How long does an app launch take?
It can take up to two weeks for your app to be approved and go live. During this time, Subsplash staff handles the communication with the app stores and helps prepare your app to go live on all platforms at the same time.
Apple will send emails to you during this time but you can ignore these emails. Check out Received an email from Apple? to learn more about Apple emails during the app review.
So, what should you do during this time? You've worked hard to build your app and get it submitted to the stores. Now it's time to share it! Use this checklist to help you plan a great app launch.
Two to Four Weeks Before Launch:
Create Hype: Tell the church body an app is coming soon! Generate excitement and start sharing some of the benefits of an app.
Make a Plan: Sit down with your team and plan how you can have a great launch.
Get Creative: What can your team do to make your app launch special? Ideas include a skit, create promo materials, or having trained volunteers to help people download the app after church.
One Week Before Launch:
Soft launch: Go live with your app at least a week before your launch. Ask a few staff members, family, or friends to download the app and give you feedback. This will give you time to make sure the app is polished and you’re ready for the big day!
Set up notification groups: Notification groups are a great way to make sure you aren't sending notifications to your users unnecessarily and that the notifications go to those who need to see them. Setting them up before launch is a great way to ensure people get connected well from the start.
Contact Us! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions as you're preparing to launch! We want you to have a successful launch day, so if there’s anything we can do to help make it a success, let us know.
Launch Day:
Make an announcement: The day has arrived! Announce it from the stage and make sure to hit on the key benefits of using the app. Generate excitement.
Share the why: This is your big opportunity to communicate the app’s value to your congregation in person. Explain why your congregation should download the app.
Project your slide: Project the promo slide from your launch packet before and after church.
Lend a helping hand: Have a small team on point at a welcome desk or outside the sanctuary who can help people download the app or answer questions.
Promote notifications: Announce that you have Push Notifications! The congregation should opt into notifications in general, as well as notification groups, to keep up-to-date on announcements, content, and events.
Go online: Feature your app on your website and link to your App Promo Page.
The Week After Launch:
Get social: Share a sermon or event from your app on Facebook or Twitter. Users can download your app directly from the share page when they watch the sermon!
Send notifications: Push Notifications are a great way to make sure people know about upcoming events, new content, or last minute changes. Send a few notifications that will be beneficial for your users.
Going Forward:
Keep up the good work: Make sure to upload sermons and add new events or other content regularly. If someone new will be maintaining the app, make sure they have a Subsplash Dashboard account and are equipped to keep the app up-to-date. Remember that any changes you make in the dashboard are instantly available to your users!
Stay in the loop: Keep an eye on Subsplash’s new features on the Dashboard or through our blog. We’re always releasing new features and updates!
Continue leveraging your Push Notifications: Utilize Push Notifications to keep your congregation up to date on events or to encourage them throughout the week. Push Notifications are an excellent platform for sending devotionals.
Share on Sunday: Remind people at church that they can use the app to access their Bibles, connect cards, bulletins, prayer request forms, and giving links. This is a great way to encourage engagement and to let visitors or occasional attendees know about the app.