App Store Optimization: Factors that Result in Higher Visibility

Mobile Application is a great business. They lead to broader revenue for the companies which are part of the app economy. In a recent survey, it was estimated that the app economy will be soaring $143 billion by 2016. With the growing rates in every year, the app industry has turned to be one of the hottest industry.

With the billions of mobile applications, it is certainly challenging for both iOS or Android mobile app developer to get their application noticed in the masses. This makes App Store Optimization a red hot term for app marketing experts. The higher the mobile ranks in the app store more are the visibility chances of the application to the potential customers. The ultimate goal of the App Store Optimization is to translate more traffic to your application. If you are not using the ASO to increase your app ranking in, then you will miss the largest discovery channels for your app visibility.

So here is a list of factors that result in higher visibility thus improving the chances of downloads.

1. Searching for appropriate Keyword

It is the most important aspect of App Store Optimization. Keyword research requires an intense brainstorming. You can make use of various online tools like Google Keyword Planner or Google Trends at an initial level. Once you're familiar with these basic tools, you may use some advanced tools like SensorTower, AppTweak, SearchMan, Gummicube, AppAnnie, etc. These tools can help you with keyword tracking to meet competitive needs.

Here are some quick tips for selecting keywords:

- Avoid using spacing and punctuation marks in the keyword; Google might not index this.

- Do not repeat the keywords

- Shun using numbers in words, for instance, two or three. Use 2 or 3.

- Don't bother much about pluralizing.

- Avoid using stop words like 'the', 'on', 'which', 'at', etc.

2. Optimizing the Icon

Visual is the significant component of app recognition in the app store. It does not directly effect the app algorithm but contributes significantly in the branding of the mobile app. It is crucial because it bring users in hand and obstructs them from scrolling past your app while browsing the app store. Therefore, you should develop your application icon excellent to stand out in the market.

It is probably the first impression; therefore, it is great to design a consistent icon throughout the app as well as with your website.

Here are some quick tips to design an optimizing icon:

- Do not use words

- Do not use standard gloss

- Keep it simple, clean and consistent with your app imagery

3. App Description is critical

Getting your description read by your users is like getting a user to visit your website. This is a phase when users read your content, and feels curious to download your application. It is one of the key optimizing factors. A marketer can utilize this area to sell the app on all its great features and set the correct expectations for what the user is downloading.

Here are some quick tips to App Description:

- Don’t use keywords in your description. They won’t impact searchability. Instead, focus on best describing and selling your app.

- Make intelligent utilization of first three lines of your app description.

- You may give evidence of success or popularity in the description. For, e.g., As recognized by Tech Crunch, etc.

- Include text like “Download now to see", etc.

4. Include Screen Shots

Screenshots of the application are the visual preview of the experience and capability your user can expect from downloading your app. So try to highlight the best parts of your application. Make sure to utilize all the space for screen shots with different images. You may even add some quick text to call what is being displayed if needed.

Here are some quick tips to Screen Shots:

- The screenshot should be quite enticing and self-explanatory.

- Use the highest resolution images int he screenshot.

- Use the screenshot space completely in the app store. For example, there are five screenshot area, and if you can not fit the screenshots in these allotted space, then you may combine four screenshots into one.

- You may include a marketing copy of your application.

5. Reviews and Ratings

The rating which is seen by the app store searches are the critical indicators of your app quality. They act as a social proof for undulate users to download. The more is the reviews and ratings of the mobile app; more is the app store ranking and visibility. Here is are few quick tips to get positive feedback:

- Avoid asking for feedback in the middle of using the application. It will kill the interest and may irritate the user.

- Never ask for feedback as a crash report, it is an invitation of asking for negative reviews.

- Do not beg for feedback, ask the users if they like to give a review.

Conclusion

All of the tips mentioned above will help you to improve your ranking via App Store Optimization. Of course, these tips can not do wonders alone. You need to spend time and efforts. This will certainly drive traffic to your application sooner or later. Being recognized in the mass is one of the most challenging jobs of the mobile app marketer, but it is a problem which can be actively solved.