Cambridge based start-up Augmentra achieved dramatic gains with its ViewRanger app in Apple iOS app stores all around the world late last week as it implemented the final step in its strategic move to a “freemium” model.
Over the weekend, the ViewRanger Outdoors GPS app was a Top 5 downloaded app (across all categories) in France, has gone to the top of the Navigation app chart, and is now in the top 15 across many European markets. Further afield the app is top 20 in Brazil and Canada and made big volume gains in USA and China.
ViewRanger is the leading smartphone based GPS navigation service for outdoor sports enthusiasts in Europe with customers using all the major smartphones platforms (Apple, Android and Symbian). Whilst the company has been making good progress internationally, the course reflects a major push to take a global leadership position.
Up until this year the company has offered a paid app with in-app purchasing of both premium maps, (it sells maps like GB Ordnance Survey in 17 countries) and guided trails content from publishing organisations (it works with over 400 brands). The move to freemium reflects a confidence in the fact that smartphone owners are now more comfortable with making in-app transactions.
Alongside the free app, ViewRanger also offers free access to online discovery and trail planning through it’s My.ViewRanger.com online social community. Maps and trails purchased in-app are also available to view online.
Craig Wareham, CEO, said “Outdoor enthusiasts all around the globe are using ViewRanger to plan, navigate, record, and share their outdoor adventures and we want to make it easy for them to connect and share their local knowledge.”
Describing the freemium model, Craig Wareham, CEO said “this approach reflects our confidence that we have a great app, great service and the best range of in-app purchase options of outdoor maps and trail guides. And because our business is meeting the needs of a customer’s passion for say hiking or mountain biking we know that it has sustainable relevance, so we can monetise the relationship over time”.
About ViewRanger
ViewRanger Outdoors GPS is the award winning mobile phone application, which delivers GPS navigation, mapping and location-based content to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Used in over 150 countries, ViewRanger has topped the app navigation charts in markets across Europe, Africa and Asia.
A testament to ViewRangers’ accuracy and reliability is that it is also extensively used and trusted by Search and Rescue teams in UK & Ireland.
www.viewranger.com
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