Appnext Jonathan
Newbie
- May 28, 2015
- 30
- 1
As hard as it is to become a hit in the Appstore of Google Play - it's not over. The worst is still ahead. One of the main tools to optimize an app and generate traffic - the App keywords - is quickly fading away. There are no longer available popular keywords that don't have thousands of quality apps competing for them. Using less popular keywords may still work in many cases, but you won't reach the masses using them.
So what should app developers do?
The very first step for every app developer nowadays is to understand that the focus has shifted from quantity to quality. High conversion rates in your app download page can, in many cases, make up for the lack of sufficient traffic. As a result, there are quite a number of action items that now must take place in order to optimize your app on Google Play and the App Store:
1. Icon, Description, Screenshots and Video - The other components of your app page are now more important than ever. It is absolutely essential that you create quality text and materials. Don't go live without a quality video and a unique, high-resolution icon. Killer text is also key because that will, more than anything, make users understand what your app is all about. Quality now beats quantity, so you are much better off with fewer but more loyal and targeted users.
2. Ratings/Reviews - These now have a huge impact on your App Store position. Use all the tools you can to reach your users and have them rate. Most users need a small ‘push' to go and rate your app. So don't force them to do it, but don't be shy about it either. Just make sure you address them and reach out to those who pointed them out. Nothing beats good customer service.
3. Virality - There are no better users than those who installed your app based off of a recommendation from a close friend or relative. Make sure your users have an easy-to-use ability to recommend you on Facebook, Twitter or any other relevant social network. Connecting to Game Center (for iOS games) and using Facebook login API may also help.
4. Avoiding Common "hardcore BlackHat' Mistakes - Those who do everything right, but take shortcuts, will ultimately get it all wrong. The list is long; incentivized installs, trademark violations... These shortcuts will only get you so far. Plus, it will all go down the drain when Google or Apple finds out.
5. Getting Featured In The App Store - If there's one shortcut to success, this is it. Getting featured in the store will get you thousands of installs overnight, if not more. The bad news is Google and Apple are controlling it. The good news is that their store content team is always on the lookout for new and interesting apps to showcase. While reaching those teams is pretty hard, there are still some things that can improve your chances to be featured in the store:
a. iOS - Don't wait until the last minute. Look for Apple representatives (Apple Developer Relations Managers) and email them with your app prototype. Once it's ready to go live, email them with all the relevant materials and information to: appstorepromotion at apple dot com. If you have marketing materials, include them:appstoremarketing at apple dot com. Don't be shy.
b. Android - No way to actually email them.... So just make sure to create your app according to Google's Best Practices and make sure you localize your app page and content. Google loves localized content.
6. Keywords - Keywords are still important, as long as you use them to find relevant users (other than just ‘a whole lot of users'). Think about what your average or ideal users would be searching for. Use the terms you think they would use to find your app. Check out your direct competitors and learn from them. Just disregard popularity and focus only on relevancy.
Even with these tips, success can be hard to gain, but these steps will make sure you do the maximum to get it right. My 2 cents
So what should app developers do?
The very first step for every app developer nowadays is to understand that the focus has shifted from quantity to quality. High conversion rates in your app download page can, in many cases, make up for the lack of sufficient traffic. As a result, there are quite a number of action items that now must take place in order to optimize your app on Google Play and the App Store:
1. Icon, Description, Screenshots and Video - The other components of your app page are now more important than ever. It is absolutely essential that you create quality text and materials. Don't go live without a quality video and a unique, high-resolution icon. Killer text is also key because that will, more than anything, make users understand what your app is all about. Quality now beats quantity, so you are much better off with fewer but more loyal and targeted users.
2. Ratings/Reviews - These now have a huge impact on your App Store position. Use all the tools you can to reach your users and have them rate. Most users need a small ‘push' to go and rate your app. So don't force them to do it, but don't be shy about it either. Just make sure you address them and reach out to those who pointed them out. Nothing beats good customer service.
3. Virality - There are no better users than those who installed your app based off of a recommendation from a close friend or relative. Make sure your users have an easy-to-use ability to recommend you on Facebook, Twitter or any other relevant social network. Connecting to Game Center (for iOS games) and using Facebook login API may also help.
4. Avoiding Common "hardcore BlackHat' Mistakes - Those who do everything right, but take shortcuts, will ultimately get it all wrong. The list is long; incentivized installs, trademark violations... These shortcuts will only get you so far. Plus, it will all go down the drain when Google or Apple finds out.
5. Getting Featured In The App Store - If there's one shortcut to success, this is it. Getting featured in the store will get you thousands of installs overnight, if not more. The bad news is Google and Apple are controlling it. The good news is that their store content team is always on the lookout for new and interesting apps to showcase. While reaching those teams is pretty hard, there are still some things that can improve your chances to be featured in the store:
a. iOS - Don't wait until the last minute. Look for Apple representatives (Apple Developer Relations Managers) and email them with your app prototype. Once it's ready to go live, email them with all the relevant materials and information to: appstorepromotion at apple dot com. If you have marketing materials, include them:appstoremarketing at apple dot com. Don't be shy.
b. Android - No way to actually email them.... So just make sure to create your app according to Google's Best Practices and make sure you localize your app page and content. Google loves localized content.
6. Keywords - Keywords are still important, as long as you use them to find relevant users (other than just ‘a whole lot of users'). Think about what your average or ideal users would be searching for. Use the terms you think they would use to find your app. Check out your direct competitors and learn from them. Just disregard popularity and focus only on relevancy.
Even with these tips, success can be hard to gain, but these steps will make sure you do the maximum to get it right. My 2 cents
