It was recently announced that Apple was acquiring the app search engine Chomp. AppAdvice says the acquisition will result in an overhaul of iTunes, revamping its appearance and improving search. If you haven’t given much thought to app store optimization (ASO), now is the time to do so.
We’ve already mentioned that if you want your app to stick, you need to be revolutionary. But what steps can you take to try and improve your odds of competing with similar apps in the app store? Here are four areas to keep in mind as you go through the process.
Keywords – Choosing the right keywords is an essential element when it comes to getting your app seen and purchased. Apple limits the amount of characters you can use, so it’s important to choose a few great keywords, rather than using some that are just remotely related. Choose a few consistent keywords that can easily be used in your app description as well.
Description – The app’s description should be short and sweet, while still informing the customer of what they are getting into. The App Store is riddled with apps that were booed upon release just because the product was not what was described in the description write-up. Be concise, clear and try to fit in your major keyword. If you’re banking on the keyphrase of ‘task management’ then clearly say your app is a task management app in the first sentence of the description.
Screenshots – Screenshots are very important. You need to impress potential buyers/downloaders with the quality of your graphics and user interface. Choose shots that will illustrate this and emphasize how easy, useful or fun it is. The better your screenshots are, the better the impression you’ll make.
Icon – It may be asking a lot, but the icon you design for your app should be instantly recognizable. Facebook and Twitter have simple icons, but they are also instantly recognizable because they play off of already existing sites. If you don’t have an accompanying site, make sure that your icon represents what you app does without being too reminiscent of similar apps. Instagram, Hipstamatic and Camera! are all similar apps with similar icons, but they are distinct enough that users can easily identify them.
What are some other tricks you’ve used to improve your ASO? Tweet at us and let us know! And if you’re looking for brands that have made fun and effective apps, check out our white paper.
