There are many and by many I mean countless websites that review and discuss iPhone Apps. This is the best way to get exposure for little or no cost. Most of these websites offer free reviews as long as you cover the cost of your app which you can do by giving them a redeem code to download it from iTunes. Some of the more premium websites that have higher traffic ratings may charge a small fee for placement on their site. Below is a list of the review websites I believe you MUST have your app talked about on.
Having your app(s) listed on these websites will help your App and Development company get listed higher in search engines. Speaking from experience, many apps I have reviewed have a link from my website when you search for them by name. The search engines often rank the relevance of something based on how many inbound links there are coming to it. If you have a website for your app, you need to have people linking to it. This is another good reason to have your app reviewed by the sites listed below and are not listed in any importance or rank. I suggest starting with the most popular sites first and working your way down as you submit your app for review.
Reviews of your app are also good because a review will consist of a few paragraphs mentioning your app again and again by name. This is great for the search engines. Some of the listings below I have included the direct link to submit your app. Others will require you to email the website owner or writer and suggest your app.
Of course I am going to plug my own website but before you cast the first stone think about this. The App Podcast receives a ton of web traffic and Podcast viewership in iTunes. I have worked very hard to obtain this viewership. The App Podcast does video reviews of your app which is what sets it apart from the rest of the review websites. The App Podcast does a video walk through of your app showcasing it’s main features for the viewers. It is then up to the viewer to purchase or download your app based on what they have seen. The App Podcast releases front page featured app reviews daily during the week and many more apps on the weekend. The App Podcast has over 600 video app reviews currently. Viewers can suggest an app be reviewed also. Being that the reviews are video and take a great deal of time to produce there is currently a minimum charge of $5.00 plus a redeem code for your app in order to review it. This is a small cost to have a video review from a non-bias individual review your app, post it online and on a popular podcast.
Website: https://tech.jeradhill.com
Submit Your App: https://tech.jeradhill.com/submit-an-app-for-review
Suggest An App: https://tech.jeradhill.com/suggest
2. FreshApps
FreshApps.Com has a very nice looking and easy to navigate website. Most of the content from what I can tell is pulled from the App Store’s information but hey it’s still an external listing which is what we are looking for. You can create an account and add your own app or any app for that matter. One of the features I like is the ability to add freshness (ranking) to each app.
Website: http://freshapps.com
Submit Your App: http://www.freshapps.com/add/
3. AppVee
AppVee is one of the only other websites that offers video reviews. Most of their apps have both video and written reviews which is great. Recently they have added Android reviews as well so if you are thinking about reaching out into that market they can handle both platforms. AppVee has an easy to navigate website that is a bit cluttered but provides good thorough reviews of each app.
Website: http://appvee.com
Submit Your App: http://www.appvee.com/dev_contact.php
4. iPhone Alley
iPhone Alley has reviews on pretty much everything iPhone related. If you have a video created for your app they will list that with the review of your app. iPhone Alley has a nice blog with iPhone related tips and news. Another great feature is their forum which I suggest you sign up for and at the very least introduce yourself and your app in one of the forum rooms. Forums are a great place to post information about your app to get others to talk about it. Take advantage of iPhone Alley’s forum and great written reviews. The confirmation email when you sign up seems to take a while to get there but be patient it took 30 minutes for me to get mine.
Website: http://iphonealley.com
Request a review of your app: http://www.iphonealley.com/contact
I am not 100% sure how to get them to review your app aside from emailing them but their reviews are good and their website is VERY popular. Though you may not be able to get them to review their app I suggest giving it a try, you never know. If you do get them to look at your app then you will see a lot of traffic come to your app.
Website: http://gizmodo.com/tag/iphone-apps-directory/
Gizmodo’s Email Address: [email protected]
iPhone App Reviews is another great site to submit your app to for review. The reviews are well written and they include many screen shots to give the viewer a good idea of what to expect from your app. All they ask for is a redeem code for your app and a few to give away to their readers. A small donation would probably speed up the review process and is a good way to help support their efforts.
Website: http://iphoneappreviews.net
Submit Your App: http://www.iphoneappreviews.net/request-a-review/
7. Ars Technica
Ars Technica is another big name site that gets a lot of traffic and reviews iPhone Apps. If you can get your app on here you are in good shape but it will be hard. Their reviews are well written, my guess is that real journalists actually do these reviews. This is why I opted to do video reviews on my website, I hate writing. You can contact them by email to suggest that they review your app.
Website: http://arstechnica.com/apple/iphone/apps/
Ars Technica’s Email Address: [email protected]
The Apple iPhone School is a clean looking website with a lot of content ranging from App Reviews to News and other good stuff. Their site puts a lot of focus on jailbreaking your phone but they do reviews so who cares. I suggest submitting your app for review regardless.
Website: http://appleiphoneschool.com
Submit Your App: http://appleiphoneschool.com/contact
What’s On iPhone has a ton of reviews and multiple writers. From what I read most of the reviews are well written and outline the main features of the app well. They include screenshots, pricing and category info. If you want to write for them they are currently looking for additional writers. With tons of categories, reviews and additional information What’s On iPhone is a good site and you should submit to it.
Website: http://whatsoniphone.com
Contact Form: http://www.whatsoniphone.com/contact
10. I Use This
I Use This works a bit different, you can submit your app and post your own information. Users can then click “I Use This” on the website which increases in number similar to Diggs on Digg.com. I Use This lists much more then iPhone Apps but also Mac and PC apps. This is a great way to keep a community of users updated on your app. I would also add a widget or link to your website so people can go to I Use This and click the I Use This link. If you want an actual review you could ask your users to post their own reviews of the app in the comments.
Website: http://iphone.iusethis.com
Submit Your App: http://iphone.iusethis.com/app/add
11. iPhone Toolbox
iPhone Toolbox has short descriptions of apps including links to download them. Everything is categorized and there is a screenshot of your app posted as well. People can comment on the app and give them their own rating as well.
Website: http://iphonetoolbox.com/
Submit Your App: http://iphonetoolbox.com/submit/
12. AppleTell.Com
AppTell has a ton of news but also a lot of app reviews. From what I can tell you just submit your app through a contact form. The reviews are written well, are lengthy and have good quality screen shots.
Website: http://www.appletell.com/apple/archives/category/iphone-sdk/
Submit Your App: http://www.appletell.com/apple/contact/
13. 148Apps
148Apps is a great review site which boasts lengthy reviews and screenshots. 148Apps name comes from the limit that the iPhone has as to the amount of apps that can be installed at once. 148Apps also lists Sales on Apps. 148Apps has several writers ready to review your app so wait times should be short.
Website: http://www.148apps.com
Submit Your App: http://www.148apps.com/about/
14. MacApper
I have been following the MacApper blog for a long time because of their good reviews on Mac Apps, they have been reviewing iPhone Apps for a while now as well. They do not post a whole lot of iPhone App Reviews but they do post reviews on apps that are good apps. I do not believe their goal is to review as many apps as possible and provide a resource, they only desire to review apps worth owning. So if your app is worth owning I would contact them and suggest they review your app. If you get on their website then you can expect to see an increase in downloads for sure. I would draft up a nice email to them and include some redeem codes for them and any one close to them they may wish to share them with. They also have advertising opportunities on their website which seem to yield decent results.
Website: http://macapper.com/category/iphone-apps/
Contact Form: http://macapper.com/contact-us/#contactform
15. iLounge
iLounge has been around for a long time and is known for great mac info and accessories. They also review Apps and you can submit your app for review. The iLounge website gets a ton of traffic and has a busy forum as well. I would suggest going into the forum and introducing yourself at the very least.
Website: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/software/iphone/
Submit Your App: http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/software/iphone-submit/
16. iPod Touch Fans
iPod Touch Fans is a forum so this will work a bit differently. I would start with joining, then post a thread on your app. The next thing I would do is look for forum members who seem to be quite popular and send them redeem codes for your app. Ask them to review your app under the thread you made or they could start their own thread if they wish. The nice thing about the forum is that you can return and post updates about your app and keep their community informed. Of course this is a iPod Touch website so posting iPhone only apps would not be wise.
Website: http://www.ipodtouchfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=132
17. App Craver
AppCraver is a review website with news and troubleshooting information. Submitting your app for review is as simple as visiting their contact form. AppCraver’s reviews are well written and include several screenshots. If you have a video for your app they will post that as well. Overall AppCraver has a nice site and ranks well in Google.
Website: http://www.appcraver.com
Submit Your App: http://www.appcraver.com/contact/
18. iFones
Another good ranking website is iFones.Com. Their site is lacking a bit in design the blog view gets a bit messed up because of the ads that are placed in the reviews (simple wordpress error with the plugin being used) but never the less they rank well in Google. The reviews that are written for the apps are very good. I just read the review for Zagat To Go and found it very useful.
Website: http://ifones.com/
iFones.Com Email Address: [email protected]
19. iCali.Tv
For those of you who don’t know, Cali and her husband run the Geek Brief Podcast. I have been watching the briefs for a long time, Cali is funny, informative and um… Cute! On her website iCali.Tv she reviews apps and talks about the iPhone. You will have to contact her and ask that your app be reviewed. This may not guarantee you a review but be persistent. Give her a redeem code (who doesn’t like free apps), and email her some information on how to use it. If she really likes the app then she may even talk about it on their podcast which is very popular.
Website: http://icali.tv/
Contact Form: http://icali.tv/contact
The iPhone App Review has very nicely written reviews and a clean looking website. Their website also offers inexpensive advertising space. The owner of this website seems to have the right idea when it comes to running an app review site. He does not see himself in competition with other review sites but as another resource for App enthusiasts out there. I highly recommend contacting The iPhone App Review and submitting your app for a written review.
Website: http://theiphoneappreview.com
Submission Email: [email protected]
21. Touch Arcade
TouchArcade holds the gaming niche when it comes to iPhone and iPod Touch games. Their reviews are well written, provide screen shots and sometimes video if it’s available. They have a forum for game discussion and from first glance it appears that their reviews receive a decent amount of interaction from the readers.
Website: http://toucharcade.com/
Submission Email: [email protected]
As time goes by I am sure more review sites will come up. I will post more as I become aware of them. Do you know of a great review site I forgot to list? If so, let me know in the comment box below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.