Open your app store and you will see an app for everything! Ever wondered how many apps in app stores are available? About 3.6 million and 2.7 million apps are available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store, respectively. And trying to get the highest scores here is an everyday ordeal for all developers. But with a little tweak in your marketing strategy and a some help from Trackier Mobile Marketing Platform you can equip your app to stand out of the fiercest competition. So without much further ado, let’s learn what ASO is all about.
What Is App Store Optimization?
ASO stands for App Store Optimization. This is the process of improving the page of your landing application in app stores to draw the maximum traffic for a selected range of keywords. In many cases, this page is the first impression of your app. With over 6 million apps across Apple App Store and Google Play Store, ASO helps you boost your app ranking while also determining the app’s visibility.
ASO Elements To Boost App Listing
App Name (Title)
The name creates a brand for your app that it will be remembered by. Try not to make it too funky but something that relates to the functionality and easy to understand.
Description
The description is like an invitation for the potential customer to download the app. A short description should highlight all the best features that reel the user right in! It is best to tell a compelling story that emotionally appeals to the readers.
Keywords
Do you face trouble getting found on search engines? Choosing the keywords is the way to go! Keywords are very important, they help users and App Stores to find your app more easily while also setting expectations for new users.
P.S: Do not go keyword-crazy or Apple will penalize you for manipulating the iOS app store advertising algorithm. Remember quality over quantity!
Usage & Quality Score
This helps to recognize real users from spam and bots who can increase fraud app downloads. To boost the score, ensure the app is bug-free and provide regular updates keeping standard protocols in mind.
Uninstall Rate
High uninstall rates are bad news! Apps thrive on user retention and experience, a high uninstall rate depicts a failure to engage the users for a prolonged amount of time.
Backlinks
Backlinks are the means to verify the legitimacy of an app through partnerships with influencers, relevant websites, or even network partners! Also, be aware of shady link sites as it might land you a penalty.
Reviews & Ratings
Every app chases positive feedback, this is a clear indication of how well it works. Make sure you pay heed to genuine customer feedback and work on the updates to address the pain points highlighted within the app. The more you listen, the more you succeed!
Download Stats
A spike in downloads could indicate a feature being appreciated by the users, while a drop could suggest issues that are unaddressed. See what’s working for the app and discard the unwanted.
Why Does App Store Optimization Matter?
With over 5 million apps across the United States App Store and Apple Store, it can be quite a challenge for new brands to carve a niche in the app market. Here’s why ASO is the best thing to happen to your app:
App Discovery: In an ocean of apps, getting found in the searches is quite a task! ASO helps apps store grade applications for more people to discover them.
App Ranking: Look at your app stores and see the top-ranked applications. This can be credited to app store optimization which helps to boost your app’s place in the list. As imperative, the higher you are placed, the more likely you are to be picked by a new user!
Conversion Rate: What’s the use of launching an app if people are not convinced to download it? ASO improves page visits with icons, screenshots, and descriptions that entice visitors with a sneak peek into the app.
User-Retention: It is always better to have a loyal customer base compared to high number of new users that are least likely to engage with your app. You can use multiple app monetization strategies e.g. ad views, in-app rewards, in-game currency, etc. to boost user engagement rates.
Cost-Cutting: It is never advisable to pour money into marketing if the application itself is not generating any revenue or conversions. Optimizing your app can be your go-to marketing strategy if you are bootstrapped for cash.
App Store Optimization Vs Search Engine Optimization
App Store Optimization (ASO)
- Focus: Boosts the ranks of apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Goal: Improve app performance and visibility in the app stores.
- Method: App title, description, keywords, screenshots, backlinks, review and ratings, and many more.
- Tip: App Stores tend to change their algorithms according to the latest trends. It is fast-paced and it’s best if you keep an eye on the developments.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Focus: Boosts the ranks of websites and webpages for higher online traffic. Used by search engines like Google, Bing, and Opera.
- Goal: Generate organic traffic to the site by targeting relevant keywords to improve ranking.
- Method: Title tag, headings, keyword density, bounce rate, anchor texts, page speed, etc.
- Tip: SEO is more of a traditional method to generate organic traffic. It takes more time and effort to see the results but keep patience to see the effectiveness!
Google and iOS App Store advertising is the cheapest marketing strategy for your app. Unlike a paid ad strategy game which can go for a toss if your app is not appealing to the users, ASO opens your doors to organic traffic and genuine user responses. App Store Optimization will help you elevate your app ranking to greater heights while maintaining a healthy reputation in the app stores.
