App Store Optimization (ASO) – Tips and Tricks to Boost Your App’s Visibility and Downloads

What is App Store Optimization?

It is basically a process to improve the ranking and visibility of an app in the app store. This makes it easier for the users to find your app without them putting in their hard effort and time.

In other words, it is called app store SEO or SO marketing. Although when it comes to app store optimization, there are a lot of factors to consider, some of the major ones are app title, keywords, app description, number of downloads, updates, ratings & reviews, and so on.

Apple App Store Vs Google Play Store - App Store Optimization

Despite some similarities, the Apple App Store and Google Play Store have many differences that will impact your ASO efforts.

So before you make your app available in the app stores, make sure that it is reviewed and approved by both platforms. Then depending on the size and complexity of your app, app clearance might take anywhere from a complete day to more than a week.

So if you are planning to launch or update your app on a specific date, it will be wise to submit it at least a week beforehand.

If we get back to differences, the keywords field and the subtitle are two further distinctive features found only in the Apple App Store as Google Play Store does not provide the same. In contrast, Google Play Store offers a brief description field, something that Apple doesn’t offer at all.

In addition to this, there are many other variations between the platforms that demand adequate attention. The key among them is the ranking factor. You must know how the Apple App Store ranks iOS apps as compared to Google Play.

Ranking Factors for Apple App Store

Well here are some key factors to rank high on Apple App Store

• App’s name
• App’s subtitle
• App’s URL
• Keywords
• Total app installs and user engagement
• Reviews and ratings
• App updates
• In-app purchase titles and descriptions

Ranking Factors for Google Play Store

Google Play Store ranks an app slightly differently from the Apple App Store. Here are some key factors to rank high on Google Play Store.

• App’s title
• App’s short description
• App’s long description
• Total app installs and user engagement
• Reviews and ratings
• In-app purchase titles and descriptions
• App updates

After going through these factors you must be aware of the techniques that you can use to rank higher. Still, if you have even minor doubts here is the ultimate solution that includes tricks and tips that have practically proven their worth and can take app store optimization to the next level because 7 seconds is all it takes for an audience to decide whether to download the app or not.

7 App Store Optimization Tips to Get an Edge Over Competitors

URL optimization, right keyword research, app rating & reviews, generation & handling deep linking within mobile applications, indexation of mobile apps in Google SERPS (search engine results pages), Click-through rate (CTR) optimization, and so on.

Here are some of the tested & trusted ways you can go with, for organic App Store Optimization.

# Tip 1: Work on Descriptive Title

A good name will not only help with identification but will also help you improve rankings. Apart from this, if you include the keyword in the title it will help you rank 10% higher.

# Tip 2: Use Keyword Wisely

Go for thorough keyword research. Analyze its traffic, difficulty, demand, number of apps that are already using the same keyword, and other such factors. Keywords with high traffic and a moderate to low no. of apps are good enough to go with.

Bonus Advice: Use words rather than phrases and avoid using conjunctions, prepositions, and spaces.

# Tip 3: App Description

Description plays a major role in clarifying doubts and closing the deal right on the spot. So make sure to include what your app does, what problem it solves, how it can make a user’s life easy, and whether is it worth the price tag.

# Tip 4: Impressive & Quality Screenshots

High-quality app store screenshots are one of the influential factors when it comes to motivating an audience to download an app. You can go with certain tools like Figma and AppLaunch pad to add life to screenshots.

# Tip 5: App Preview Video

Screenshots alone are not enough to clarify all doubts. A short app video on the features and benefits of an app can clarify doubts. It can increase the chances of downloading on the spot.

# Tip 6: Appropriate Category

It is essential to place your app in the right app category on both Apple App Store as well as Google Play Store. It will help improve the overall rank of your app and provide users instantly with what they are looking for.

# Tip 7: Put Stress on Designing Icons

There is a direct correlation between ranking & downloads. This means the number of downloads will help to increase the overall ranking of an app. Well, this is where you can increase downloads by going with designs that are engaging, eye-catching, and not too similar to other apps.

5 Bonus Tricks to Make a Breakthrough in the App Store Market

# Trick 1:

App Stores use keyword triggers in the app’s name, app title, app description, & other associated fields. So spend enough time on keyword research as well as keyword optimization.

# Trick 2:

Focus on the presentation of your app store product page. It will directly affect the number of downloads.

# Trick 3:

If you want to increase the click-through rates (CTR) of impressions, put efforts into thumbnail images and screenshots that you use in the app store for marketing or promotion.

# Trick 4:

A/B testing of each app store field is essential to continuously improve key metrics associated with the field.

# Trick 5:

Apple Spotlight Search can prove to be a boon. This will help users search the apps that they have already installed on their devices. Enabling this search will also impact app use and engagement level.

Partner With Apptunix to Increase Chances of Ranking Higher

Although there are many many factors that account for the overall ranking in Apple App Store and Google Play Store, one factor that plays a significant role in brand awareness is how the tech stack and experts have played their role in app development. This is so because an app with good UX/UI and a seamless performance during peak hours can easily become the first choice of customers. This is where you start getting word-of-mouth promotions for your app.

Well, this is where Apptunix can help you with. Aptunix is a top mobile app development company with a creamy layer of expertise by its side that can help you bring your dream project in front of an audience worldwide.