As soon as I registered for Square they gave me the option to have the download link texted to me. It is actually really hard to find Android apps even when you know the name.
If you are selling a mobile app and you have a website chances are much higher that I’m going to download your app if you text it to me. Making things easier on the user always increases conversion. This is something you can easily pull off with Twilio.
The other thing you can do is put up a QR code on your website but yea texting is probably better cuz not every phone has a barcode scanner.
The QR code reader on my droid never seems to work on the first try.
I think having a phone number field might scare my users off. They could get worried about me spam texting them.
Yes, you would need to make it very clear that it is 1 of 2 options. They can either get it texted to them or they can click on the icon and download it, like square.
Also, just like email fields you can put some text that says “we will only text you once”.
I’d be pretty paranoid about giving out my number. “We will only text you once” doesn’t mean “you will only receive one text”. I’d suggest adding a second bullet point: “We will not store or share your number.”
Personally I think its becoming more important now, but if you ask most app developer – counting on a website to get downloads doesn’t work well. The conversion is pretty bad so this is a good way to help, but most app devs don’t get downloads from their website.
It is a good point though everyone should be doing this.
I agree with you.
If you are getting a lot of press chances are they are going to link it to your main website.
Twilio looks great but doesn’t support international.
Try out http://www.tropo.com like Mark mentioned in the comments.
@DMG – Just FYI, Tropo (http://tropo.com/) does support international calling and SMS right out of the box.
Good call Mark. I have never heard of Tropo. Thanks.