It is hardest the first time
This expose’ details my journey from ideation to production for an App Store Optimisation Project. Enjoy!
Just like internet marketers use Search Engine Optimisation, to get their web pages ranking highly in Google’s search results, app developers must use App Store Optimisation, or ASO, techniques to get their app to the top of app store search results. It can be seen as effectively App Store SEO.
A long time client messaged me recently, a Mobile App project he worked on was getting ready to hit the App stores and he needed some help with ASO - an area i had little/ no experience in 😅😅 . Anyway as “Guy man no de Guy, Guy man”. I quickly did a google search presented my proposal and marketed myself. And sure enough the deal was Green-lit.🕺🕺
Now to Begin, it is all fun and games until that credit alert hits *swallows spit* and you have to deliver. But the Game is the Game
Google is your Best friend
Following the non-linear design thinking process, i had defined my deliverables and proceeded to work
App Titling- The goal of ASO is to enable your app rank higher in search results and this is tied to keywords amongst many others, every industry has some buzzwords that links an idea to a product. This product is in Proptech, i researched buzzwords competitors used frequently and not so frequently, naturally you should not use keywords that are used often as that makes it hard for your app to rank higher against more popular apps, through that i was able to generate relevant buzzwords that should help the app rank higher in search results.
App description/Keyword optimisation- Your app description is like your mobile landing page and just like any landing page you want it to be concise and converting. You want to tell the user what problem you app solves, how you can do this for them while sprinkling your buzzwords a healthy amount of times throughout this description, Avoid keyword stuffing
App store screenshot/ feature imaging/Icon design- This is definitely my favourite part as it employs my art direction and design skillset, Both app stores have specific dimensions for design assets submitted, and after building my mood board and spending some time designing all assets were ready to go
Categorisation- Placing your app in the proper category on both App Stores is not only helpful for users who are browsing apps by category, but it is also best practice for helping your app to rank well. You’ll want to pick the category that best describes your mobile app. It’s also important to remember that putting your app in a category that’s wrong can lead to a rejection stamp especially in the apple store
Other factors that can help your app rank higher are: Number of downloads, Frequency of downloads and positive ratings and reviews
Thanks For Reading!!
