App Store Optimization Checklist To Improve Your App Rating

Apps are developed for a purpose and that purpose can only be achieved if the applications rank at the top searches. And, when it comes to providing higher searches there is no escaping from ASO or app store optimization practice. There are the set of guidelines that help marketers rank their application at the top searches for the users. The more the searches, the more the visibility. And, an increased visibility is all that your application needs to get under the attention span of the users. Among a number of practices that marketers opt for, there are a few that actually provide the preferred results. 

Here is a detailed list of ASO practices that every marketer need to follow

Know Your Customers & Competition

A well-informed ASO strategy can only be developed if you know your customers and the competition. Having a deep view of the competitive landscape is a way to know where you lack and what are your strengths. To have the beginning the right way, consider the following questions:

• What’s the competitive advantage my app is providing
• What keywords my competitors target
• What’s the top reason that would invoke my users to download the app
• How easily can I compete against competitors’ apps

A well-organized ASO strategy begins as soon as you put yourself in the customer’s shoes. The main purpose is to improve discovery in the app store searches. Surveying the competition is equally important in order to know the keywords that are in the competition.     

Using the Keywords in the Right Proportion

Google Play and App App Store have two different ideology when it comes to practicing the ASO Keyword strategies. Apple App Store has a 100 character keyword to use for title and description. Though, it is important to use the most exclusive keyword associated with your app, make use of all of the allowed character space in order to bring visibility to the app description.

Google Play, on the other hand, has a different strategy. Google offers 4000 character limit in order to help app publishers describe their application in the most prominent way. Even though there is a huge character limit with the Google Play, never try stuffing keywords in the description field. 

A Compelling Description is a Must

An app’s description is its very first introduction to the users and that is why a compelling description is a must. So, with the app description, focus on targeting the customer base, rather than impressing the search engine. The latter, of course, matters but you need to provide a proper understanding of what your application does and why users must give it a try. It is suggested to make the first three lines the most impressive for both the users and the search engines by stuffing all the keywords and app functionality in the right way. Your app’s description as well as the benefits it offers must seem impressive in order to attract the users towards the product.

Invest Some Time To Design A Unique Icon

A visual icon is the first impression of the app on users and thus it needs to be impressive. It is important to make it count as a number of users may not like to go further in case they find it unimpressive. The idea is also to make the app icon count in the favor of the app by providing it a meaningful reference in regards to the business. App Store & Google Play vary in their ideas of approaching icon and thus it makes sense to go further by keeping the preferred guidelines into the mind. For App Store the icon size should match 1024*1024 (navigation icon must remain 66*66, while tab bar icon can be designed as 75*75). While Google Play, the limitation is 512*512. 

The Bottom Line

For every developer or the app publisher out there who is into the business of designing the applications, it is important to follow the guidelines of both the app stores so that their app could rank well in the search. The prescribed suggestions could additionally help to provide extended visibility to the apps. Thus, practice the one that seems the most beneficial for your apps.