As I’ve discussed before, selling your mobile and tablet apps through your own website can help avoid Apple’s hefty 30% cut from your revenues. In addition, it also helps you get more customer data (including a credit card number, which Apple never gives you).But in case you don’t’ have the manpower or tech support to set up an app authorization and tracking system through your own website, you have another option.Apple now lets publishers get more marketing data from iPad app subscribers by offering customers “bonus time.” In short, publishers create a “Marketing Opt-In” (see below). If app subscribers opt to share their name, email address and zip code with you, they are given bonus free time with the app before the first initial subscription charge.
A few caveats: The “bonus time” feature seems to only be available for apps sold through Apple’s Newsstand (i.e., apps for the iPad, not the iPhone). And you still don’t get a credit card number.However, Apple does test credit cards before a subscription renewal and tries to get new expiration dates, if needed. And you can also offer a free trial through any of your apps. To learn the exact details, check out this week’s How-To “Selling Subscription Apps through Apple” on Subscription Site Insider.
