30DC, Inc. announced the release of version 7 of the MagCast Digital Publishing Platform (MagCast). The key new feature of version 7 is the introduction of an in-app sales funnel. Other improvements include a user interface that allows content creators to better target specific readers with marketing offers, enhance list building and increase reader engagement.

The platform upgrades also save content creators significant time in preparing individual issues for all platforms. MagCast version 7 is optimized both for Android and for iOS 8, which is the first iOS version that lets marketers track sources of traffic, conversions and in-app purchases. In-App Sales Funnels is the most important features version 7 introduces. It gives content creators the ability to use sales funnels inside a MagCast without the need to send users to an external web site.

MagCast version 6 allowed readers to make one-click purchases within the app. Version 7 enables content creators to interact with readers throughout the entire sales funnel. Prospects may enter a sales funnel in any number of ways, such as pressing a link to go to free, valuable information and complete a contact form, thereby enabling the MagCaster to build a list.

Once a prospect enters a sales funnel, the magazine publisher can communicate repeatedly by sending information of real interest, slowly building trust until the prospect eventually buys. The publisher can continue to send communications and special offers in order to sell added products and services. The ability to keep readers within the app keeps them more engaged and more likely to take action.

Native View: In MagCast version 7, the default method to create and view individual issues of MagCast publications is now Native view, which is text-based, rather than the former default known as Advanced view, which is PDF-based. Expanded Deep Links: Content creators can now deep link to send web traffic directly to an in-app page within a MagCast magazine issue. This page could include a form to capture contact information, a prompt to download a magazine issue, or any kind of desired interactive content.

Push notifications can now be sent to specific issue buyers or specific non-buyers. Expanded Google Analytics: There is now tracking for in-app ratings, welcome letter, home screen pop up, in-app pages and deep links.