5 Things I Do Before Publishing an App

You'll learn five crucial steps I take before launching any React Native app to avoid costly mistakes and ensure a smooth user experience. I share lessons learned from a painful launch where a bug blocked paying customers and how I fixed it with better preparation.

If you are building or about to publish an app, this checklist will help you pick a unique name, set up over-the-air updates, track user analytics, build a landing page, and create a strong brand. These steps improve discoverability, trust, and user retention.

What's inside

• Research a unique and searchable app name
• Set up over-the-air (OTA) updates
• Track analytics and onboarding flow
• Build a landing page to showcase your app
• Create a strong logo and consistent branding
• Walk through the entire user journey before launch
• Bonus: Add a contact support button

Research a unique and searchable app name

A unique app name is critical for discoverability. I learned this the hard way when I launched an app called "AI Tattoo Generator." It was impossible to find because hundreds of similar apps shared the same keywords. I renamed it to "Inkigo," a short, memorable name that ranks first in search results.

My naming rules now are: keep it short (3 to 10 letters), easy to remember, pronounce, and type. Always Google the name first to check for existing uses and domain availability. Also, include searchable keywords in the app subtitle to help users find your app by relevant terms.

Set up over-the-air (OTA) updates

OTA updates let you push bug fixes directly to users without waiting for app store reviews. Since I build with React Native, I use OTA to download and apply updates in the background, which users get the next time they open the app.

This is a lifesaver because app store reviews can take days, and waiting while your app is broken costs downloads and revenue. Although you can request expedited reviews from Apple, I don’t rely on that. I have a separate video on OTA updates linked in the description if you want to learn more.

Track analytics and onboarding flow

Analytics are essential to understand how users interact with your app. You can’t just wait for emails reporting bugs or feature requests. Track key events like how many users start and finish onboarding, where they drop off, sign-ups, paywall hits, purchases, and whether paying users access paid features.

I personally use Vexor for analytics, but tools like Posthog or Firebase work well too. The tool matters less than the habit of tracking. Analytics give you concrete data to improve your app instead of guessing.

Build a landing page to showcase your app

The app store page is limited, so a landing page gives you more space to explain your app’s value, show screenshots, video demos, testimonials, pricing, FAQs, and privacy info. It builds trust and encourages downloads.

A landing page is also useful before your app is ready. You can collect emails, validate demand, and build an audience early. I use Lovable to build landing pages with no code, including email waitlist forms and backend. It’s great for non-technical founders who want to move fast.

Create a strong logo and consistent branding

First impressions matter. Your app doesn’t need to look like it came from Apple, but it must feel real and trustworthy. I always launch with a clean logo, consistent colors, and a good icon.

My branding rules: pick a small color palette used consistently across the icon, landing page, and app. Keep the icon minimal and clean since it appears small. It’s okay if your icon resembles other high-quality apps because that association builds trust. Study successful apps in your niche for inspiration, not copying.

Walk through the entire user journey before launch

Before going live, I test the entire user flow with a fresh mindset: search the app on Google, visit the landing page, evaluate the offer, download the app, watch the demo video, complete onboarding, pay, and confirm paid features work.

This reveals confusing or broken parts that users will notice too. Fixing these before launch prevents bad reviews and lost customers.

Bonus: Add a contact support button

A contact button saved me multiple times. After my first paying user encountered a bug, they emailed me directly. I fixed the issue quickly and avoided a refund or bad review.

A contact button won’t fix bugs, but it lets users report problems before leaving one-star reviews. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep customers happy.

Resources

CourseReact Native course

Master fundamentals and shipping apps with lifetime access.