Mobile apps have become a dominant aspect of our daily routine, and as the app market keeps expanding, so does the competition. App developers face the challenge of distinguishing their apps from the sea of others available and attracting downloads. It is worth noting that the Google Play Store houses more than 2.87 million apps, while the Apple Store has approximately 1.96 million apps. This article will discuss the 10 simple strategies you can use to increase your app download.
Here are 10 simple strategies that can help you increase your app downloads:
Create an Attractive App Icon
The design of your app icon plays a critical role in determining your success since it’s the first thing users see in the app store. Your app should stand out and be easily recognizable amidst other apps as users scroll through the store. Choosing a design that represents your app is dominant and gives users an idea of what to expect after installing it. Keep your app icon straightforward without being too flashy or cluttered. That ensures that users can easily understand and identify your app.
Leverage Social Media
Match your social media voice with your app’s personality to build your app’s public image and increase its online presence. Consistency is critical, so use the same tone across all social media platforms. Engage with your fans and create conversations instead of just promoting your app. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Foursquare are the best platforms for app promotion. However, be cautious of each platform’s terms of service for contests, giveaways, and advertising. You can increase word-of-mouth promotion and downloads by building a solid relationship with your users.
Encourage User Reviews
Positive user reviews can significantly increase the downloads of your app and improve its visibility in the app store. Genuine reviews are further valuable than fake ones, as they provide valuable feedback and support you understand your app’s strengths and weaknesses. You can contact influential people, such as YouTubers and tech critics, to request their reviews. Incentives such as coupon codes or redeemable points can encourage users to leave positive reviews. Avoid purchasing fake reviews, as this can lead to app store suspension. Engaging with the media and smaller outlets can generate more reviews and positive coverage.
Write a Clear App Description
Your app’s description determines whether a potential user will download it. It may not help with app discoverability like the title, but it plays a significant role when a user lands on the app page. To persuade users to download your app, utilize the app description to its fullest potential. Communicate the app’s purpose and significant benefits, demonstrating how it can enhance a user’s life. Finally, include a concise call to action. If you need more confidence in writing an adequate app description, consider hiring a copywriter.
App Store Optimization
App Store Optimization (ASO) refers to optimizing your app to improve its ranking within an app store. This process is similar to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in that it aims to enhance the visibility of your app. Still, instead of search engines, it focuses solely on app stores. When your app has a higher ranking within an app store, it is more likely to appear in search results, which can ultimately increase the number of downloads it receives. According to Forrester, search accounts for 63% and 58% of all app discoveries for iOS and Android apps, respectively, making it the primary way most people discover new apps in app stores.
Use Engaging Photos and Videos
One key to a great app store page is a compelling collection of photos, screenshots, and videos. These should showcase your app’s most essential and popular features to encourage downloads. When using images, it’s important to show users what the app looks like and to highlight different aspects of the app in action. Captions and arrows can also help guide users through your app’s functionality. Emphasizing your app’s design and unique features can also help set it apart from competitors. Consider creating a video for your app by using professional tools or finding mobile-specific editors. And finally, translating your app into multiple languages can help reach a wider audience and boost download rates.
Localize in Multiple Language
If you’ve designed your app to reach a worldwide audience, why limit it to only one language? There’s no reason your app must be in English. Offering your app in multiple languages can significantly increase its download rate. Research has shown that localizing an app’s keywords can result in a sevenfold increase in downloads. In many non-English speaking countries, people prefer to use apps in their native language, translating your app into popular international languages like French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, and more. You can significantly increase downloads for your app’s Android and iOS versions.
Build an Online Presence
Don’t limit yourself to developing an app and relying on social media. Take it a step further by creating a website and blog. A website can serve as a central hub for your business, providing users with information about updates, app optimization, and other educational content related to your app. Thanks to content management systems like WordPress, you can easily create a website without breaking the bank or being a web development expert. You can even add a form to collect visitor data for email marketing, newsletters, and more. Plus, a blog section can allow you to share content related to your app, such as helpful travel hacks for a travel app.
Use Popups
Popups can be powerful tools for promoting your apps to website visitors, increasing your download rate by up to 40%. However, poorly timed or designed popups can be annoying. With Adoric, you can create personalized popups to promote your app effectively and avoid irritating your users. A case study of Israel Post shows how using Adoric’s popups resulted in a 580% increase in Android app downloads and a 980% increase in iOS app downloads. Adoric’s popups provide users with a simple and intuitive way to download your app directly from your website or app.
Focus on the User
Knowing how, when, where, and by whom your app is being used is just as important as the number of downloads. Analytics can help you understand your users’ preferences and behaviors, which is crucial for improving and continuously attracting downloads. By analyzing data from download to deletion (if it occurs) and conducting A/B testing, you can determine what works best for your users. Google’s Universal Analytics is one of the most widely used analytics tools. Firebase Analytics, a free service by Google, can help you measure the success of your app.
Last Words
Boosting app downloads can be challenging, but following these app promotion tips and best practices can significantly improve your app’s rankings and downloads. Remember to keep your target audience in mind and stay updated on industry trends. The App Store of iTunes and Google Play may occasionally change the features they consider most important for apps. Implementing these strategies and continuously updating your app can drive more sales and maintain a high ranking in app stores. Which of these methods are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below.