Introduction to ASO: Test Your App and Make It More Visible

In this post, we’ll briefly guide you on how ASO works, let you in on the ultimate advantages of ASO, the main distinctions between mobile and web marketing, the basics of Apple’s vs. Google’s mobile storefront comparison, and the fundamentals of how app marketing works. We’ll share some of the best app store optimization hacks and instruments, as well as provide a complete, straightforward ASO checklist for you to put to practice the knowledge you’ll acquire from this article — and from our other guides. We’ll start with the meaning behind the acronym.

Being productive or finding cheap thrills is a lot easier now that mobile apps have entered our lives. There’s an app for everything these days, and it’s all accessible on the go, right from the palm of your hand. Your app is probably equally easy to pinpoint, but with such a multitude of competitor products, is discovering it truly a cakewalk for your target clients? That’s where ASO (App Store Optimization) kicks in.

App Store Optimization is the process of maximizing your mobile product visibility within the major app distribution platforms, as well as enhancing its conversion parameters. Along with capturing higher positions in the app store search results, ASO also aims at increasing your app’s click-through rate (CTR). It suggests convincing people to tap on your listing when they find it within their preferred mobile app storefront.

Furthermore, a successful ASO strategy is aimed at stimulating users to install your application (read as making a purchase). That particular stage of the whole process is known as app conversion rate. Whether you have already jumped on the app promotion bandwagon or are just planning a mobile app, you’ll find today's guide and the list of must-dos quite handy.

Although there are certain common points, they are two standalone notions, of course. Let’s start with the vital similarities within the ASO SEO duet. Both rely on optimization at their core: the former is for web, while the latter is for mobile applications. Both SEO and ASO prioritize keyword exploration and backlink building. The ultimate mission of ASO techniques, as well as SEO strategies, is to improve the visibility/CTR/CRO of a digital product.

In a way, ASO is mobile app SEO. The major distinction between the two ecosystems lies in the ranking parameters and what we’re promoting for. Needless to say that every App Store Optimization tool will differ from that of SEO. As for the list of ranking criteria in terms of mobile marketing, it is shorter as compared to that of the web. We’ll delve into this topic deeper later in this post.

Your future clients can find your application in one of the major app stores. Considering the overwhelming competition, simply getting your product on the distribution platform is not enough. You must work on boosting your app store visibility, follow a treasure trove of frequently changing trends, and generally develop a successful optimization strategy while adjusting it to those trends on a regular basis. In other words, ASO marketing is what you want to master if getting your app in front of your target consumers is your utmost priority.

Here’s how exactly ASO aids you in growing your app users organically and continuously:

Now that your app is in the final dev stages and you know a thing or two about how to promote it, it’s time to choose where you want it published. You will most likely opt for Apple’s App Store or Android’s Google Play. If your app caters to both operating system aficionados, you can easily aim at getting it published on both stores. Before we switch to the general stuff, let’s discuss the comparison specificities.

One major distinction between the two app distribution platforms lies in the publishing factor. Both stores require an app to go through a specific review procedure for the purpose of enhancing the quality of their catalogs.

Moving further, keyword polishing is vital for both mobile storefronts. But the ways in which the two platforms evaluate your keywords bear very few similarities. Your ASO for iOS, for instance, must not involve repeating key words throughout your listing. Meanwhile, this technique works wonders as a Google Play optimization tool.

Anyone with a passionate interest in all things ASO iOS related knows how essential your Apple store ranking is. With nearly 65% of people finding apps via rummaging through Apple’s mobile storefront, knowing what exactly influences your ranking is paramount. So, how are apps ranked in the App Store?

Here are five major Store ranking:

Wondering how Google Play’s algorithms work? There are some important parameters that have the greatest influence on your Google storefront ranking. Here’s a brief overview of the major Google Play ranking factors:

The checklist below is all about the steps you need to take when sorting out your mobile marketing. Without further ado, let’s get started with the must-do’s required for a solid ASO strategy. The most important thing is knowing your needs. This, in its turn, will show you where to go next — and revolves around the following vital points:

These six points will lead your optimization efforts along a triumphant path. If you’ve got the required ticks, then you’re more than ready to get your product into the positions it deserves. Always remember that with Asolytics, you will learn all there is to know about each of the aforementioned ranking factors, as well as get to make use of the top-level tools to refine your ASO strategy.

With our comprehensive guides, you become fully equipped with all the right tools for getting out there and pushing your app promotion efforts to the next level. Below, we’ll touch upon the important steps to follow on your way to boosting your mobile expansion.

App Store Optimization is an ongoing process. Thus, if you’re aiming for some truly brilliant results, be prepared to invest weeks of your time in the operation, along with months of improvement once you overcome the first (and the hardest) milestones of implementing your app promotion plan.

In combination with other marketing channels, ASO is sure to give a significant boost to your product’s findability and growth. Typically, the first results are seen after a month of work, while the number of installs and traffic increase are noticed within up to 3 months. Sounds boring? Maybe. But quick wins no longer equal long-term gains. Yes, ASO is a day to day job that takes time. But the hard work does pay off tremendously.

The silver lining is also that although mobile promotion comes with a certain learning curve, mastering the basics will not be the most challenging task of your life. With some knowledge, in-depth analysis, and determination, you can achieve impressive results, boost your installs on Google Play, increase downloads on the App Store, as well as gain loyal customers and maximize your revenue.

Last but not least, even if you’re pleased with the results of your ASO campaign, maintaining those achievements is what you should keep laser-like focus on. Therefore, keep working on it all the time. Why? Because the algorithms are constantly shifting, your competitors get fiercely stronger on a daily basis, and your users tomorrow may not be the same as yesterday.

Your product is in the constant process of changing, too, by the way. Growth in this aspect leads to ranking better for high-competition search phrases. And that means your app keyword research is something that will hardly ever end throughout your app promotion journey.

To cut a long story short, make sure that your ASO plan resonates with the ever-changing marketing scene and keeps up with the pace of this constant evolution. That is if you want to keep the precious organic traffic you’ve worked so hard to bring in. We hope our app downloads stats guide helps you reach ASOlute success on your mobile marketing path. You’re very welcome to bookmark our website for more updates.