Questions to ask before paying for submission help

Most founders pay for submission help after their app is already built and ready to upload—then realise their chosen provider can't answer basic questions about the app itself or platform requirements. By that point, money and time are on the line. The right conversation happens before you've committed anything, and it's structured around a simple idea: a competent submission expert should answer directly, explain reasoning, and flag risks without inflating their own importance.

Here are the questions that reveal whether someone actually knows what they're doing.

"Walk me through what you'd do with my app—step by step."

A solid answer describes the actual process: reviewing your app's functionality and metadata, checking against store guidelines specific to your category (gaming, finance, health, social, etc.), testing on real devices, preparing store listing assets, and submitting with a clear rationale for every choice. They explain why metadata matters—keywords, description, screenshots all feed app store algorithms and reviewer expectations.

An evasive answer sounds like: "We handle all the submission details" or "Don't worry, we know the rules." If they can't walk you through their workflow, they're either recycling a generic checklist or they're outsourcing and don't fully own the process.

"What do you need from me, and what do you do if my app doesn't meet the rules?"

A good answer is honest about scope. They should tell you: they need your app binary, metadata (app name, description, keywords, screenshots, privacy policy), proof of age ratings compliance, and ideally demo access. They should also be clear about their limits—if your app has legal or regulatory risk (financial services, health claims, gambling), they'll either decline or insist you consult a lawyer first. They should NOT claim they can override or bend Apple or Google's rules.

If they promise to "handle" a compliance gap or hint they have back-channel relationships with reviewers, that's a red flag. Submission support is not lobbying; it's preparation and clarity.

"What happens if my app gets rejected, and what's included?"

Ask whether your fee covers one submission attempt or multiple rounds. Ask what they do if rejection feedback is vague (common with Apple). A competent provider will:

• Help you interpret the rejection reason
• Test changes on the same devices and OS versions the reviewers use
• Resubmit with a clear appeal or revised build
• Explain what they did differently

They should also be realistic: some rejections require reworking code, not just metadata tweaks. If that happens, is additional support paid or included? If they say rejections are "rare if you follow our process," ask for evidence—client case studies or percentages. Rejections happen, even to experienced teams.

"How do you stay current with store policy changes?"

App store rules update. iOS privacy labels shifted dramatically. Google's policy on dark patterns tightened. Android's targetSdkVersion requirements creep upward. Ask how your provider tracks this. Do they attend developer conferences, subscribe to official announcements, maintain relationships with developer relations teams, or run their own test apps through the store?

Ask for a recent example of a rule change they acted on for a client. A credible answer names a specific policy shift and explains how it affected their process. A generic answer like "We read the guidelines regularly" suggests they're not proactive.

Before committing, also ask for references—especially clients who've had rejected apps resubmitted successfully. A provider who's worked through real rejections will have stories and lessons; someone fresh or marketing-heavy will deflect.

The core of this conversation is checking whether they understand *your* app and the platforms, not just process templates. If they seem more interested in selling you than understanding your situation, pause. On Strove, verified app submission specialists list their specific experience with iOS, Android, or both, and reviews from past clients reveal whether they handled problems or just smooth launches. Start there, then move to these questions.