Help People Find Your App

Yesterday we hosted a breakfast seminar where we talked about app store optimization. Here is a short recap with some of the parts we discussed.

What is ASO?

App Store Optimization is similar to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but for app stores. It is about making your app discoverable and enticing to download.

• Improve visibility
• Increase organic downloads
• Boost conversion rates

Your App Store Playground

In the app stores (Apple and Google) you have the following content to play around with:

Title - Maximum 30 characters.

Subtitle/Short Description - Maximum 50 characters.

App Icon - 1024x1024

Screenshots - Up to 10, can be videos.

Description - A longer description of the purpose of your app.

What′s new - Highlight the latest feature or update.

Ratings - You want to get as high rating as possible (many reviews & high rating).

Imagine you′ve built an amazing app, but no one knows it exists.

Some Tips and Tricks

Title

Recommended format is "Brand name: Keyword & Keyword".

You want to show your absolute core values and features here.

Subtitle

Companies typically use their slogan here. But avoid making it generic, instead use the characters to add relevant keywords. Target keywords you think users will search for when looking for an app like yours.

The App Icon

Use an icon that stands out. Try to avoid to use text in the logo.

The Screenshots

Screenshots are important, they give potential users a glimpse of what they can expect. Be creative. Make them stand out.

PS: You can show videos here as well.

Keywords (Apple only)

In App Store you have 100 characters for keywords you want to target. Make sure you don’t repeat the keywords in the title and the subtitle. Make the list a comma-separated list without spacing to have room for more keywords.

Suggested format: <fitness,weightlifting,sport,nutrition,crossfit>

Long description (Google Play)

In Play Store you should use the most important keywords you target around 4-5 times each in the description. You have a 4000 character limit, use it.

PS: Paste your terms of service and privacy policy links in here as well.

Reviews and Ratings

A low rating decreases your app′s visibility in the stores.

• Respond to all reviews.

PS: On Google Play Store you can even reply to reviews with the keywords you want to target.

• Be humble and listen to the critique.
• Ask for reviews in the app - but make sure to do it at the right time.