In performance marketing, efficiency is the name of the game. You have to make the most out of your time and resources to achieve the best possible results. One strategy that can be a real game-changer when promoting gambling, dating, crypto, or any other type of grayhat offer is using mobile apps.
Instead of spending time cloaking ad campaigns, buying proxies, and managing multiple accounts which at the end of the day might get banned, you can promote your own whitehat mobile apps or games and later advertise grayhat offers to users who download them.
Now developing an app from scratch, getting it approved, and launching it on the app store can be hectic. A better solution is renting an existing app and integrating your promotions. This lets you focus on running ads to increase users and generating revenue from affiliate offers. You can place ads within the app or send push notifications to direct users to your offer page.
A major benefit of using apps is the ability to hide grayhat offers. When promoting these apps on Facebook, TikTok or Google UAC Ads, moderators won't realize they're used to advertise grayhat content through ads or push notifications. This strategy is more useful to affiliates promoting casino, dating, and crypto offers.
In this article, we'll dive deep into the app rental business model, exploring how it works, the costs involved, and where you can find the best apps for rent. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how renting apps can simplify your affiliate marketing strategy and help you achieve your goals more efficiently.
What does renting an app mean in affiliate marketing?
As mentioned above, when we talk about "renting an app" in the context of affiliate marketing, it means that instead of creating an app yourself, you pay a developer, a company, or an app owner a subscription fee to use their app. This approach offers several advantages and is particularly useful for affiliate marketers.
As long as you keep paying the fee, you have access to the app and can use it to promote your offers. The developer takes care of all the technical aspects, such as ensuring the app works smoothly and doesn't crash, allowing you to focus on driving traffic and optimizing your campaigns. This means you don't have to worry about the technical side of things and can dedicate your time to what you do best—marketing and generating revenue.
Renting an app is a smart way to get your offers in front of a targeted audience quickly and efficiently. While some affiliate programs provide their own apps for you to use, those apps might not have the specific features you need or offer a wide range of options. By renting an app, you can choose one that perfectly fits your requirements and helps you achieve your marketing goals more effectively.
Creating your own app or hiring someone to build a custom app for you can be a long and complicated process. Even if it gets approved, there's always the risk of it getting banned from the app store later on, as app stores are becoming stricter about this kind of activity. When you rent an app, you get a ready-to-use solution that allows you to start driving traffic right away. This eliminates the need to go through the lengthy approval process and reduces the risk of getting banned, making it a more reliable and efficient option for affiliate marketers.
How does renting an app work in affiliate marketing?
Renting an app for affiliate marketing purposes works just like any other rental agreement. You find an app that meets your requirements, pay for it for a specified period (which can be extended as needed), and you're good to go. If the app gets banned, the developer will either refund your money or provide you with a new app to use, ensuring that your traffic flow remains uninterrupted.
The most popular type of app for affiliate marketing is the WebView app. WebView is a technology that enables website content to be displayed within a mobile app, allowing users to view it directly in the app. This is crucial for seamlessly integrating different services. The great thing about WebView apps is that users install them through app stores and tend to trust them more than traditional websites.
WebView apps are effective for driving traffic in any vertical, but they are particularly well-suited for gambling, dating, and crypto offers. For example, when it comes to gambling, gamblers prefer using mobile casinos. When a user sees an ad for a new slot game with an enticing welcome bonus, the quickest way for them to try it out is to click on the ad and install the app. As a result, affiliate marketers find that promoting gambling offers through mobile apps is a highly effective strategy.
The pros and cons of renting apps for affiliate marketers
Renting apps can be an incredibly convenient way for affiliate marketers to drive traffic. There are several significant advantages to this approach:
- You can focus on the actual marketing instead of worrying about technical details like going through Google's approval process or dealing with code. The app developers handle all of that for you.
- You don't risk getting permanently banned. If one of the apps you're renting encounters issues, you can simply replace it with another one.
- Rented apps are often designed to work across different geos and languages, making it easy to adapt them for various markets.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to be aware of:
- Since you're not the one developing the app, any changes or adjustments have to go through the developer. This can slow things down if you need to make changes quickly.
- If many affiliates are using the same rented app, it might get banned more quickly. Sometimes, it only takes a few weeks before it gets taken down.
- To choose the right rental option, you usually have to rely on reviews from other affiliates. It's crucial to thoroughly research and vet the providers before committing.
- Rented apps may come with certain rules or restrictions that limit how you can use them to drive traffic, which can sometimes be a challenge.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that apps can be hit with bans unexpectedly, often due to user complaints or Google cracking down on the Play Store. This can happen to any gambling app, not just rentals, but it's still something to be aware of.
How much does it cost to rent apps?
The cost of renting apps can vary based on several key factors, primarily the pricing structure of the rental service.
Some rental services charge per download or installation. The more times the app is installed, the lower the cost per download tends to be. As a general guideline, if you're getting up to 10,000 app downloads per week, you can expect to pay around $0.10 per download. However, the exact price can vary between different service providers.
Other app rental plans work differently, charging a flat weekly or monthly fee regardless of the number of app installations. With these fixed-fee plans, you're typically looking at around $30 per week to rent a single app. The good news is that if you need to rent multiple apps, you can often negotiate a discounted rate.
Platforms where you can rent apps for affiliate marketing
When renting apps, it's important to be cautious and choose a reputable provider. The best ones are usually those that have been in business for a while and have established a solid customer base and positive reviews. Let's take a closer look at a few of the top app rental services.
1. AppDelivery
AppDelivery is a service that rents and sells WebView apps for iOS, primarily for gambling and betting. It stands out because it offers built-in cloaking and is optimized for Reg2Dep campaigns.
With AppDelivery, you can quickly create, rent, and launch apps for affiliate marketing in just a few steps:
- Register and select your options.
- Set up cloaking and pre-landing, then obtain a link to direct traffic.
- Launch your campaign.
In addition to the basics, AppDelivery provides domain rentals, push notifications, unrestricted geo-targeting, and a feature called Delivery Link. This feature automatically redirects users to your site, allowing you to track their actions without requiring their permission. The minimum deposit to start using AppDelivery is $100, and the cost is $0.20 per installation, depending on the subscription plan.
2. Mira
Mira offers more than 500 apps for rent, primarily in the gambling and betting niches.
Some benefits of using Mira include:
- A guarantee that the apps won't get banned.
- A large selection of designs.
- Responsive customer support.
- Good conversion rates and quality traffic.
The service starts at $0.09 per install for up to 8,000 installations per week.
Things to consider before renting an app: Advice for affiliate marketers
Before you reach out to a service to rent an app, there are several important factors to consider that will help you get the best results:
- App design and aesthetics: People who enjoy online gambling tend to be passionate, so the visual appeal of the app will be a key factor in whether they choose to download it. Imagery and symbols associated with a luxurious lifestyle and good fortune tend to work well for gambling apps. This includes things like attractive women, fancy cars, the number seven, treasure and jewels, and depictions of the excitement that comes with a big jackpot win.
- Current install base: Ideally, you want to choose an app that has been downloaded fewer than 5,000 times. If an app already has a very high number of downloads, it likely means there are many affiliates who have used it before.
- User reviews and ratings: Since gambling apps deal with real money, it's important to make sure that the vast majority of user reviews are positive. Look for apps with high ratings and satisfied customers.
- Download size: The best apps are 50 MB or smaller. This ensures that users can download the app quickly even if they have a slow internet connection.
- Language and localization: If you're promoting the app in multiple geos, double-check that the user interface is properly translated and localized for each market.
Tips for optimizing your rented app campaigns
Once you've rented an app and are ready to start promoting your offers, there are several best practices to keep in mind to maximize your results:
- Use compelling ad copy and visuals: Your ads should grab users' attention and entice them to download the app. Use eye-catching images and persuasive language that highlights the key benefits of your offer.
- Target the right audience: Make sure you're targeting users who are most likely to be interested in your offer. Use demographic and interest-based targeting to reach the right people.
- Test different ad formats: Experiment with different ad formats, such as banner ads, interstitial ads, and native ads, to see which ones perform best for your target audience.
- Optimize your landing pages: Your landing pages should be designed to convert. Make sure they load quickly, are mobile-responsive, and clearly communicate the value of your offer.
- Monitor your metrics closely: Keep a close eye on your key performance indicators, such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on ad spend. Use this data to continually optimize your campaigns and improve your results over time.
- Stay compliant with regulations: Grayhat offers like gambling are heavily regulated, so it's important to ensure that your campaigns comply with all relevant laws and regulations in the countries you're targeting. This may include obtaining necessary licenses, displaying responsible gambling messages, and adhering to age restrictions.
- Diversify your offers: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Promote a variety of gambling offers to spread your risk and maximize your potential earnings.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends: The online gambling industry is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay on top of the latest trends and best practices. Attend industry conferences, join affiliate marketing communities, and read industry publications to stay informed.
Common mistakes to avoid when renting apps for affiliate marketing
While renting apps can be a highly effective strategy for promoting gambling offers, there are also some common pitfalls to watch out for:
- Failing to research the app rental provider: Not all app rental providers are created equal. Some may offer low-quality apps or have poor customer support. Be sure to thoroughly vet any provider before committing to renting an app from them.
- Neglecting to test the app before launching your campaign: Always test the app yourself before promoting it to your audience. Make sure it functions smoothly, loads quickly, and provides a good user experience.
- Targeting the wrong audience: If you're not targeting the right people, your campaigns are unlikely to be successful. Take the time to research your target audience and create buyer personas to guide your targeting strategy.
- Using misleading or deceptive ad copy: While it's important to create compelling ads, it's equally important to ensure that your ads are truthful and not misleading. Using deceptive tactics can damage your reputation and lead to account bans.
- Ignoring compliance requirements: Failing to comply with gambling regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines and legal action. Make sure you understand and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations in the countries you're targeting.
- Not tracking your metrics: Without tracking your key performance indicators, you won't know what's working and what's not. Make sure you have a robust tracking system in place to monitor your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.
- Overrelying on a single app or offer: Diversification is key in affiliate marketing. Don't put all your eggs in one basket by relying too heavily on a single app or offer. Promote a variety of apps and offers to spread your risk and maximize your potential earnings.
Conclusion
Renting gambling apps can be a highly profitable long-term investment strategy for affiliate marketers. It's significantly more cost-effective than developing your own apps from scratch or purchasing them outright. The key to success is partnering with a reputable rental service and following best practices for optimizing your campaigns.
By carefully selecting the right apps, targeting the appropriate audience, and continuously monitoring and refining your approach, you can effectively drive high-quality traffic and generate substantial revenue from your gambling offers.
As the mobile gambling market continues to expand, having a strong presence in the app stores will only become more important. By leveraging the power of app rentals, you can stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for long-term success in this exciting and dynamic industry.
