If you’ve got an app that isn’t doing so well
in the app store, or is one that is newly created there may be some tips that can
help increase your app’s exposure. There are a number of ways you can increase your
app’s exposure on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
The most obvious way to increase the number
of hits your app will get is to find more succinct and clear ways of describing
the app. A lot of time should go into considering exactly what tags you want to
use for example, but starting from the top down, the first part of your app to consider
is the name itself!
Google Play allows for 30 characters, and the
Apple Store allows for 255 characters but will only show the first 25 characters
when searching. Use your app name to not only come up with a unique brand, but also
to quickly convey the app’s functions and purpose. The next parts to look into adding
detail to is the app description. With 4000 characters to work with you can really
pack in some good information about your app, and also use it to add in some sales
lingo. The description is as much a descriptive field as it is a sales pitch to
potential downloaders. Knowing your competitors and your users along with carefully
selected word choice can help increase not only your appeal to potential users,
but also help bring your app closer to the top of the search list.
Relating to the way smartphone users search
for apps, it’s important to have good keyword tags. This is a feature for the Apple
Store only and is limited to 100 characters, but it can help bring your app up in
the ranks of the App Store. If you use bland descriptive keywords for an app it
may hurt your chances at being on the first page. What is important to remember
is that while you are advertizing to humans, the search function is a robot. Putting
in keyword tags like edit, photo, or camera for an app that lets you customize your
photos won’t get you very far. But more specific tags like selfie, glamour, or filter
will likely get you more hits and bring the app closer to the popular search list.
Also make use of the limited space, put commas between keywords but don’t use spaces.
The app icon is also a great way to get possible
users to click on your app. If the icon is similar to other apps that do the same
thing it is likely to get lost among all the other apps out there. It’s especially
important to have one that is aesthetically pleasing, avoid poor colour combinations
and low quality graphics. The same can be said for the screenshots you choose to
use of the app. Make sure they are high quality, and don’t just show what the app
looks like. Make the screenshots tell users something unique about the app and show
off the features that make the app special. For Google Play you can also use a video
to display the app’s functions. If you can take advantage of this you should do
so!
An overlooked way to better market your app
is to select a category that the app may do well in. Some categories are more crowded
than others, so it can be beneficial to choose one that still relates to you app
but is not as highly populated.
Outside of the app store
While it’s certainly important to describe and
market your app well on the Apple or Google stores don’t think that your work ends
there. There are plenty of websites that can help you bring a spotlight on your
app! You can find ways to get your app on review websites, either free or paid as
a way to let others speak up on behalf of your hard work. Some sites to consider
include Appmodo, App Guide, App Advice, Gizmodo, App Store Love, and Pocket Full
of Apps just to name a few out there!
Advertizing is also just as important, especially
if you happen to have positive reviews you can throw in. Social media can be an
easy DIY form of advertisement. Other ways to spread the word include online or
print press releases. Youtube is also a great way to advertise, so if you have time
to make a promotional video (or already have one from Google Play) put it online
as a way to increase traffic to your app.
All of these methods should help you maximize
the amount of information about your app you can put both on and off of the Apple
or Google Stores. Never forget that even after all your hard work put into making
an app, marketing requires just as much work to finally reap the rewards of your
hard work!