App Store Optimization: Quick Guide for Success in 2016

This article is from my blog
App Store Optimization: Quick Guide for Success in 2016
App Store Optimization (ASO) is the guerilla strategy of jacking your ranking and visibility in app store. Whether you’re in Apple or Google, utilizing and enhancing your app store optimization is the best way to gain and retain loyal app users.

We will discuss about 2 factors and their elements that contributes to the performance of App Store Optimization – The Quick Guide for Success in 2016

App Store Opmitization (ASO) is the guerilla strategy of jacking your ranking and visibility in app store. Whether you’re in Apple or Google, utilizing and enhancing your app store optimization is the best way to gain and retain loyal app users.

We will discuss about 2 factors and their elements that contributes to the performance of your app store optimization. Here they are:

App Store Optimization On-site (app page) Factors

• There are so much to tell about KEYWORD.

Just like SEO, keyword does really matter, a lot. When trying to dominate the list, you should always aim for high relevance and low competition keywords. Organic searches will always be favorable to those apps who walks in the low competition road. However, having said that, if you try to roll with the topnotchers in major categories like games, you need to do more than simple keyword research.

• The Name or The Title

The name or the title of your app represents a keyword ping for Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Both have limited numbers of characters, so you need to be definite about the name of your app. A catchy name will always win the user, however, the “keyword” matters more with the store. So you need to mix those two really well – a Catchy and Keywordy name.

• The Description

Of course it’s all about again; with keywords. But stuffing it will not make it any better, instead, it will hurt you more. The best approach to writing the description is to write it according to the best interest of the user, and with the natural use of keywords.

There’s a trick to it – be sure to write the best convincing words on the first sentence of your description. That’s the part that will be shown right after the user open your app page.

• Images and Video

These are the second promotional campaign that you can show to the user and win their tap. Images, like screenshots of your app, tells what’s the best you can offer. It should tell about the experience, the fun and greatness of using your app. Of course you need to make it look professional and use high-quality images.

A video will also do wonders since it is more convincing than images and screenshots.

App Store Optimization is nothing more but customer base orientation. That’s what we’ve learn from SEO. Google takes everything to next level. If you always think of the user first rather than thinking about the system, you’ll be in good hands.

App Store Optimization Off-site Factors

• App Icon

The best icon wins. Users always look for the unique icon. In fact, icon entices users to click the app rather than looking at the ratings.

If you can invest on creating the best icon, then go for it. It’s one of the best off-site strategy you can do.

• App Ratings and Reviews

The users experience will weigh the gravity of the performance of your app. The most common strategy of apps in generating ratings and reviews is a popup button. However, it is one of the most annoying strategy. When a user is at the moment of doing something, he/she don’t want to be interrupted. It’s a trial and error strategy. So find the best approach in generating good ratings and reviews.

Obviously, when an app has low rating and got more bad reviews than the good ones, it will always hurt the ranking and visibility.

• Number of Downloads

Apps which have more volume of downloads will always rank higher – especially within the last 30 days.

• Number of Uninstalls and Rate of Usage

This will greatly affect your ranking. Similar to bounce rate in the SEO aspect, the number of uninstalls will determine the dissatisfaction rate of users.

Let’s try to see it in the eyes of Google; when a free or paid app is popular and many users are constantly using it, ads will be everywhere and in-game purchases is common. It’s a win-win deal for Google and the developer.

• App Updates

Another way of maintaining and climbing the rank is through app updates. But be sure that every update should always bring more good experience. Bad updates will contribute to low rating and scary reviews.

An update will also show the credibility of the developer.

• Branding

Some users find preference with the experience of the brand (developer).

• Backlinking and Social Proof

A popular app will always be everywhere. You have to understand that links from sites that talks about your app, as well as social links, will always contribute to your app store optimization.

When popularity increases, downloads will also increase. It’s a direct relationship.

App Store Optimization in General Outlook
It’s always about the user’s end.

Except keywords, every factor relates to the user’s interests. From icons to backlinks, there’s always the intervention and attention to the user’s needs.

It means, you have to understand what are your user needs and cater to want they want.

The system’s algorithm is also trying to achieve that.

What are the other factors that might affect ASO?

Tell us what you think…

Great article, big thumbs up

Brilliant article....

That real way to do it all .

Very well written....

Thank you...