Be it a startup or a leading business: everyone is designing their applications to reach their potential customers. You would be surprised to know that over 2 million applications are registered in the major app stores. Globally, there are millions of smartphone users, and this number is increasing day by day.
This constant increase in number is creating a huge market for mobile applications. Countless applications rank on Google Play Store and Apple store today. This means that you have to be strategic and must follow the latest trends when you have to promote your app.
So, before you read about the tips on how to boost the visibility and ranking of apps, know about App Store Optimization.
What Do You Understand by App Store optimization?
App Store Optimization, or better known as ASO, App Search Optimization, Play Store ASO, are the improvements/modifications made on the application download page to rank higher in an app store. The increased visibility means it would convert traffic to your app’s page. App Search Optimization aims to drive traffic to download your app.
Like you search any website on the browser, you look for apps on the play store. The difference is you do not download the web page; instead, read the content in it. On the other hand, you download the app and then use its features on your smartphones.
Overall, the ASO is everything about increasing brand awareness in the app stores by coming at the top in the search results. ASO primarily focuses on the two leading main app store platforms: Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
You might be wondering- how would you rank your app in the play stores? How much time does it take to rank the app in the first position? Would it be worth waiting for? Don’t worry! We have covered everything about ASO- how does it work, the tips you should follow to optimize your app store, and more related questions.
The Significance of ASO
Have you ever wondered why ASO is important? Over 3 million apps are stored in the app store. You can’t download every app registered on the play store. This means that your app has to compete with several competitors. The goal of ASO is to increase the number of potential users.
So, what should be the first step to make your app visible to end-users? It should be to optimize your app and to be searched by the right app store visitors. Without optimizing your app, you won’t be visible to the potential end-users. Here, App Search Optimization plays a significant role.
The Benefits of App Store Optimization
Around 85% of users search apps through app stores. Therefore, ASO is necessary to make your app visible. Here are some benefits of using App Search Optimization (ASO) that you should know before implementing it.
1. Improve Your Visibility
When the user wouldn’t find your app in the app store, then he/she won’t download it. It doesn’t matter how beautifully you have designed your app or how excellent it works. If it is not visible, then you won’t be successful. ASO here improves the visibility of your app.
2. Increase the Chance of Organic Downloads
A great app store optimization strategy not only guarantees the long term results but also increase organic downloads. If you use relevant keywords, then people would find your app in the top position.
3. Cover the Users Worldwide
If you make your application available in different languages, then you could get the users from around the world. Thus, ASO could take your app globally.
4. Cost-Effective
Instead of promoting your app through advertisements and sponsored ads, you could effectively strategize ASO and cut acquisition costs. Focus on organic growth. This would save money, plus, ensure growth.
5. Always Get Searched by the Potential End Users
App Store Optimization helps you in finding the right users. So make sure that your app is found and also downloaded by the right end-users. This optimization, along with the right keywords, makes your app to be found easily by potential customers.
Effective Tips on How to Optimize App Store
Choose effective strategies to win against competitors in the mobile app industry. Let’s delve deeper into the tips that should be followed by everyone who is into the mobile industry.
1. Understand the Customer and Look for the Competitors
Before you
hire any mobile application developer, make sure that you know about your competitors and customers. Research on what language do they use, how they would describe your app, the keywords to target, are there any reasons why the customer should download your app, what makes your app unique from others, what features do the users mostly use, and more.
Understand who your competitors are and their strategies. Keep an eye on the apps that are ranked in your category. Also, check if their ranking is changing when they are modifying titles and descriptions. So, make sure that you research your competitors and use several competitor analysis tools for better results.
2. Add Videos and Attractive Icons & Screenshots
Attractive visuals could give you the best position in the marketplace. Select an app icon that is attractive plus easy to recognize. Use different colors and avoid colors that are used by your competitors. Also, make sure that you add screenshots on the downloading page. Most people look at the screenshots and videos before they download the app.
Use a colorful template to make it look appealing. Include visual features that highlight what makes your app valuable and better than others. Also, adding a video increases the chance of downloading the app by 40%. It takes only a few minutes to choose the app, so better you add video, screenshots, and recognizable icon that offers your app’s valuable features.
Know about the standard size of the logo that is allowed by the app stores. Whether you are designing a logo for an iOS store or Google play store, make sure that your logo is clear and convey what your app is about. Use
minimalistic UI design for mobile apps. This reduces the loading time and improves user retention.
Video Marketing is an important aspect of brand promotion. Here are a few
video marketing strategies that you could follow if you are designing a website or an application.
3. Use Relevant Keywords
Using the right keywords is essential for any mobile application. Research the keywords and also check the keywords your competitors are using. Make sure that you don’t use random keywords; otherwise, this could penalize your app. Also, do not include the keywords that have your competitor’s name. Use one form of keyword: either singular or plural.
Choose the right keywords to make your app successful. Target high traffic keywords with low competition. Add keywords to your IAP (In-App Purchase) metadata. It gives you four different elements. The IAP description allows up to 45 characters and should include necessary keywords. The IAP title allows up to 30 characters. Create a compelling description and list the benefits it offers. This might sound tricky, but it is an effective strategy to rank at the top.
In the word limit, you have to include everything about your app and its significant meaning. Research the relevant keywords and those which the users might use when they look for an app. Choosing the right keywords is the most important strategy of ASO.
4. List Your App Locally
Using the language that your users use instantly connects them with your app. Google Play and iOS allow you to list your app locally to make it easier for the user to find your app in different countries.
You could extend the customer base through app localization. A localized app with a proper ASO provides fast access to the markets. It is believed that many people use the app in the English version, but they would get its value if it is available in their native language.
5. Optimization and A/B Testing
When it comes to the optimization of apps, then two things should be kept in mind. One is off-metadata, and the other is on-metadata. Off data, factors could not be controlled by a developer. It includes volumes and user ratings. On data, factors are completely controlled by developers. It includes short and long descriptions, screenshots, the developer’s name, and title.
These factors affect conversion rates. So, perform A/B testing to know which version of the app should be launched. Drive half traffic to A and half to B, and then see which version is performing the best. You could also create a group or ask marketing communities to vote for the best version.
This type of testing is essential to know about the optimization areas within the app.
6. Track, Monitor, and Update it Frequently
Every user looks for the apps that constantly improve and share the updates to their customers. Apps that stay updated have chances of receiving more ratings and user reviews.
There is no doubt that the enhanced version of the app would receive higher ratings than before. Keep track of the downloads, top charts, reviews, and other important elements that rank the app. Modify the keywords that are not performing great, experiment with designing, and change the meta title and description.
Keep performing A/B Testing until you are satisfied with the results. Releasing the update is challenging. Encourage your loyal customers to download the update with different strategies. Start a push notification and notify them about the latest update. Track your competitor’s update and their rankings to know how your app could be downloaded more than them.
7. Take Care of Your Users
Taking care of the users is also a part of ASO. To provide the best user experience: it is important to connect with the users. Google Play stores give you an option to reply to users and to connect with them.
So you could convert negative reviews into positive by communicating with them. A consistent flow of five-star ratings and user reviews makes the app validated and thus increases the chances of downloading. App with more reviews and ratings top the charts. This proves that your app keeps the users engaged, and it is useful for them.
Final Words
The trend of Mobile application is never going to end. Mobile apps are faster and allow offline and online access. Remember that mobile application could become your brand ambassador if optimized properly. It reduces marketing costs and reaches the audience in a short time.
Don’t forget that App Store optimization requires an understanding of the customer base, keywords, and the language of the potential customers. So make sure that you hire the best app developer, and also you use the latest trends in the market.
At Covetus, we have a team of developers that are experts in developing mobile applications for Android, Windows, and iPhone. We build applications for your custom needs. For any assistance or query, feel free to contact us.
