As a game developer, you know the importance of advertising your mobile game in order to attract new players and grow your user base. But with so many advertising options available, it can be overwhelming to determine the best approach for your game. In this article, we’ll explore the different costs associated with advertising a mobile game and help you understand how to choose the most effective option for your needs.
Cost of Advertising on Social Media Platforms
One of the most popular options for advertising a mobile game is through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These platforms offer various ad formats, including banner ads, video ads, and carousel ads, which can be targeted to specific audiences based on their interests, age, gender, and location.
The cost of advertising on these platforms varies depending on several factors, including the competition for ad space in your industry, the relevance of your ad to the target audience, and the quality of your creative assets. In general, the more targeted and engaging your ad is, the higher the click-through rate (CTR) will be, which can lead to lower costs per impression (CPM).
For example, a study by AdEspresso found that the average CTR for Facebook ads in the gaming industry is around 0.9%. This means that for every 1,000 impressions of your ad, you can expect around 9 clicks. Based on this data, the average cost per click (CPC) for mobile game ads on Facebook is around $0.45.
Cost of Advertising with Influencer Marketing
Another popular option for advertising a mobile game is through influencer marketing. By partnering with influential gamers or content creators, you can reach new audiences and gain credibility for your game.
The cost of influencer marketing can vary widely depending on the popularity and engagement level of the influencer, as well as the duration and scope of the partnership. Influencers may charge a fixed fee for their services, or they may request a percentage of sales generated from their promotion of your game.
According to a survey by Influencer Marketing Hub, the average cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM) for influencer marketing in the gaming industry is around $25. This means that for every 1,000 times your ad is displayed to an audience, you can expect to pay around $25.
Cost of App Store Optimization (ASO)
In addition to advertising, there are several other strategies that game developers can use to increase the visibility and downloads of their mobile games. One of the most effective of these is app store optimization (ASO), which involves optimizing the title, description, keywords, and visual assets of your app to improve its search ranking in app stores.
While ASO is not a paid advertising strategy, it can still have a significant impact on the visibility and downloads of your game. According to a study by MobileDevHQ, the top 10% of apps in the App Store have an average conversion rate of around 2.5%, meaning that for every 100 users who click on your app icon, you can expect 2.5 downloads.
Cost of User Acquisition (UA)
Finally, it’s important to consider the cost of user acquisition (UA), which is the amount of money it costs to acquire a new user for your game. This includes both advertising costs and any other costs associated with acquiring users, such as incentivizing downloads through promotions or referral programs.
The cost of UA can vary widely depending on several factors, including the competition in your industry, the quality of your app, and the effectiveness of your marketing strategies. In general, the more you invest in advertising and other marketing efforts, the lower the cost per acquisition will be.
Summary
In conclusion, there are many different costs associated with advertising a mobile game, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. To determine the most effective advertising strategy for your game, it’s important to consider your budget, target audience, and overall goals.