How Mobile Apps Make Money in Dubai?

Apart from the skyline and luxury, Dubai is famous for what? The growing tech hub with global popularity.

The tech-savvy population is increasing in the UAE, and with that, their demand for convenience is also at its all-time high. This has made businesses in Dubai invest in mobile app development.

Now, these mobile apps for businesses have become a powerhouse for earning money as they start utilizing the mobile app monetization strategies.

If you are new to these strategies and want to know about them in detail so that you can utilise them too, then you are at the right place.

In this blog, you will get a detailed discussion on how mobile apps make money in Dubai.

Let’s get started.

What is Mobile App Monetization?

Mobile app monetization encompasses several strategies that enable the mobile app owner to generate a steady stream of revenue growth. You must back your app with several solid revenue strategies so that it can generate income for your business.

You cannot expect the app you have created, investing a fortune in it, to earn money for you automatically. Your app can generate upfront revenue when the audience downloads and uses the app.

However, depending solely on the upfront revenue can be stupid, which is why you should turn app engagement into income. This means that when people use the app and take additional action within the app, your business can earn a stream of revenue.

There is no need to frustrate the users with forced campaigns or unnecessary ads to let mobile apps make money for your business. There is a wide range of strategies to monetize the mobile app, but you must proceed with choosing the right one.

The monetization strategies include in-app advertisements, subscription fees, in-app purchases, etc.

Why is App Monetization Important?

The mobile-first attitude among the tech-savvy population of the UAE and the growing use of mobile applications in Dubai have encouraged businesses to invest in the creation of apps. As per the reports in the year 2024, the size of the global mobile application market was $281.5 billion, and with time, it is increasing.

So, the experts expected that by the year 2030, the size of the global mobile app market would reach $626.3 billion. This means between the years 2024 to 2030, the global mobile app market size will grow at a CAGR of 14.3%.

It not only offers convenience to the customers but for businesses comes as an excellent opportunity to make money with mobile apps. In the year 2022, it was projected that the app market would generate a total revenue of $437.75 billion.

Further, it was estimated that by the year 2029, the total revenue will increase to $781.70 billion. So, the mobile app market between the years 2022 to 2029 will witness increased revenue in the app market at a CAGR of 7.48%.

So, when you are building apps to boost the presence of your business, you need to think in favour of scaling your business as well. The above statistics are already showing that a mobile app can be a money-making machine for the business. Thus, to achieve monetary growth, you must consider utilizing the mobile app’s money-making strategies.

As per the reports, the global in-app advertisement market will reach $390.04 billion in the year 2025 and will reach $533.92 billion by the year 2029, since businesses spend the most in this mode. Similarly, the subscription-based structure of the app will witness a significant boost between the years 2021 to 2025 with expected growth of more than 13.5%.

Thus, all these numbers clearly state that if you want to boost the online fame of your business, then you must build a mobile app in Dubai and integrate money-making strategies to scale it up.

Top Mobile App Monetization Strategies in Dubai

The question with which you started this blog was how mobile apps make money in Dubai. So, the time has come when you will know about some effective monetization strategies that help your business earn excellent monetary growth.

We have broken down the mobile apps’ revenue models below that every business needs to know before creating an app. Let’s have a look at them.

1. In-app Advertisement

The most common way for businesses to make money from their apps is through in-app advertisements. While using the app, many times advertisements start in various formats, and without watching the ad, users can’t move forward.

This is one of the most clever tactics to monetize the apps and scale the business. It has already been mentioned with numbers that this mobile app monetization model is one of the most used.

Best to use for: The apps like news, entertainment, gaming, free utility, and social apps are the best to integrate this app monetization strategy. The reason behind this is that the more app engagement, the better revenue in-app advertisements will generate.

2. Subscription Model

It is the second most-used and successful app monetization strategy used by businesses. In this strategy, users are presented with subscription plans for them to purchase. There will be multiple subscription plans available for the users, each offers different features of the app.

For users who wish to avail premium features, a subscription plan is the best, where they will pay annually or monthly, based on the choice of their subscription plan.

Best to use for: SaaS, music streaming apps, podcast apps, wellness, content delivery, and video apps, and integrate this app monetization strategy. The reason it is best for the mentioned app is that it offers apps to earn predictable revenue through recurring billing.

3. In-app Purchases

Allowing in-app purchases comes with an excellent opportunity for the business to easily scale up. In-app purchases are a part of the majority of businesses’ part of app monetization tactics.

This allows users to purchase digital goods and services seamlessly within the app and not through any third-party app. More users will be attracted to the app, with an in-app purchase option, and this will come with a higher potential for revenue growth for businesses.

Best to use for: This monetization is best to integrate into the game, fitness, educational, and other apps. As these apps offer free access to the users, the strategy will attract more of them, and when they invest in the app purchase, it will offer businesses monetary growth.

4. Freemium Model

This is another clever app monetization strategy for the business. A freemium model is the plan for a business that makes users obsessed with the app first, with basic functionality, and when they wish to use premium features, they have to pay for it.

Thus, it aims to increase the number of app users first and turn them into paid users later. This will allow apps to create enough value for free and make the upgrade irresistible later.

Best to use for: This app monetization strategy is best to integrate into productivity apps, design tools, learning platforms, etc. As this will create an upfront value of the app, attract the users to stay, and lastly, upsell based on app usage and needs.

5. Crowdfunding Model

The crowdfunding app monetization model is not a traditional way to generate revenue for the app owners. This is not like other mobile apps’ money-making strategies that need a live user base; this tactic can monetize from your mobile app idea, community, and vision.

In this strategy, the app owners will raise funds through rewards or perks for the app users. It comes in various types: reward-based, donation-based, equity-based, and subscription-based.

Best to use for: This is best to use for the apps of non-profit organizations, games, journaling apps, and others. Although the users of the apps are not forced to contribute, it’s up to their choice. However, it may help to build a loyal user base for the app.

6. Affiliate Model

The affiliate model of app monetization is also one of the commonly used strategies. It is best to define it as a performance-based app monetization tactic for businesses.

The affiliate model of app monetization strategy allows the app owner to promote third-party products and services within the app. For each referral, lead, or sale generated from the promotions, the app owner gets the chance to earn a certain percentage of commissions.

Best to use for: The best use case of this strategy is travel apps, finance, fitness, education, blogging, and shopping apps. The app owners will get the chance to earn their equal share for per lead, click, or sale driven through the app.

7. Commission-based Model

This app monetization model is best to use in a marketplace app where the main app plays the role of a mediator connecting buyers and sellers. Whenever profits or transactions are made via the main app, the owner will earn a certain percentage of commission.

Today, the number of marketplace apps is increasing, looking to offer a convenient platform for sellers and buyers. Thus, the use of this monetization tactic is also increasing.

Best to use for: This tactic is best to integrate in a marketplace app, service app, food delivery app, real estate app, and ride-sharing app. This is because the types of apps mentioned are increasing for them as an ideal way to make money from mobile apps.

8. Surcharges

Surcharges are another clever way for the app owner to monetize their app. In this tactic, a small amount of extra fees is added on top of the main charges. The app role decides who has to pay these extra fees.

Since the service that will be available through the app is urgent, paying some extra amounts doesn’t hurt the customers, and on the other hand, businesses can earn extra revenue. The surge is based on the urgency, convenience, off-hour service, etc.

Best to use for: This tactic is best to use for apps like food delivery, ride hailing, freelance services, eCommerce apps, and more. The businesses can earn through peak hour surcharges, high demand charges, handling charges, platform charges, and more.

9. Brand Partnership Models

Through the brand partnership model, the app owners collaborate with the companies and the brand through various means, like exclusive deals, to monetize the app.

In this app monetization technique, the app and the other brands both must have the same niche, making it effective to reach the same base of audiences. Co-create content, campaigns, or exclusive features if you are utilizing this tactic to earn revenue for your app.

Best to use for: This is best for mobile apps like Fitness, cooking, music streaming, finance, fashion, and gaming. Sports companies, F&B brands, and many apps often partner to introduce new features or update their functionalities.

These were the list of mobile app monetization strategies, and each of them is specialized for specific apps. So, when you hire a mobile app startup to create your app, be sure to remind them to incorporate these strategies. That way, the app can not only function effectively but also generate revenue for your business.

The Expert Hand of Nimble AppGenie will Help You Build a Worthy Mobile App in Dubai

Are you worried about the fact that incorporating the app monetization strategies in the development process can impact the mobile app development cost? Well, yes, you are not wrong in that case, but with Nimble AppGenie, you can get a complete app development solution without draining your pockets.

We are the leading mobile app development company in Dubai with more than 7 years of experience in creating mobile apps for different industries. What makes us the best is that we follow trends and put effort into bringing our clients the best results. We have a skilled team of developers available 24/7 to address clients’ requirements.

Conclusion

Mobile apps today have become one of the most powerful revenue engines for businesses in Dubai. You have already learned the various strategies that help businesses generate revenue with mobile apps in Dubai.

By incorporating the right strategies, businesses have an excellent opportunity to capitalize on the tech-savvy and high-spending users of Dubai.

Thus, in the smart market of Dubai, the opportunity to build apps that make money is clear for entrepreneurs. Start to monetize your app.

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