The Secret Weapon Every Top App Should Use (Hint: It’s Not in the App Store)
Relying only on the App Store severely limits your app’s reach, discoverability, and brand control.
As an app founder who’s managed to get over 350,000 downloads of my app, I’ve found that many founders ignore or don’t understand the true power of an app’s website.
We recently launched a re-design of our app’s website for Magic Lasso Adblock at https://www.magiclasso.co/ as it was becoming a more and more valuable asset for our ongoing growth.
Here are the top 5 reasons why having a website is essential for any app-based business:
1. Enhanced Discoverability Through SEO
🔍 Why it matters: People Google before they search the App Store.
A website lets you rank on search engines, helping potential users discover your app through organic searches. App Store listings may not show up prominently on Google — but your website can.
2. Credibility & Trust-Building
🛡️ Why it matters: Users are skeptical of apps with no web presence.
A well-designed website lends legitimacy to your app, providing a central hub for testimonials, reviews, press coverage, and detailed feature explanations that build user trust before they download.
3. Freedom to Market Beyond the App Store
📣 Why it matters: App Stores limit how you tell your story.
Your website allows long-form content, videos, customer stories, landing pages, lead magnets, and much more — enabling smarter campaigns (SEO, paid ads, email, etc.) with better tracking and conversions.
4. Own Your User Relationships
📧 Why it matters: The App Store controls the customer — you don’t.
With a website, you can build an email list, offer downloadable content, and re-engage users directly without depending on App Store algorithms or policies. It’s a vital channel for long-term retention.
5. Analytics, Data, and Flexibility
📊 Why it matters: App Store metrics are limited.
A website gives you deep insights into who your visitors are, where they’re coming from, and how they interact with your content — enabling more data-driven product and marketing decisions.
While app stores are essential for distribution, relying on them alone is a risky strategy.
A dedicated website boosts discoverability, builds trust, gives you marketing freedom, and lets you own your user relationships — all critical for long-term app growth and brand success.
Despite some conventional wisdom, we’ve found that our app’s website is now a key asset in our app’s marketing – reducing our reliance on Apple’s App Store and allowing us to own a key pillar for our ongoing growth.
P.S. If you've got any feedback on your new website's design, I'd love to hear it. Comment below or email us at [email protected]
