A mobile app can help you generate income, engage users, and increase brand exposure. On the other hand, millions of different apps in the app stores are attempting to achieve the same thing.
With this amount of competition, you must do something unique to stand out so your target audience can quickly locate your app.
The solution? App store optimization or ASO!
As Thamara Sekhar from Meta writes, “The opportunity to craft your best story is infinite because, as marketers today, we have access to data and optimization tools that enable us to be accurate each pixel of the mobile display.”
In this MarsDevs blog, we set out to explore what App Store Optimization (ASO) is all about and learn about the practical insights proven to maximize App Store success!
App Store Optimization (ASO) is also known as App Store Marketing and Mobile App SEO.
ASO is primarily concerned with increasing the visibility of your apps within an app store search engine such as Google Play or Apple App Store. By increasing impressions, you can achieve additional goals, such as traffic to your web app and downloads.
ASO focuses on expert resource applications for increasing the ranking of mobile applications (apps) directly within app stores (such as iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Store).
The top-selling mobile phones for which apps are built are the iPhone/iPad, Android, and Windows Phone. The key objective of ASO is almost usually app downloads, although secondary goals might include things like:
But how is it different from SEO?
Search engine optimization (SEO) and app store optimization (ASO) can seem distant cousins, but they are twins. They work well together to assist your app or website in acquiring attention and earning clients.
SEO is optimizing site content to appear at the top of search results in all major search engines. However, ASO focuses on increasing app exposure and download rates in digital stores such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The tactics are fairly different – both include intricacies such as keywords, meta tags, quality content, link building, and site design – but when employed in tandem, they form a symbiotic connection that may significantly benefit your company.
Any successful ASO approach is built on keyword research.
It’s because app store search algorithms recommend apps based on the users' terms.
As a result, you can and should include keywords in each of the app store fields. App names, URLs, and descriptions are all included. However, you must first conduct keyword research.
What's that?
The process of researching, gathering, and evaluating keywords related to and potentially boosting your app's exposure is known as ASO keyword research.
Keywords are essential for ASO since they reveal exactly what consumers seek. And the precise terms and phrases people employ to locate it. After researching, you can adjust your app store page to meet consumer expectations. Once you finish the keyword research, it’s time to craft a compelling title and description for your app.
Use relevant keywords in your app's title to increase its search ranking. Remember that the title should correctly describe the app's function while distinguishing it from rivals. A catchy title may help your app stand out and capture the user's attention.
Similarly, to attract the user's attention and emphasize your app's unique selling qualities, use attention-grabbing language and add short paragraphs and bullet points to make your description easy to read and scan.
By crafting a clear and attractive title and description, you boost the likelihood of potential customers downloading and using your app.
Next, it’s time for some visual optimization. As Nirav Upadhyay writes, “Visual representation is very salient for the success of app store optimization.”
App Store Optimization (ASO) requires you to add visual appeal to your app's listing. Including high-quality graphics and videos in your app can help it stand out and attract more users.
Start by choosing photos that correctly represent the interface and functionality of your application. Screenshots and videos effectively demonstrate your software's operation and emphasize its major features and benefits.
When selecting videos and pictures, be certain they are of excellent quality and visually attractive. Avoid utilizing excessively crowded or cluttered photos, as they may be difficult to grasp for potential consumers.
Also, consider selecting app icons that are both distinctive and visually attractive. An appealing app name or icon can help your app stand out in search results and capture the user's attention.
Adding visual appeal to your app's listing is a continuous effort, and it's critical to constantly update the photos and videos on your app store page to keep your listing fresh and up to date!
Reviews and ratings are unquestionably important considerations for consumers, particularly those new to an app brand. Apps with better ratings would rank higher as well. This approach presents a problem: you need more reviews and ratings but no negatives.
As a result, you'll need a way to communicate with your consumers within your app, offering them a place to express themselves and engage directly with the publisher.
Conversely, encourage your satisfied clients to post positive feedback.
How do you do that?
Encourage users to rate and review your app by making it simple for them to do so. Consider including in-app prompts or reminders asking users to rate and review your app after using it.
It is critical to respond quickly to consumer input, whether positive or negative. By responding to customer feedback and suggestions, you show that you appreciate their opinion and are dedicated to providing an exceptional user experience. Responding to user feedback increases potential users' confidence and trustworthiness.
Positive app reviews and ratings can result in more downloads and higher search rankings, so consider giving prizes or unique content to encourage users to post reviews and ratings. However, you must follow Apple's criteria for rewarding reviews and ratings to prevent breaches.
What else? Updating your app is essential for enhancing its reviews, user engagement, and search rankings. You demonstrate your dedication to providing an exceptional customer experience by correcting issues and implementing new features.
Regular updates can assist in keeping your software fresh and up-to-date, enticing customers to keep using it. App stores prefer constantly updated apps, so ensure your app is up-to-date and useful.
Consider integrating user input and fixing any concerns or difficulties users highlight when upgrading your app. Responding to comments quickly will help you create trust and credibility with potential users and boost your app's ratings and reviews.
Regular app updates can help your app stay competitive in a continuously changing industry. Adding new features and functionality to your app may attract new users while increasing engagement and retention rates.
Similarly, monitoring and testing your app's performance also matters as well.
Monitoring your app's analytics may help you uncover patterns and chances for improvement, allowing you to make data-driven decisions to increase the visibility and engagement of your app. A/B testing may test different listing components and techniques to see what performs best for your app.
Experimenting with alternative keywords, app icons, app images, and descriptions to find what connects most with potential users is part of this process. Testing and tweaking your ASO approach will help boost your app's search ranks and attract more engaged users.
You can stay ahead of the competition and improve your app for greater exposure and engagement by monitoring and evaluating its performance and analytics.
App store optimization is a continuous process. App stores are always evolving. And they are very competitive. That implies ASO must be an ongoing element of your app marketing strategy.
You should continuously be fine-tuning and monitoring your ASO efforts. Even if you reach a point where you're content with your app store performance (pro tip: never be satisfied), things change.
Your competition could beat you. The landscape may transform. App shops' criteria or algorithms can be updated. However, you can increase your app's exposure and chances of success in the app stores by regularly using the ASO tactics outlined in this guide.
So, why not start unearthing keywords and tracking rankings with us?
At MarsDevs, we can help you optimize your app's listing and attract more users. So, why not check us out?
Contact us today, and we will be your ASO guide at every step!
App Store Optimization (ASO) is a way of enhancing an app's visibility in app marketplaces. Each app is rated in app stores based on a variety of factors. You may rank higher and generate more downloads by effectively employing appropriate keywords, useful images, and localized descriptions.
ASO focuses on expert resource applications for increasing the ranking of mobile applications (apps) directly within app stores (such as iTunes, Google Play, and Windows Store).
Key indicators such as store rankings, keyword rankings, conversion rates, and user retention give insight into the performance and behavior of your app.
