Why Soft Launching Your App is Non-Negotiable
Want to avoid wasting thousands on an app that flops? Soft launching is your secret weapon.
In a recent App Nation video, Steve P. Young (founder of App Masters) reveals the exact countries to soft launch in for cheap traffic, strong monetization, and Apple feature potential.
Here’s why smart developers never skip this step—and how to do it right.
What I am going to share today is a part of a module from a full-blown course that we have on AppMasters Academy where we show you everything you need to do to soft launch your app. The strategies we share there allow you to ensure that you don’t spend thousands of dollars building an app which nobody wants or build one which has the ability to succeed but you fail to set yourself up for that optimal success. A soft launch done well can also land you an Apple feature.
Here’s what we are looking for in finding a country to soft launch in:
- Cheap traffic
- Monetizes like the big countries like US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan, China
Run Facebook ads in these countries to get them to download your games. You don’t need to spend a lot of money (maybe just $2k – 5k) to get you to a decent ranking and then use the screenshots for social proof or leverage these metrics when you are ready to go worldwide.
The 3 Best Countries to Soft Launch Your App (2024)
For maximum impact at minimum cost, target these markets:
1. Philippines
✅ Why? Cheap installs, high engagement, monetizes like Western countries.
✅ Bonus: Easier to rank in top charts (great for social proof!).
2. Norway & Sweden (Nordic Powerhouses)
✅ Why? Users spend like the US—but traffic costs 50-70% less.
✅ Proven Results: One developer hit #2 in Card Games & #5 in Word Games in these markets with just $2K-$5K in ads.
🚫 Avoid Canada (The Outdated Choice)
-
Myth: Canada is still a good soft launch market.
-
Reality: Traffic is now expensive—save it for your global launch.
3 Huge Benefits of a Smart Soft Launch
1️⃣ Test Monetization → Do users pay like Western audiences?
2️⃣ Optimize Retention → Fix bugs before global release.
3️⃣ Build Social Proof → Screenshot top rankings to pitch Apple/Google for features.
Real Example: Steve’s team landed an Apple feature in May by soft launching strategically.
Actionable Soft Launch Strategy
🔥 Step 1: Launch in Philippines + 1-2 Nordic countries (Norway/Sweden).
🔥 Step 2: Run small Facebook/Google Ads campaigns ($2K-$5K total).
🔥 Step 3: Track retention, monetization, and rankings.
🔥 Step 4: Use top-chart screenshots to pitch Apple/Google for features.
What to Test During Your Soft Launch
(Teaser for Steve’s next video!)
-
Usability (Are users confused?)
-
Retention (Do they come back?)
-
Monetization (Will they pay?)
-
Hidden Growth Levers (Stay tuned!)
Want the Full Soft Launch Blueprint?
This was just one module from App Masters Academy’s full soft launch course, covering:
-
Exact ad strategies for cheap installs
-
Data-backed country selection
-
How to pitch Apple/Google for features
👉 Get the full course at AppMastersAcademy.com
What countries should you focus on? Here they are:
- Philippines
- Denmark
- Finland
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
Do not launch in Canada as they are no longer cheap. Save it for the worldwide release.
Get Full Soft-Launch Course:
http://www.appmastersacademy.com/
Final Thoughts: Soft Launch or Risk Failure
Big studios never skip soft launches—why should you? By starting small in the right markets, you:
✔️ Save money (fix issues before global spend)
✔️ Boost credibility (rankings = social proof)
✔️ Unlock features (Apple/Google notice success)
Next Steps:
-
Pick 2-3 soft launch countries (Philippines + Nordic).
-
Allocate a test budget ($2K-$5K).
-
Join App Masters Academy for the full strategy.
Tried soft launching? Share your results below! 🚀
