finally get a path to sustainable app growth.

What Strategies Do App Marketing Services Use to Increase App Downloads?

The most effective app marketing services combine different channels and tactics:

  • ASO: optimizing metadata, keywords, and screenshots.
  • Apple Search Ads & Google Ads: precise paid campaigns that bring high-quality users.
  • SEO & Content Marketing: driving organic visibility for your app.
  • Influencer Marketing: using social media campaigns to reach active communities.
  • Retention & Engagement: email marketing, onboarding, and push notifications.
  • Performance Marketing: running ad campaigns optimized for conversion rates and retention.

REPLUG’s Brazil success story proves this:

A leading survey app was losing ground in rankings and retention. REPLUG built a data-driven marketing plan combining ASO improvements, Apple Search Ads, and localized ad campaigns.

  • Just one metadata update drove massive visibility gains
  • The app ranked in the top 3 for some of Brazil’s most competitive long-tail terms
  • Keyword visibility exploded across 280+ non-branded terms

Within months, the app’s visibility increased, retention rose, and revenue grew by over 36%. It wasn’t just about installs—it was about keeping users engaged and boosting app performance long-term.

The Best Strategies for Promoting a New Mobile App

If you’re launching a new mobile app, here’s what works:

1. Start with ASO

App Store Optimization (ASO) is like SEO, but for the App Store and Google Play. Your app’s title, keywords, and screenshots aren’t just details—they decide whether users even find you. A strong ASO strategy makes sure your app ranks higher and stands out with visuals that make people want to tap “download.”


2. Test paid media campaigns

Organic growth is great, but it’s slower. Running paid campaigns on platforms like Apple Search Ads, Google Ads, or Meta can immediately put your app in front of the right audience. The trick is testing different creatives, audiences, and messages, then scaling what works, rather than burning money blindly.

3. Leverage influencer marketing

People don’t always trust ads, but they trust creators they already follow. Partnering with TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube influencers helps you build social proof and tap into communities that match your app’s niche. It feels more authentic than a banner ad—and authenticity drives installs.

4. Focus on retention

Downloads mean nothing if users leave within the first day. Smooth onboarding, helpful push notifications, and thoughtful email follow-ups are what keep people around. When users stick, your acquisition costs drop and your app gets better rankings in stores (because retention is a ranking factor too).

5. Track metrics

Flying blind kills growth. You need to know what’s working and what’s not. This involves examining conversion rates, retention rates, and lifetime value (LTV). Tracking tools and analytics help you connect campaigns to outcomes—so you spend on what drives installs and cut what doesn’t.

App promotion is about striking a balance between installs and retention. Thousands of installs mean nothing if users bounce quickly.

Why and When Should You Hire a Mobile App Marketing Agency?

  • Startups: When you need visibility, fast app installs, and a marketing plan without hiring a full in-house team.
  • Growing apps: When scaling into new regions and needing localization, data-driven strategies, and new marketing channels.
  • Established apps: When retention is slipping, or you need advanced monetization, paid media, and performance marketing.
  • Companies going mobile-first: When traditional businesses (like online banks, retailers, or service providers) want to transition into mobile apps to engage users, improve customer experience, and compete in a mobile-driven market.

Hiring the right mobile app marketing agency ensures your marketing efforts aren’t wasted. You get expert guidance, reliable ASO, and campaigns designed for long-term app success.

Who Can You Actually Trust? (Spoiler: REPLUG)

Not all app marketing companies are equal. Some promise the moon but deliver vanity metrics. Others run cookie-cutter campaigns without considering your app’s unique audience.

That’s why REPLUG has become the go-to app marketing agency for startups and scale-ups alike. Based in Europe but trusted globally, REPLUG isn’t just another mobile app marketing agency-they’re a team of marketing experts.

Clients love REPLUG because they don’t just execute, they educate. They help you understand your marketing plan, your KPIs, and how to make smarter marketing efforts long-term.

Why REPLUG?

REPLUG is one of the leading mobile app marketing agencies:

  • Award-winning campaigns across industries, from e-commerce to gaming.
  • Proven case studies showing growth in competitive markets like Brazil, New York, and across Europe.
  • Full-service marketing solutions, including app store optimization, paid media, retention, and monetization strategies.
  • A data-driven approach with clear KPIs, not vanity metrics.
  • Marketing experts who act as an extension of your marketing team.
  • Transparency and a team that knows how to handle all types of apps.
  • 360-degree approach to app growth
  • Tailored solutions for each app

This app marketing agency specializes in turning installs into engaged users, improving conversion rates, and building sustainable app growth. Their work with startups, scale-ups, and enterprises proves they can adapt strategies for any stage of growth.

REPLUG Success Stories:

  1. Tiimo: By optimizing iOS visibility and using targeted paid campaigns, REPLUG helped this productivity app achieve +36% revenue growth.



  2. MULTIPOLLS: REPLUG's tracking and attribution experts supported Bohemian Research in fixing their MMP setup, scaling efficiently, and achieving 272% ROAS.



  3. ECOSIA: REPLUG's ASO team helped scale their organic visibility, increasing non-branded keyword installs by +40% across four markets.

These examples show how a full-service agency doesn’t just drive installs. They improve app growth, user engagement, and long-term ROI.

Click here to check out all the success stories. There are many more.

Wrapping Up: Scaling Your App’s Success

App marketing services aren’t optional; they’re the backbone of user acquisition, retention, and app growth.

Whether you’re a startup testing the waters or an established app pushing for global expansion, the right mobile app marketing agency can mean the difference between being a top-ranked app.

So if you’ve been wondering how much app marketing costs, what app marketing companies do, or which app marketing strategies actually work, the answer is clear. 

It’s not about spending the most. It’s about finding a partner who knows how to make every dollar work harder.

And if you’re serious about scaling? REPLUG should be your first call. Because in a crowded market, you don’t just need installs. You need loyal users, better retention, and data-driven growth strategies that last.

👉 Ready to scale smarter, not harder? Contact REPLUG today and let’s grow your app together.

FAQs

  1. What is a mobile app marketing agency?
    A mobile app marketing agency is a team that helps apps grow by increasing visibility, installs, and retention. They use strategies like ASO, paid ads, influencer marketing, and analytics to make sure your app reaches the right users.

  2. Why partner with an app marketing agency?
    Because going alone on this journey is challenging, agencies bring the right tools, data, and cross-industry experience to scale more efficiently. Instead of wasting budget on trial and error, you get proven strategies that save time and boost ROI.

  3. How do I do marketing for my app?
    You can start with App Store Optimization, social media, influencer collaborations, and paid ads. But for long-term growth, you need tracking, retention strategies, and expert campaign management.

  4. What is an app promotion service?
    App promotion services are tactics used to get more users for your app. This can include store optimization, ad campaigns, content creation, partnerships, and retention efforts to keep users active after they install.

  5. What are the best strategies for promoting a new mobile app?
    The best strategies include ASO, targeted paid ads, influencer marketing, and user retention tactics like push notifications and email flows. Tracking metrics is key- knowing what works and doubling down on it.

  6. What strategies does REPLUG use for app marketing?
    REPLUG uses ASO to improve visibility, paid media to scale installs, OEM placements for wider reach, and data-driven tracking to measure real impact. The success stories of Ecosia and MultiPolls demonstrate how the right mix of strategies drives growth.