Who doesn't want it? Its own app featured in Apple's App Store. A prominent place among the largest iOS apps. An app in the featured spot not only ensures more downloads, but also contributes to the collection of useful user information.

With more than 2.2 million apps in this digital store, it is becoming more difficult by the day to stand out as an app developer. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to increase your chances.

QUALITY = KEY

The first step may seem obvious, but it's essential to one day get featured in the App Store. Namely: the quality of your app. Optimal user-friendliness for the user not only ensures that the app is used, Apple likes to see this and is therefore more likely to promote your app. Of course we know Apple, the company that spends an exceptional amount of time on details. So… Are all your App Store previews spot-on? Is the tone of voice and branding exactly the same everywhere? Are there no major bugs in the app? All these 'little' parts contribute.

Technical optimization

In addition to the quality of the content, the technical quality is also essential. We know that Apple prefers apps that use the latest APIs and functionalities. Make sure your app is up-to-date with the latest techniques. Example: With iOS 15 you get the option to In App Events an excellent opportunity to take advantage of this.

"Each week, our editors shine a light on incredible apps and games with in-depth stories, behind-the-scenes interviews, and curated collections to help customers do more of what they love with their Mac."

- Apple Developers website (2021)

Design simplistic

Well…. You may feel this one coming. If Apple does one thing incredibly well, it's designing simplistic software. If we look at the past few years, we see that apps with the same design style are highlighted more often. The Human Interface Guidelines from Apple give you as a designer / app developer the right tools to get started with this.

BE KIND TO YOUR USERS

Now that we know exactly what Apple pays attention to when designing and developing the app, there are also a number of steps you can take when the app is already online. Putting an app in the App Store is of course not a one-time activity. Maintaining the app itself, optimizing the content and promoting the USPs remain activities that keep you busy all the time. .

Reviews

Where reviews used to be really just reviews, in recent years it has grown into a place where users communicate with the developers. Questions, tips and requests for new functionalities all appear here. Apple therefore recommends responding to every review. This shows current users that you are improving the app and is of course a good marketing channel.

Make sure your rating is high remains

The rating of your app depends on many factors. Are there many bugs in it? Are questions answered? Apple thinks the rating is very important, so always make sure it is as high as possible. Tip: ask for reviews through a notification in the app, this always produces some (hopefully positive) reviews!

Translate your app

The Apple App Store is available in no less than 175 countries and in 40 languages. That offers many possibilities if you translate an app. Apple rewards apps that are available in different languages, partly because this offers a better user experience. Apple calls this localization, read more about it on the website Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),.

Achieving downloads through smart app marketing

app-live? Its success requires more than average marketing. Coffee Digital consists of app marketing experts with over 10k hours of App Store Optimization experience. We make sure that your app stands out from the crowd.

App Marketing - Increase visibility and users.
Online Marketing - Reach and engage potential users.
App Store Advertising - Your app, right time & place.
App Store Optimization - Increase organic findability.

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JUST ASK VERY NICELY

Serious? Can you just ask Apple to highlight your app? yup…. It is true that Apple has a strict selection procedure. So all the steps that you have read above are essential to be featured. So did you follow the previous steps? Have you developed an app that perfectly meets a user's need and does everything look spick and span? Then you can go through this form post the request. Be sure to show the items below.

USPs - Show which unique functionalities your app contains. This is the time.
Useful links - Do you have the app's website or landing page? Forward this
Marketing ideas - Show how to use the app promote.
Behind the app - Tell your story. Who are the people behind the app?

AND NOW WAIT....

So… You submitted the request. Now with your legs up? No! Use this time to optimize even more. ASO is an important aspect to be found better in the App Store and/or Play Store. Compare it with results in the Google search engine. The first few results will also get the most traffic, that's how it works in the App Stores.

Search for keywords

In the Apple App Store you want to be found on the right page Keyword. Take the Range app, for example. This app shows where police checkpoints are in traffic. If you search for 'checks' in the App Store, the Range app will be displayed first. This can be very useful for the visibility of your app. See which keywords have a high search volume and respond to this with your title, subtitle and description.

Optimize your product page

Okay, this is a to-do for the future, but Apple announced a few nice features during WWDC21. With the arrival of iOS 15 you can optimize even more in the App Store. A/B testing, custom product pages and you will soon see more useful data in App Store Analytics. We already wrote one here in depth blog post about or watch the WWDC21 video below.

You've got mail...

Do you have an email from Apple? Nice, then your app is featured! Expect more downloads, but also more support emails, questions and reviews. Not featured? That can happen. All the above steps are always an added value for your findability. Keep improving your app and fill out the form again. Apple will continue to review all requests.

Do you need help with the marketing of your app? Our marketers are happy to help you. Take without obligation contact without obligation.