Globally there are billions of mobile phone users and this figure steadily growing year after year thus generating a huge market for the development and purchasing of apps.

There are over 2.6 million apps are available on the Google Play store and over 2 million apps in Apple’s App Store, which means if you are a developer you need to get strategic and business owners need to think about app marketing if they really want to generate mobile app downloads and engagement with targeted users.

 

Through today’s blog, we are about to share an app-store optimization guide to boost the visibility and ranking of your android and iOS app.

 

Before moving ahead on the step-by-step guide, let’s understand app store optimization first!

 

What is App Store Optimization

 

App store optimization is the process of improving app visibility within the Google Play Store and Apple’s App store and increasing app conversion rates faster. In addition, to get top ranking in both app stores, businesses need to convince people to actually click into your mobile app once they find it in the app store listing. You can do so by optimizing your android and iOS mobile app name, title, icon, screenshots, and App rating.

 

”The more you have visibility in major app stores, the more downloads you get.”

 

ASO is important for standing out in a crowded app market no matter if you are creating an app or already have one on the marketplace. This is not a ”one and done” project, app-store optimization requires continuous attention and consistent updates. Hire a mobile app development company that offers app marketing services!

 

The Practical Guide to App Store Optimization (ASO)

1. Use Relevant Keywords

Researching the right keywords to rank your website and mobile app is essential. You will need to find out what keywords or search queries your audience is searching for and ideally the keywords that your major competitors use.

 

Targeting keywords that match with customers’ searches will help them more easily to find your app on the major app stores. We would suggest using one form of a keyword (singular or plural).

 

 

2. Start with a Descriptive Title

 

A good title of your mobile app not only identifies what your app does to customers but can also improve your app store rankings. Meta titles are the most important factor you can use to get more downloads.

 

Use relevant keywords a keyword in your app’s title to rank at least 10% higher than if you didn’t include one.

 

Here’s how TripIt include their main keyword ”Travel Planner’‘ in their app name to boost rankings.

 

 

3. Optimize your Description

 

Once you have chosen your App name, write a description by including as many relevant keywords as possible in the first 250-270 characters. A good App description helps users know why they should download your app. Add an engaging description that highlights the key features and functionality of your Android and iOS app. Let potential users know what makes your mobile app unique by writing a description that is concise and informative.

 

4. Include Compelling Icons & Images

 

Visuals of the mobile app can give you an edge in the marketplace. Choose an app icon that is easily recognized and memorable for the brand, try to use different colors than your competitors to eliminate any confusion from potential customers.

 

People only spend 7 seconds deciding if they are going to download an app or not. 81% of users will look at your screenshots before installing the app, so don’t skimp on these. App Development Companies recommend using a number of high-quality screenshots to represent how your app is more valuable than its competitors and adding them along with the preview videos will have a large impact on your ASO performance.

 

 

5. Pick the Right Category

 

Placing your app in the right category on both the App stores is not only helpful for users who are browsing apps by category but it is a good practice to make your app rank well.

 

If you feel like your business app fits into more than one category, use the below-given approach to solve your problem:

 

1. First, pick the category that best describes your mobile app.

 

2. Next, check out how many apps are available in each category,  placing your app in the least competitive category gives a better chance of app ranking on the top results.

 

3. Finally, look at the estimated app worth of the app at the top of those categories. Put your mobile app in the one with the lower numbers to leverage some advantage as well.

 

 

 

6. Build Quality Backlinks

 

To build the best backlinks, your mobile app should be actively linked on third-party websites that are relevant to your niche and have authority according to Google’s latest algorithms.

 

Backlinks can be in text or image form. However, there is some misconception about the effectiveness of link building in regards to app-store-optimization, it is conclusive that quality vs quantity is the preferred method by digital marketers in order to gain success and rankings of a mobile app.

 

7. Encourage Positive Customers Reviews

 

Positive ratings and reviews from the app users, both in terms of quality and quantity, have a huge impact on your ASO efforts. Make sure reviews need to be honest only from the people who have actually downloaded and used your app.

 

You can encourage users through word of mouth to leave a good review on the App Store and Google Play.

 

Secondly, you can also send pop-up notifications through your app asking the user to leave a rating and review if they had a great experience.

 

 

Being a top mobile app development service provider we would recommend businesses to send notifications a certain number of times the app has been opened, if a user is opening your app frequently, chances are they likely to put a review and rating on the App store.

 

Now, you might be thinking, ” how to measure your app marketing efforts”. Well, you can use App store analytics to see where your app stands. With these tools, you can measure your app’s performance and get unique insights with data you won’t find anywhere else using App analytics, sales, trends, and payments.

If it’s been a long time and you’re not happy with your app’s current ranking, it’s time to make some assessments and change some things around:

• Maybe the primary keywords aren’t relevant?

• Is the description isn’t valuable enough?

• Are you sure your app is in the right category?

• Does the screenshots and preview video need some fine-tuning?

All of these things can be improved upon to get a higher ranking in Google Play and Apple store.