Comprehensive Guide to Buying Initial Traffic for A/B Testing a New Mobile App

When launching a new mobile app, the initial traffic is critical for successful A/B testing. This guide outlines the best strategies for acquiring the necessary users without being overwhelmed by a large, initial traffic that could cause user dissatisfaction. The article covers various methods based on your budget and provides detailed insights into each approach.

Introduction

When you begin developing a new mobile app, the first phase of the process involves A/B testing. This phase is crucial for refining your app, ensuring that it meets the needs and preferences of its target audience. However, before you can start testing, you need to secure the initial traffic to gather meaningful data. The best way to do this is often through strategic and controlled methods, avoiding the pitfalls of large, unpredictable traffic surges.

Friends and Family Testing

The simplest and most cost-effective method for initial testing is to involve your friends and family. This group is often close to you, familiar with your project, and willing to offer honest feedback without the pressure of a large, unpredictable audience. By leveraging their support, you can focus on refining your app and making necessary adjustments before a wider release. This path of least resistance also helps in building user trust and validating your app's concept.

Strategic Use of Landing Pages

If you have a limited budget but still need to drive initial traffic, setting up a landing page is an excellent option. A landing page is a single web page designed to capture user intent and guide them towards taking a specific action, such as downloading or using your app. By using tools such as Formbricks, you can create an effective landing page that increases visitor engagement and captures valuable user data. Pushing traffic from Google Ads to this landing page can help you gather critical feedback before the app's full launch.

Hiring Professional Customer Development Companies

For a more structured approach to gaining initial user feedback, consider hiring a professional customer development company. These companies specialize in conducting customer interviews and surveys to understand user needs and preferences. In the B2B space, companies like InspireBeats offer comprehensive services to help you identify and engage potential users. By conducting these interviews, you can gather detailed insights into what features and functionalities your app should have, ensuring that it resonates with your target market.

Potential Pitfalls of Large Initial Traffic

One common mistake developers make is overestimating the initial traffic they can attract. While a large number of users can provide a wealth of data, it also means that if they don't find the app satisfying, the fallout can be significant. Users who leave the app feeling disappointed are unlikely to return, which can harm your app's reputation and make it harder to regain their trust later. Therefore, it's essential to focus on quality traffic rather than quantity, ensuring that every user can provide meaningful feedback and support your app's development.

Conclusion

Acquiring initial traffic for A/B testing your new mobile app is crucial, but it's equally important to do so strategically. Whether you choose to involve friends and family, use landing pages, or hire professional customer development companies, the key is to focus on quality over quantity. This approach will help you refine your app, gather genuine user feedback, and ensure its success in the market.