Why Should Mobile App Developers Focus on App Ratings and Reviews?

While launching an app, mobile app developers have just one goal in their minds: ‘to get higher downloads’. But is it so easy? In the battle of reaching the screens of the user’s smartphones and rule their mind, your app is not only one of its kind; there are hundreds of amazing apps participating in this race. In such a scenario, how can you make way to user’s phone and enjoy success? Is there any way to convince users that your app is best of all, even before they try your app?

Gladly, there’s one method of doing so, and that’s App ratings and reviews.

App Ratings and Reviews

According to a survey, nearly 59% of users who lands on your app page check the user ratings and reviews first. Based on the user feedback, they determine if your app is worth enough to invest time and efforts. They make their mind if they wish to download your app or not, which ultimately means the app ratings and reviews act as the right tool to increase your app downloads.

The app ratings/reviews not only convince users but also enhance your app performance and give a competitive edge to it. The marketers revealed that a positive set of user reviews increases the user engagement and retention rate, which has a strong impact on the app ranking in the app store. In 2015, WhatsApp Messenger achieved a high ranking on Google Play Store with 23 million 5-star ratings. While some users were familiar with its features and functionalities, the other users depend on the positive feedbacks for deciding to use the app. On the top of it, the Google play store also consider the keywords used in the review section, which clearly defines that focusing on the app reviews can improve your ASO strategy.

Besides, the ratings and reviews are also an effective medium for the mobile application developers to determine which feature of their app is working apt, while which one needs improvement. From the information gathered from the ratings and reviews, the app developers can easily make a roadmap to push an app update and increase the app ROI.

Tips to Improve Your App Ratings and Reviews

Now, as you know how App Ratings and Reviews help in app discovery and boost the app ranking and conversion rate, are you ready to invest in these ASO elements? Here are some of the tips to increase app ratings and reviews, and enjoy the positive impact:

1. Create a Great App

The best method to get higher app ratings and positive reviews is to build a bug-free, user-centric app. When your mobile application will be useful and effective, the users would like to express their happiness and recommend your app to others, for which ratings and reviews are the best tools.

Remember, the happier your end users are, the better ratings and reviews your app will get.

2. Encourage users to share their experience

Not all the smartphone users using your app will rate it on their own, especially till they don’t have anything negative to say. Therefore, it’s mandatory for the mobile app developers to reach the end users and encourage them to rate their application or share their feedback.

However, the approach should be genuine and pleasant. You should not annoy the user by asking for ratings and reviews again and again. The user shouldn’t be forced to give ratings, he should be encouraged only. Otherwise, you might have to face negative ratings, which will lower down your app ranking and result in app abandonment.

3. Respond to negative reviews wisely

No doubt, a negative rating or review is unpleasant, but it can be tamed for your better future. A user will add a negative feedback only if he finds something annoying or useless in your app. By considering the negative review, you can come across the feature of the app that needs to be improved. You can sit with your team and work on app maintenance or push an update. This will enhance your app performance as well as make the user feel appreciated. He would remain hooked with your app and recommend to others as well.

The best way to deal with negative reviews without making your app review section appear clumsy is to ask for a review in a private message. This way, you will be able to keep your review page appear neat and positive along with making the end user connected with the app team directly.

Remember, providing an exemplary customer support can turn user’s feedback from negative to positive and app ratings from 1 to 5.

4. Find your engaged users

Every user using your mobile application will be having a different experience. Some might be bored, frustrated, facing issues, enjoying or on the verge of uninstalling it. Out of all, you have to find out which active user is actually enjoying your app and reach the individual for higher ratings and reviews. Use various app performance metrics to find which user is spending more time on your app and using it, and then, ask him for sharing his experience. While several people commit the mistake of asking the review at the beginning itself, the best way is to let the user use the application for a while. And once he reaches in the moment of joy, ask him to send a feedback. This way, you can grab more positive feedbacks and enjoy the perks of app reviews and ratings – a secret weapon to make your app go viral.

Wrapping Up

Neglecting app ratings and reviews is like throwing a party but not asking guests if they are enjoying or not. So, the app developers should consider app ratings and reviews if they want to win the hearts of target audience and ask them to return their app. Follow the above-mentioned tips and increase the chances of effective ASO marketing and app ROI.