No one is downloading your app??!!
If that’s the case, you’ve run into the same problem many developers encounter after they publish their apps. But don’t feel down – if you have an app you want the whole world to use, you can make it happen. Once you get downloads you’ll be able to make some real money.
All it takes is a little effort and the right know-how to bring your app to the attention of the masses. So, to learn the best ways to boost your mobile app downloads.
1. Prioritize app store optimization
App Store Optimization (ASO) is a simple but efficient way to influence app downloads. Keep in mind that it requires a constant effort to be successful. While app store rankings depend on metadata—like keywords, description, ratings, and reviews—there’s more to ASO than that. You also need to consider how keywords rank in each app category. For instance, casual games are most competitive for keywords, while music and trivia games are much easier to rank for. It will be easier to improve your ASO by checking with a mobile app consultant.
2. User Review
Getting positive feedback is another way to increase downloads. The algorithm won’t just increase your app rankings, but users will be more eager to install the app if it has credibility. Mobile app users count on other app users’ opinions before installing an app. If you have lousy feedback or fewer reviews and ratings, your conversion rate is sure to be low. Moreover, the Play Store and App Store take ratings and reviews into account to rank apps. In the case of several negative ratings, an app can be penalized in terms of rankings. On the other hand, if the app displays a lot of positive feedback, it can be on the top of the search results.
3. Ensure your app is crash-free
If your users find any problems with your app, they’ll share their grievances online so you can easily learn if your app is faulty. After you respond to their complaints, your developers should fix the problem immediately so your app never crashes again. However, it’s more effective to take a proactive approach—your app should undergo vigorous testing so that your app developers can identify all potential bugs and resolve them before you make your app available to the public.
Metrics to track:
Crash rate
Retention rate
4. Invest in content
Creating compelling and relevant content to promote your app can help you reach more potential users. It may be in the form of online articles, sponsored content, videos, or infographics, although it depends on your audience’s consumption habits. If you are an app developer company, you can show case pictures and videos of the rich content in your app.
5. Put a link to your app in your email signature
How many emails do you send a day? Simply add a link to your app in your email signature. Most people already have an email signature that contains their full name, address, phone number, and company website. But, you can add just about anything you want to your email signature – including the logo and link to your app. You can even add a custom link to this to track the increase in your app downloads.
6. Engage on social media
Content powers social media, and maintaining a strong online presence can be an effective way to expand your reach and introduce your app to new customers. However, your target audience will spend time on one platform over another, so paying attention to your user demographics is crucial. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do more than share sale pitches on social media, in order to draw interest. Responding to your followers and asking them to share their thoughts demonstrates that you care about your audience’s opinions.
7. Upload your app to alternative app stores
The App Store and Google Play are by far the most popular places to find and download apps, but they aren’t the only ones in the business. There are alternative app stores that you can upload your app to, and it might provide the boost in users that you need. Research from One Platform Foundation says if an app is submitted on other “less popular” stores it will increase the expected downloads 200% more compared to Google Play. Some of the alternative stores, like AppChina, for example, get great traffic in foreign markets, so you have some real potential to increase your app’s reach by offering it in alternative locations.
8. Write a guest post
Expose your app to a new audience by guest writing content for a tech blog, or a blog with an audience that’s likely to boost your app conversion rate. For instance, if your app provides easy meal plans for busy moms, you should research blogs that cater to that audience. If you have identified blogs that you’d like to guest write for, reach out to the site’s owner and discuss the opportunity. You can also review lists of sites that accept guest blogs. (We have lists below for you to check out).Keep in mind that a guest blog isn’t an advertisement; it’s meant to offer advice to the blog’s audience. At a minimum, most blog owners allow guests to include their company link, or a link to their app, in their bio. In some cases, you can even include a link or two in the article to sites of your choice. Sites that regularly accept guest posts typically have a set of guidelines that spell out what you can and can’t do. In addition, there will likely be a word-count requirement.
9. Measure, analyze, optimize
Of course, it’s important to constantly analyze how users are interacting with your app in order to ensure that they remain engaged. Are they successfully using the app the way it was meant to be used? Are there any roadblocks that are preventing you from monetizing your app?
You can use these insights to optimize your future campaigns. Perhaps you’ve noticed that many users from a certain source stop interacting with your app after a day or two. That may be because they weren’t a qualified audience, so you can choose to re-direct your campaign efforts to other acquisition sources.
10. Word of mouth can still be relevant
Nothing converts better than a friend.
Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful marketing methods for any conversion. When a friend introduces you to an app they use, any doubt you may have had is instantly eliminated. The trust you have in your friend is transferred to the app. You won’t rely on reviews anymore and you probably won’t bother reading any descriptions. Your friend will tell you all you need to know. This is why multiplayer games get so many downloads. People need friends to play with, so they convince their peers to download the game. It’s really important to make your users happy so that they tell other people about your app. Also, incentivize them. If they receive a gift or bonus, they will be more likely to make sure that another person installs your app.