How to create Google Developer Account

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Google Play Console Account for Your Organization

1. Create a Google Account (if you don’t already have one for your organization)

Before setting up a Google Play Developer account, you’ll need a Google Account. If your organization doesn’t already have one, you should create a Google Workspace account (formerly G Suite) for your organization to make it easier to manage access to Google services, including Google Play Console.

  • Go to Google Workspace: Google Workspace
  • Set up an account by entering your business name, domain, and admin info.
  • Verify domain ownership by following the prompts to set up your organization's email.

Once your Google Workspace account is set up, you can use the email associated with this account to create a Google Play Developer account for your organization.

2. Sign up for Google Play Developer Account for Your Organization

You’ll be registering the Play Console account using a Google Workspace account (your organizational email). You’ll also need to pay the one-time registration fee of $25 USD.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Go to Google Play Console:
    • Visit Google Play Console.
  2. Sign In Using Your Organization’s Google Account:
    • Use the Google Workspace account you created for your organization (e.g., contact@company.com).
    • If you have multiple accounts, ensure you sign in with the correct one.
  3. Agree to the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement:
    • Read through the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement carefully.
    • You must accept the agreement to proceed. This binds your organization to the rules and policies set by Google for distributing apps on the Google Play Store.
  4. Pay the Registration Fee:
    • Google requires a one-time payment of $25 USD for the registration fee.
    • You’ll be asked to provide payment details (credit or debit card).
    • Note: Make sure the payment method belongs to your organization and not an individual.
  5. Provide Your Organization’s Information:
    • Company Name: Your organization’s name as you want it to appear on the Play Store.
    • Contact Email: An email that users can contact for support.
    • Phone Number: Optional but useful for contact purposes.
    • Physical Address: Required for verification purposes.
  6. Submit the Application:
    • Once you’ve filled out the required fields, click “Submit”.
    • Your registration will be reviewed, and Google will send you a confirmation email when your account is activated (this may take a few hours to a couple of days).

3. Set Up Developer Profile and Branding for Your Organization

After registering, you’ll need to complete your developer profile. This profile is visible to users on your app’s Google Play Store page.

Steps:

  1. Log in to Google Play Console:
    • After the account is activated, log in to Google Play Console.
  2. Go to Settings:
    • In the left-hand menu, click on Settings.
  3. Fill in Developer Profile Information:
    • Developer Name: This is your company’s name or brand name that will appear next to your app on the Play Store.
    • Website: Enter your company’s website URL.
    • Support Email: This email is visible to users who want to contact you for app-related support.
    • Phone Number: Provide a customer service phone number (optional but recommended).
    • Physical Address: Provide the address of your organization (to comply with legal and policy requirements).
  4. Save Your Settings:
    • After filling in all the required fields, click Save.

4. Manage Users and Roles for Your Organization

One of the main benefits of using a Google Play Console for an organization is the ability to invite team members and assign them specific roles with varying levels of permissions.

Step-by-Step Process to Invite Users:

  1. Navigate to Users and Permissions:
    • From the Google Play Console dashboard, go to Settings > Users & Permissions.
  2. Invite Users to Your Organization:
    • Click on the Invite New User button.
    • Enter the email address of the person you want to invite. You can invite users with a Google Workspace email or any Google account.
  3. Assign Roles:
    • Google Play Console lets you assign specific roles and permissions to each user. The roles include:
      • Administrator: Full access to everything in the console. They can manage billing, app settings, and users.
      • Release Manager: Can manage app releases, including versions and distribution.
      • App Manager: Can manage store listings, pricing, and app details.
      • Financial Contributor: Can handle payment information and payout reports.
      • Viewer: Only has read-only access and can’t make changes to apps or settings.
    • Choose the appropriate role based on what responsibilities you want each user to have. You can assign multiple roles if needed.
  4. Send Invitation:
    • Once you’ve assigned the role, click Send Invitation. The user will receive an email with an invitation to join the account.
  5. User Accepts the Invitation:
    • The invited user must accept the invitation before they can access the Google Play Console.

5. Add Your First App to the Play Console

Once your Google Play Developer account is set up, you can start managing your apps. Here’s how to add your first app:

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Log in to the Google Play Console:
    • Go to the Google Play Console and sign in.
  2. Create a New Application:
    • From the Play Console dashboard, click on Create Application.
    • Select the default language for your app (you can add more languages later).
    • Choose the app type (e.g., Mobile App, Wear OS, etc.).
  3. Fill in the App Information:
    • Title: The name of your app as it will appear on the Play Store.
    • Description: Write a brief and clear description of your app.
    • Screenshots: Upload screenshots or promotional images of your app.
    • Category: Choose the appropriate category for your app (e.g., Games, Tools, Productivity).
    • Privacy Policy: If your app collects personal data, include a link to your privacy policy.
  4. Upload the APK or AAB:
    • For Android apps, you will need to upload either an APK (Android Package) or AAB (Android App Bundle) file.
    • Go to the App Releases section to upload the file and configure release channels (e.g., production, beta).
  5. Set Pricing and Distribution:
    • Set the price of your app (if applicable) or select Free.
    • Select the countries where you want to distribute your app.
  6. Submit Your App:
    • After filling out all the information, click Save and then Submit.
    • Google will review your app for compliance with its guidelines, which may take a few days.
    • Once approved, your app will be available on the Google Play Store.

6. Managing App Updates and Releases

As you develop and improve your app, you can update it regularly through the Play Console.

  1. Log in to Google Play Console.
  2. Go to your App: Select your app from the Play Console dashboard.
  3. Manage Releases: In the Release section, you can upload new versions of your app (APK or AAB files).
  4. Submit Updates: Once you upload the new version, review and submit the changes. Google will again review the new version.

7. Monitor App Performance

Google Play Console also provides detailed analytics for your apps.

  1. Go to the "Statistics" Section: Here you can monitor key metrics like installs, uninstalls, revenue, crashes, and more.
  2. Reviews: You can also manage user reviews and respond to feedback.

8. Set Up Payment Information (Optional)

If you plan to monetize your apps (through paid apps or in-app purchases), you need to set up your payment information in the Play Console.

  1. Go to Settings: Under Payments, add your business payment details to manage payouts for in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Conclusion:

Setting up a Google Play Developer Account for an organization involves several steps from registration to inviting team members and uploading apps. It’s crucial to carefully manage roles and permissions so your team can collaborate efficiently. Once everything is set up, you can start publishing and managing apps on the Play Store and use the tools in the Play Console to track performance, manage releases, and respond to user feedback.

Let me know if you need more help or further clarification on any of the steps!