App Store Optimization

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Increasing App Store Ranking with Smart Design

There are many factors app stores consider when ranking apps, only one of them being what we work on in app store optimization. Good apps are always looking at ways to increase user acquisition externally (by way of marketing/branding) and internally (by way of design).    An important internal app metric to consider is user engagement - How long users spend in your app? Most apps have a lag time at one point or another, loading the next screen, refreshing feeds, etc. Sure, you could put in another ad to boost your revenue. But why do that when you can improve your revenue exponentially by improving the user experience!   Snapchat recently released a new version. Among other features, they added a ghost that dances while your feed updates. So instead of thinking about refreshing your feed for the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 seconds it can usually take to get new information, the Snapchatter is entertained by the cute little dancing ghost. And more importantly, the user is not going to check their other apps during the refresh. This is a really effective, and simple, solution to keeping your user engaged with your app by way of design. Take a tip from Snapchat, and keep your users engaged by improving their experience, not just pushing new stimulus and ads to their screen.

The bottom line: there are lots of ways to increase your user base and revenue, pick the ones that fundamentally satisfy your app brand and increase user retention.

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Send your app link to : [email protected]

Visit website: http://themobileaction.com

[appstoreoptimization101]

App Store Rankings: A Bloody Battlefield- (Case Study)

Apple is usually very strict on developers when it comes to their app store. If they see any foul play, they’ll shut down an account. However, reviews and ratings have always been a high-corruption battlefield. And recently, some holes in Apple’s anti-corruption measures have come into question. We pulled the reviews written by Adam Vickers222, as shown in the screenshot below. His reviews include a 5-star, shining review for SeatGeek, and poor reviews for three direct competitors to SeatGeek. This is prime example of an app store optimization campaign gone wrong.

App store optimization strategies like this don’t work. Not only do they dilute your credibility (as Apple gets better and better at catching this type of corruption), but it also simply won’t work. Apps are continuously seeking new ratings, and one poor rating won’t do much in the bigger picture. It’s more worthwhile to direct your money to campaigns that inherently boost your competitive strategy.

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Send your app link to : [email protected]

Visit website: http://themobileaction.com

[appstoreoptimization101]

Start Strong: Optimization Before Publication

Whether you like to admit it or not, apps are not created equal. In fact, if you’re publishing your first app, you’re already at a disadvantage compared to multi-app publishers. The truth is, app stores don’t release information on how to optimize apps for their stores on purpose. They’re trying to create an equal playing field for developers. While noble, it’s also wholly unrealistic.

So what can you do to optimize your app for maximum downloads and rankings?

There’s no sure-fire way to jerry rig the system, but it’s always a good idea to start your optimization journey as soon as possible—pre-production.And I say journey because it is a journey, not a one shot deal. Your success depends on your willingness to test and adjust your strategies. Pre-production optimization reserves you certain advantages that, while not impossible, are more difficult post-production.

1) Flexibility. Starting the optimization journey pre-production affords you a level of flexibility otherwise more difficult post-production. In your infancy stage, it’s easier to gain powerful insights by testing and adjusting strategies (i.e. budgets, categories, keywords, etc) without too much effect on your user base.

2) App Features. A good app store optimization expert should be able to advise you on features to include in your app that will help boost rankings and reviews (i.e.in-app purchases strategies, ratings and review incentives, etc). While publishing updates is not too difficult and encouraged, it’s always best to get a strong start in the app store.

3) Focused effort. Lastly, your app store expert should know that not only are apps not created equal, but neither are app stores. Whether or not you’re making your app native for each device, you might be missing an opportunity to increase your ranking in an app store because your app does not cater to the specific app store ranking algorithm. For example, The Simpson: Tapped Out app shows a greater success in the Apple Store than Google Play Center.

With that said, we know that budgets are tight when you’re still prototyping and drawing wireframes. But if you can swing it, pre-production app store optimization will give you an unparalleled app store advantage and market understanding.

GET YOUR FREE APP REPORT 

Send your app link to : [email protected]

Visit website: http://themobileaction.com