ASO or app optimization for the App Store is a set of tasks that optimize the ranking and download of an application in the App Store, such as Google Play or Apple Store, to better visibility and more downloads, which is one of the most important concerns of mobile developers in recent years.
While there are about 2 million apps in the popular App Store right now, your app needs various techniques and optimizations to be seen. In other words, you can use the solutions that we will say in this article, you can upgrade the rank and position of your application over time in the App Stores, and as a result, you will get more active downloads and installations.
The general concept of ASO
App Store Optimization, also known as ASO, is similar to SEO optimization for web pages. Like search engines like Google, every app store has a search feature. Just as being on the first page of Google will increase the number of visitors to your website, you can also see a significant increase in the download of mobile applications by following the ASO tips.
ASO, also known as App Store Tactics, is optimizing a mobile app to improve its ranking in the Search Result of an App Store, making the app better seen by potential customers and generate more traffic. Redirects to the pages of your application in that App Store.
Of course, implementing the ASO process in the first step requires a complete understanding of the target customers. It means that you need to be fully aware of the keywords that potential customers are searching for to find similar apps. Basically, after finding the keywords, you will understand the language of your application’s potential customers and choose your keyword based on that.
The importance of using ASO optimization
According to Forrester Research Institute, 63% of apps in the App Store are installed through user searches. In other words, searching the App Store is the best way to download and visit new apps. So if you have not used ASO to increase your app ranking, you have blocked the largest user access channel.
Although hundreds of thousands of apps in each of the App Stores are overtaking each other every day, mobile app developers are reluctant to invest in app optimization. So ASO can be your secret weapon, and by following its tips, you will see its positive effects on the success of your applications as much as possible.
The main factors in optimizing the application for the App Store
The features of the two apps, Google Play and Apple Store, are different, but the two machines are almost the same. Here are the ASO solutions for each App Store separately:
1- Title in application optimization
The keyword or keyword you use in the title should have the most search traffic. Before releasing the app, be sure to spend a lot of time finding the right keyword because changing the title or using a few keywords is very damaging to the app. You should note that as the app ranks in the App Store, its name will quickly spread to other languages, but if you change the app title, new users will not easily find it.
According to research on the MobileDevHQ website, apps that use the keyword in their title have seen a 10% increase in App Store rankings.
How to choose the right name, title, and keyword to optimize the application
Half of the mobile phone users download an average of one app from the App Store every seven days. For this reason, the name of an application should be such that it attracts users’ attention. So with a little creativity and cheerfulness, you can choose an attractive and catchy name for your application. Of course, observing the following points is also very helpful in this regard:
Choose a stylish name and brand of the species.
To become the queen of users’ minds, you must choose the name of your application as a professional brand. Using a common phrase is not very attractive and engaging. On the other hand, choosing complex or strange names is not to users’ liking. For example, if you have an app that introduces and sells clothes, instead of using names such as “best men’s and women’s clothing” or “largest clothing store,” you can use more attractive items such as “clothing” or “online clothing.”
Choose names with simple pronunciations.
You may be wondering if users do a text search, why is it so important to pay attention to the pronunciation of the app name? A user’s mind processes simple names better and absorbs information faster. For example, the name KGH stays in the audience’s mind much less than KAG.
Choose a short name for the application.
Although app stores allow names of up to 30 characters, we recommend that you choose a shorter name for your app. Looking at the best apps available in the App Stores, you will notice their names are under 26 characters and about five words.
The shorter the application’s name, the better it spins in users’ mouths and the longer it stays in their minds. For example, if you want to choose a short name for your clothing store app, my clothing or apparel options are very suitable.
Choose a unique name.
Try to make your app name unique. For example, if we search for Crazy in the app stores, we will come across 100 different games with the same name. For this reason, try to choose a slightly different name for your application.
So try to use unusual, compound, or even creative words. Unique names can be created using the following solutions:
Complex words
Combining two nouns or a noun plus a verb can produce very attractive names, for example, Facebook and Go.
Combined words
Combining a part of two words can create very attractive names, but this requires a lot of creativity—for example, Pinterest is a combination of the words Pin and Interest.
Suffixes
You can make a flashy name by attaching a suffix or even a prefix to the main part. For example Clothing or Clothing
Invent the word
If the above methods were not for selecting the server’s name, a completely new name could be with a little innovation.
Use keywords in the title of the application.
Use the keywords in the title. The title that users see in the App Store should contain the keywords and trends of the application. For example, the title of the iHeartRadio-Free Music and Radio Station music app contains the keywords Music and Radio Station.
Use words related to the field of activity.
Select the title of your application related to its field of activity, which means that users will get general information about the application as soon as they see the title.
Do not use big brand names.
Never choose names and titles that other companies have already used for your application. Because not only will you get into copyright issues, but you will never gain credibility and fame.
2- Keyword to optimize the application
To get a good ranking in the search engines of the App Store, you need to be fully aware of the trend keywords that have the most searches among the target audience and use them. To do this, before releasing your application, it is better to monitor the similar products of your competitors every week to get fully acquainted with the trends of the day. With the solutions that we will introduce to you in the following, you will know the keywords and trends of the App Stores better.
- Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner and App Radar ASO Tool to find selected keywords in the last month.
- Please pay attention to similar applications and keywords used in them
- Check users’ comments and comments to find trending keywords
Select the most competitive ones after finding at least 20 keywords using the available tools. Then use the selected keywords in the name, title, subtitle (for Apple Store), description section, and keyword section in the Apple Store.
3- Application name
As explained above, the title or name of the application should quickly convey the scope of the application to the audience. In addition, titles that contain the keywords desired by users are more attractive to the App Store’s search engine and are offered to the audience. For example, the Google Map-GPS Navigation app name quickly transmits all information to the contact. Although it is good to use keywords in the title of an application, keep in mind not to use too many keywords.
4- Sub Title
This section is only available in the Apple Phone App Store and is indexed by the Apple Store search engine to search for apps, so try to provide a brief but comprehensive description of your app.
5- Description section of the App Store
This section is more important in Google Play because the App Store has short and long descriptions of 4100 characters to describe the application, which is also carefully indexed. But remember to use the keyword in this section at most 5 to 6 times. This section can use different emojis, titles, and fonts.
Of course, this section is not indexed in the Apple App Store search engine, but for users to be aware of the mechanism of your application, you must provide a complete description of it. The Apple App Store instead uses the keyword field to specify app metadata, which means that this section determines which categories your app falls into. So use all the 100 characters and separate each keyword from the rest with a comma.
The ones mentioned above were, in fact, the main factors of ASO. Here are the sub-factors of application optimization in the App Store:
6- Select an attractive icon to optimize the application
Your app is supposed to be seen among 2 million other apps, so the app icon is one of the most important points in ASO. To design a unique icon, you must first check the features of your application, for example, if your activity is in the field of banking and stock exchange, the application icon should consist of simple geometric shapes and away from any extra glamor; Simplicity makes it last forever in the memory of users.
Application icon design should be done according to the psychology of colors. In addition, shadowing techniques can be for make the icons more attractive. Using blue for icons is very common today. It does not mean that your application must be with a blue theme.
Finally, minimalist techniques can be used for designing the icon. It means that the user knows about the message and the mechanism of the application as soon as he sees the icon. Take the Twitter app icon, for example, which, while simple, creates a great visual connection with users and conveys their message easily.
7- Screenshots
To get more acquainted with the graphics and user interface of the application, users can watch its screenshots in the App Store. Use screenshots to show the application tips, write a key text on these images, and focus all the screenshots on one topic. For example, never use login pages about us and contact us in these images.
8- Preview video
The preview video attracts more users, so try to use a quality video that shows the important features of the application in the App Stores. In addition, try to use the Aparat video URL because watching it in the App Store will increase the ranking of your video on the device.
9- Localizing the application
If you want your app to be internationally successful, translate parts of it into other languages, such as a preview video or text description of screenshots in the App Store. In addition, you can use English in the description section so that users from other countries can download your application.
10- Application update
With the release of continuous and comprehensive updates, users and app stores are more interested in the application. In fact, by doing so, you will fix the bugs and problems of each application, which is a special privilege for you from the users’ point of view.
11- Comments section and CRO calculation (conversion rate)
Always try to carefully check the statistics of visitors and download your application in different app stores. Then by looking at the comments section, you will be aware of the problems for users. So you will be able to identify the negative points of your application and use them to improve the conversion rate of your application.
12- User ratings
One of the most important factors in optimizing an app in the App Store and improving your ranking is the points you earn from users. First, try to keep these privileges organic and avoid fooling the App Store. To encourage users to rate, ask them to comment on the app when necessary, such as at the end of the purchase phase. Before making this, be sure that the application does not have any bugs.
Conclusion
The main purpose of the apps in the App Stores is to get more downloads. Although there are millions of apps in popular app stores, your app will be more successful using app optimization techniques, or ASO. This article from Ded9 reviews the important points of optimizing the App Store application. We hope that by reading this article and observing the points mentioned in it, you will download and multiply your application’s number of active installations.