diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd')
-rw-r--r-- | docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd | 600 |
1 files changed, 600 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd b/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6263431 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/html/distribute/googleplay/developer-console.jd @@ -0,0 +1,600 @@ +page.title=Developer Console +page.metaDescription=Learn about the Developer Console, your home for app publishing on Google Play. +page.image=/distribute/images/developer-console.jpg +Xnonavpage=true + +@jd:body + + <div id="qv-wrapper"> + <div id="qv"> + <h2>Publishing Features</h2> + <ol> + <li><a href="#allapps">All Applications</a></li> + <li><a href="#account-details">Your Account Details</a></li> + <li><a href="#merchant-account">Linking Your Merchant Account</a></li> + <li><a href="#multiple-user-accounts">Multiple User Accounts</a></li> + <li><a href="#alpha-beta">Alpha and Beta Testing</a></li> + <li><a href="#staged-rollouts">Staged Rollouts</a></li> + <li><a href="#multiple-apk">Multiple APK Support</a></li> + <li><a href="#selling-pricing-your-products">Selling and Pricing</a></li> + <li><a href="#in-app-products">In-App Products</a></li> + <li><a href="#distribution-controls">Distribution Controls</a></li> + <li><a href="#reviews-reports">User Reviews, Crash Reports</a></li> + <li><a href="#app-stats">App Stats</a></li> + <li><a href="#related-resources">Related Resources</a></li> + </ol> + </div> +</div> + +<p> + The <a href="https://play.google.com/apps/publish/">Google Play Developer + Console</a> is your home for publishing operations and tools. +</p> +<!-- <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-startscreen.jpg" style="width:480px;" /> --> +<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-devconsole-home.png" style="width:480px;"> +<p> + Upload apps, build your product pages, configure prices and distribution, and + publish. You can manage all phases of publishing on Google Play through the + Developer Console, from any web browser. +</p> + +<p> + Once you've <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/googleplay/start.html">registered</a> and received + verification by email, you can sign in to your Google Play Developer Console. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="allapps"> + All Applications + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + Start in All Applications, which gives you a quick overview of your apps, + lets you jump to stats, reviews, and product details, or upload a new app. +</p> + +<div style="padding:1em 0em 0em 0em;"> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-home.png" class="border-img"> +</div> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat" style="margin-top:-6px"> + <h1 id="account-details"> + Your Account Details + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + Specify basic developer profile information about yourself or your company on + the accounts detail page. This identifies you to Google Play and your + customers. You can go back at any time to edit the information and change + your settings. +</p> + +<div> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-profile.png" class="frame"> +</div> + +<p> + Your developer profile contains: +</p> + +<ul> + <li> + <p> + Developer name — displayed on your store listing page and elsewhere + on Google Play. + </p> + </li> + + <li> + <p> + Contact information — used by Google only, it isn't seen by your + customers. + </p> + </li> + + <li> + <p> + Web site URL — displayed on your store listing page. + </p> + </li> +</ul> + +<p> + On the account details page you can also add restricted access for marketers + and other teams, register for a merchant account, or set up test accounts for + Google Play licensing. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="merchant-account"> + Linking Your Merchant Account + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + If you want to sell apps or in-app products, link your Google Wallet Merchant + Account to your developer profile. Google Play uses the linked merchant + account for financial and tax identification, as well as for monthly payouts + from sales. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="multiple-user-accounts"> + Multiple User Accounts + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + Set up user accounts for other team members to access different parts of your + Developer Console. +</p> + +<div style="width:550px;"> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-invite.png" class="frame"> +</div> + +<p> + The first account registered is the <em>account owner</em>, with full access + to all parts of the console. The owner can add <em>user accounts</em> and + manage console access. +</p> + +<p> + For example, an owner can grant users access to publishing and app + configuration, but not to financial reports. Learn how to <a href= + "https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2528691">set + up multiple accounts</a> now. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="store-listing-details"> + Store Listing Details + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + Use the Developer Console to set up a <em>Store Listing page</em>. This is + the home for your app in Google Play. It's the page users see on their mobile + phones or on the web to learn about your app and download it. +</p> + +<p> + Upload custom brand assets, screenshots, and videos to highlight what's great + about your app. Provide a localized description, add notes about the latest + version, and more. You can update your store listing at any time. +</p> + +<div> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-details.png" class="frame"> +</div> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="upload-instantly-publish"> + Upload and Instantly Publish + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + From the Developer Console you can quickly upload and publish a release-ready + Android application package file. The app is a <em>draft</em> until you + publish it, at which time Google Play makes your store listing page and app + available to users—your app appears in the store listings within hours, + not weeks. +</p> + +<p> + Once your app is published, you can update it as often as you want: Change + prices, configuration, and distribution options at any time, without needing + to update your app binary. +</p> + +<p> + As you add features or address code issues, you can publish an updated binary + at any time. The new version is available almost immediately and existing + customers are notified that an update is ready for download. Users can also + accept automatic updates to your app, so that your updates are delivered and + installed as soon as you publish them. You can unpublish your apps app at any + time. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="alpha-beta"> + Alpha and Beta Testing + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + It's always valuable to get real-world feedback from users, especially before + launch. Google Play makes it easy to distribute pre-release versions of your + app to alpha and beta test groups anywhere in the world. +</p> + +<p> + In the <strong>APK</strong> section of your Google Play Developer Console + you’ll find the <strong>Alpha Testing</strong> and <strong>Beta + Testing</strong> tabs. Here you can upload versions of your apps’ APK files + and define a list of testers as a <a href= + "https://support.google.com/groups/answer/46601">Google Group</a> or <a href= + "https://support.google.com/plus/topic/2888488">Google+ Community</a>. Once + this is done you’ll receive a URL that you forward to your testers, from + which they can opt-in to the testing program. +</p> + +<div> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-ab.png" class="frame"> +</div> + +<p> + After opting-in, your testers then go to your app’s product page and when + they download the app Google Play will deliver them the alpha or beta version + as appropriate. Incidentally, if a user happens to be opted-in to both your + testing groups, Google Play will always deliver them the alpha test version. +</p> + +<p> + Note that users cannot provide feedback and reviews on alpha and beta + versions of your apps. To gather feedback you could used the <a href= + "https://support.google.com/groups/answer/46601">Google Group</a> or <a href= + "https://support.google.com/plus/topic/2888488">Google+ Community</a>, or + setup an email address or your own website. +</p> + +<p> + You can use these testing programs to <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/essentials/optimizing-your-app.html">optimize your + apps</a>, help with <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/users/expand-to-new-markets.html">rollout to new + markets</a>, and start <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/users/build-community.html">building your + community</a>. There is also more information on using beta test in the + <a href="{@docRoot}distribute/tools/launch-checklist.html">Launch + Checklist</a> and <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/localization-checklist.html">Localization + Checklist</a>. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="staged-rollouts"> + Staged Rollouts + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + You can also stage the rollout of your apps using the Production tab in the + APK section of your Google Play Developer Console. Here you can define the + percentage of user who’ll be able to download your app. +</p> + +<p> + Staging your rollout will help limit the impact of unexpected bugs or server + load and enable you to gauge user feedback with an unbiased sample of users. + Users can rate and review your apps during staged roll outs, so if you’re + hesitant, start your rollout to a small percentage of users. Be sure to watch + for and respond to any negative reviews. +</p> + +<p> + Note that rollbacks aren’t supported due to the <a href= + "{@docRoot}tools/publishing/versioning.html">app versioning requirements</a> + of the Android platform. If you need to rollback, consider launching a + previous APK with a new version number. However, this practice should be used + only as a last resort, as users will lose access to new features and your old + app may not be forward-compatible with your server changes or data formats, + so be sure to run <a href="#alpha-beta">alpha and beta tests</a> of your + updates. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="multiple-apk"> + Multiple APK Support + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + In most cases, a single app package (APK) is all you need, and it’s usually + the easiest way to manage and maintain the app. However, if you need to + deliver a different APK to different devices, Google Play provides a way to + do that. +</p> + +<p> + <em>Multiple APK support</em> lets you create multiple app packages that use + the same package name but differ in their OpenGL texture compression formats, + screen-size support, or Android platform versions supported. You can simply + upload all the APKs under a single product listing and Google Play selects + the best ones to deliver to users, based on the characteristics of their + devices. +</p> + +<p> + You can also upload up to two secondary downloads for each published APK, + including multiple APKs, using the <em>APK Expansion Files</em> option. Each + expansion file can be up to 2GB and contain any type of code or assets. + Google Play hosts them for free and handles the download of the files as part + of the normal app installation. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="selling-pricing-your-products"> + Selling and Pricing Your Products + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<div class="figure-right"> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-buyer-currency.png" class="frame"> +</div> + +<p> + You have tools to set prices for your apps and in-app products. Your app can + be free to download or priced, requiring payment before download. +</p> + +<ul> + <li>If you publish your app as free, it must <strong>remain free for the life + of the app</strong>. Free apps can be downloaded by all users in Google Play. + </li> + + <li>If you publish it as priced, you can later change it to free. Priced apps + can be purchased and downloaded only by users who have registered a form of + payment in Google Play. + </li> +</ul> + +<div class="sidebox-wrapper" style="float:right;"> + <div class="sidebox"> + <p> + See <a href= + "http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138294&topic=2365624&ctx=topic"> + Supported locations for distributing applications</a> for a list of + countries where you can distribute or sell your apps. + </p> + </div> +</div> + +<p> + You can also offer in-app products and subscriptions, whether the app is free + or priced. Set prices separately for priced apps, in-app products, and + subscriptions. +</p> + +<p> + When users browse your app product pages or initiate a purchase, Google Play + shows them the price they’ll be charged in their local currency. +</p> + +<p> + For each product, you initially set a default price in your own currency. If + you do no more, Google Play will automatically set local prices once a month + based on the US-Dollar price for your app. +</p> + +<p> + However, Google Play gives you complete control over how you price your + products in each country. To start you can manually set fixed local prices + from the default price, using the <strong>auto-convert prices now</strong> + feature. You can then review these prices and set new ones for any countries + you wish — the price for each country is independent, so you can adjust + one price without affecting others. For most countries, the price you set is + the final price charged to users, including taxes. +</p> + +<p> + For more on pricing your apps, see <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/users/expand-to-new-markets.html#localize-your-google-play-listing"> + Expand into New Markets</a>. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="in-app-products"> + In-app Products + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + You can sell in-app products and subscriptions using <a href= + "{@docRoot}google/play/billing/index.html">Google Play In-app Billing</a> as + a way to monetize your apps. In-app products are one-time purchases, while + subscriptions are recurring charges on a monthly or annual basis. +</p> + +<p> + In the <strong>In-app Products</strong> section for a specific published or + draft APK you: +</p> + +<ul> + <li>Create product lists for in-app products and subscriptions. + </li> + + <li>Set prices. + </li> + + <li>Publish the products with the app or withdraw obsolete products. + </li> +</ul> + +<p> + For details on how to implement In-app Billing, see the <a href= + "{@docRoot}google/play/billing/index.html">In-app Billing</a> developer + documentation. You make use of in-app products in the <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/premium.html">Premium</a>, <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/freemium.html">Freemium</a>, and <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/monetize/subscriptions.html">Subscription</a> + monetization models +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="distribution-controls"> + Distribution Controls + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<p> + Manage which countries and territories your apps will distribute to. For some + countries, you can choose which carriers you want to target. You can also see + the list of devices your app is available for, based on any distribution + rules declared in its manifest file. +</p> + +<h3 id="geotargeting"> + Geographic targeting +</h3> + +<p> + You can use controls in the Google Play Developer Console to easily manage + the geographic distribution of your apps, without any changes in your + application binary. You can specify which countries and territories you want + to distribute to, and even which carriers (for some countries). +</p> + +<p> + When users visit the store, Google Play makes sure that they are in one of + your targeted countries before downloading your app. You can change your + country and carrier targeting at any time just by saving changes in the + Google Play Developer Console. +</p> + +<div class="figure-right" style="width:500px;"> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-supported-dev-requirements.png" class="frame"> +</div> + +<p> + To help you market to users around the world, you can <a href= + "{@docRoot}distribute/tools/launch-checklist.html#start-localization">localize + your store listing</a>, including app details and description, promotional + graphics, screenshots, and more. +</p> + +<h3 id="captargeting"> + Capabilities targeting +</h3> + +<p> + Google Play also lets you control distribution according to device features + or capabilities that your app depends on. There are several types of + dependencies that the app can define in its manifest, such as hardware + features, OpenGL texture compression formats, libraries, Android platform + versions, and others. +</p> + +<p> + When you upload your app, Google Play reads the dependencies and sets up any + necessary distribution rules. For technical information about declaring + dependencies, read <a href="{@docRoot}google/play/filters.html">Filters on + Google Play</a>. +</p> + +<p> + For pinpoint control over distribution, Google Play lets you see all of the + devices your app is available to based on its dependencies (if any). From the + Google Play Developer Console, you can list the supported devices and even + exclude specific devices if needed. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="reviews-reports"> + User Reviews and Crash Reports + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<div class="figure-right" style="width:500px;"> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-reviews.png" class="frame"> + <p class="img-caption"> + The User reviews section gives you access to user reviews for a specific + app. You can filter reviews in a number of ways to locate issues more + easily and support your customers more effectively. + </p> +</div> + +<p> + Google Play makes it easy for users to submit reviews of your app for the + benefit of other users. The reviews give you usability feedback, support + requests, and details of important functionality issues direct from your + customers. +</p> + +<p> + Use crash reports for debugging and improving your app. You can see crash + reports with stack trace and other data, submitted automatically from Android + devices. +</p> + +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> + <h1 id="app-stats"> + App Statistics + </h1> + + <hr> +</div> + +<div class="figure" style="width:500px"> + <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-dc-stats.png"> + <p class="img-caption"> + <b>App statistics page</b>: Shows you a variety of statistics about a + specific app's installation performance. + </p> +</div> + +<p> + You get detailed statistics on the install performance of your app. +</p> + +<p> + See installation metrics measured by unique users as well as by unique + devices. View active installs, total installs, upgrades, daily installs and + uninstalls, and metrics about ratings. +</p> + +<p> + Zoom into the installation numbers by metric, including Android platform + version, device, country, language, app version, and carrier. View the + installation data for each dimension on timeline charts. +</p> + +<p> + These charts highlight your app’s installation peaks and longer-term trends. + They help you learn your user’s adoption behavior, correlate statistics to + promotions, see the effect of app improvements, and other factors. Focus in + on data inside a dimension by adding specific points to the timeline. +</p> + +<div class="dynamic-grid"> +<div class="headerLine clearfloat"> +<h1 id="related-resources">Related Resources</h1><hr/> +</div> + +<div class="resource-widget resource-flow-layout col-13" + data-query="collection:distribute/googleplay/developerconsole" + data-sortOrder="-timestamp" + data-cardSizes="9x3" + data-maxResults="6"></div> + </div>
\ No newline at end of file |