“The global mobile application market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.2% to reach $311,249 million by 2023”. This shows that how far we’ve come and help mobile app development companies to paint a picturesque image of where we’re going and the mobile app trends we’ll all likely be embracing in the not-too-distant-future.
The mobile app design and development market gain huge recognition at a global level as apps become the basic need of anyone.
With the increasing demand for mobile applications, businesses are utilizing apps for gaining a larger customer base and enhancing user satisfaction. And to place their apps at the top places, companies are spending a huge amount on ASO. Based on market players, App Store consumer spending is expected to surpass $122 billion in 2019. To put that into perspective, that’s approximate twice the size of the global box office market for major feature films.
What is App Store Optimization (ASO)?
App Store Optimization (ASO) is the process of improving the visibility of a mobile app within an Apple App Store & Google Play. It’s like SEO, focus on high rankings and click-through rate (CTR). Additionally, app store optimization also helps in increasing the conversion of app store impressions into downloads.
Popular Brands that uses App Store Optimization
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- Netflix
- Google Maps
- Gmail
- Spotify Music
- Amazon
- Uber
- TikTok
Key ASO Factors
The main factors of App Store Optimization are:
On-metadata factors
On-metadata factors include:
- App Name / Title, Subtitle
- Keywords, Headings
- Short & Long Description
- URL
- Icon
- App’s Screenshots
- Feature Graphic
- Video and App Size
Off-metadata factors
Off-metadata factors include:
- Volume & velocity of installs
- Volume of ratings and reviews and the average rating
What are the benefits of ASO?
There are various factors of ASO, the main once are:
- Improve your Visibility
- Attract Relevant Users
- Increase Organic Downloads
- Cut User Acquisition Costs
- Increase Revenue and Conversion Rate
- Grow User Base Worldwide
How the App Store Optimization Work?
For mobile app ASO, mobile application development companies follow the following steps:
Title
Whether it’s SEO or ASO, content is king. Therefore, it is mandatory to write a title that describes your app moto clearly with meaningful keywords
Description
Write a clear and concise app description for your app. The description must tell the user what the app offers within a limit of 4,000 characters.
Keywords
Keywords are the backbone of App Store Optimization (ASO) and, therefore, must be chosen carefully. Include keywords in all possible sections to increase your search results.
Icon
Brand identity plays an important role in the success of an app. So select your logo and icons carefully that can fit in the mind of an audience.
Screenshot of the application
Add screenshots of your app so choose well what you want to show to prospective buyers is critical: the difference between the users an app download or skip to the next.
Category
In ASO, app categories help users discover new apps that fit their requirements. Categories are displayed as a list in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, users can find out top apps by tapping on any category.
Video of the app
According to AdColony study, “93% of top-tier advertisers said that video ads were one of the most effective ad formats for them”.
Add an exciting app preview video that explains all your app’s features so it can draw the attention of users so they can tab the play button.
Ratings
App Store and Google Play Store, both use app reviews and app store ratings in their app store search ranking algorithms. This helps new users build trust in registered apps.
Comments
Users comment on the application enhance the ASO positioning of an app and it also helps mobile app developers to realize the strengths and weaknesses of the app and provide an opportunity to correct errors if any.
Downloads
This is an ascertaining factor in the app stores. Downloads affect app ranking which is very important for apps to be successful in the app market. Don’t try to fool the search engine by downloading from robots, spam, etc. it will affect the ranking negatively.
Link Building
Just like website link building, app link building also plays an important role in enhancing app visibility. It is good to build a link on a site with high traffic.
Conclusion
App store optimization strategies can make or break your app in front of users' eyes so choose wisely all plans to promote your app in the App Store and Play store.