App Store Optimization

Today's situation on the market requires a lot of effort to make sure that the app reaches its target audience and starts making money, because if you look at the statistics, the information won't be that good for you. After all, if you already did your homework, you may find out that an average app doesn't make any money at all. This means that you need to do proper research of the available marketing opportunities. We will talk about one of these opportunities, and it's rather subtle in its approach, yet it's possible to pull it off on your own if you know what to do.

What is ASO and how it works?​

App Store Optimization is a set of methods used to make mobile applications and games easier to find on the Internet and thus increase its audience and traffic. It's done by “optimizing” the app page on the app store using SEO-style practices, which can be pulled off on your own if you know what to do and how to do it. We'll offer several options to improve your position on the market (App Store or Google Play).

The methods used are the following:

• Keyword Optimization
• Asset Optimization
• Localization

Keyword Optimization

Keyword Optimization (KWO) is usually the first and main step in app search optimization. It affects other steps in multiple ways, because it's used to improve the flow of traffic on the app page. By researching the relevant keywords and using them on the app page in the app or game description and tags field, you can increase the flow of traffic and your download numbers. There are many platforms for keyword research, and consider using those you can afford. At worst, Google offers to research how popular a specific keyword is and allows you to compare them.

Consider writing an organic description and using the keywords very carefully. Sometimes picking a keyword to use in the app title is also a great idea. Remember to update them if it doesn't affect the flow of traffic, or you want to add fresh keywords to keep the ranks of your app as high as possible.

Once the Keyword Optimization is done, the flow of traffic should increase. However, apart from driving the traffic towards your app page, you also need to do your best to convince the user to install your app or game. You can do it by designing an attractive icon, picking appealing screenshots and making a great video preview to pull it off.

Localization

One of the best ways to expand your target audience is by localizing your app into as many languages as possible. Don't listen to various articles and statistics where famous “researches” state that everyone on this planet speaks English – even if they do, more than half of them aren't comfortable enough to use their skills while playing a game or using an app. If you're designing a medical app or similar, this is especially important, because it will be a very unpleasant experience if the user misinterprets something.

Consider supporting the following languages as soon as possible:

• English
• French
• Italian
• German
• Spanish
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Korean
• Russian

Use freelance translation services to get the best quality for an affordable price. While you can use translation agencies to pull this off, it's recommended to switch to freelance ones and select the translator yourself – these also offer rating systems and you can be use about whom you're picking to do the job. Also, if you're running on a tight budget, then the reason behind this choice should be clear to you.