Apple's influence in the mobile arena is undeniable. Dominating the U.S. market, over half of all Americans are iPhone users, and projections show that Apple will have shipped more than 232 million iPhones globally in 2023. This vast user base makes the App Store an essential platform for developers aiming to launch a successful app.
By launching your app on the App Store and tailoring it to each available market, you can tap into approximately 15% of the global smartphone market share.
Being featured in the App Store can significantly enhance an app's visibility and credibility, leading to increased downloads and user engagement. This exposure not only boosts the app's performance but also solidifies its reputation as a high-quality, valuable tool for users.
The endorsement from the App Store itself can be a powerful signal to consumers that the app is reliable and worth their time, which helps in building user trust and loyalty. Furthermore, apps that gain this recognition often see a rise in sales and in-app purchases, directly benefiting the developers' revenue.
In the competitive landscape of app development, a feature on the App Store can be transformative, elevating an app's status, enhancing its marketability, and ultimately leading to greater financial success and user base growth.
Tips to Get Your App Featured on Apple's App Store
Mobile apps that get features on the App Store enjoy increased downloads, engagement, and visibility. Here are several tips to enhance your chances of being featured on the Apple App Store:
☑️1. Develop a High-Quality App☑️2. Inform Apple About Your App☑️3. Align With Apple's Editorial Calendar☑️4. Optimize Your App Store Presence☑️5. Encourage User Ratings and Reviews☑️6. Enhance App Localization☑️7. Minimize App Crashes☑️8. Leverage New Apple Features☑️9. Consider Monetization☑️10. Adhere to App Store Guidelines☑️11. Prioritize Accessibility☑️12. Distinguish Your App
1.Develop a High-Quality App
To make your app stand out among the 1,000 daily submissions to Apple, focus on excelling in one specific area rather than incorporating numerous features. Apple favors apps that specialize, so identify your app's unique advantage over competitors and perfect it. Prioritizing quality over quantity increases your app's visibility and the likelihood of being featured in the competitive App Store marketplace.
2. Inform Apple About Your App
It is crucial to actively communicate with Apple to increase your app's chances of being featured on the App Store. Without reaching out, your app might go unnoticed by Apple's curation team. Begin this process by filling out the App Promotion Form available at appstore.com/promote.
This approach has been beneficial for many developers, myself included, leading to inclusion in Apple's Essential Apps for Developers during major updates. While the quality of your app is critical, making Apple aware of its existence is equally important for consideration in feature listings.
👏Expert Tips: Maintain records of your responses to questions like 'Tell us about your development team' to streamline the submission process for future updates. If your recipient is unfamiliar with your app or Apple's technologies, provide a detailed description of its features. This detailed communication ensures your app is properly assessed and has the best chance of being featured, regardless of its category.
Therefore, proactive engagement with Apple through the App Promotion Form is key to getting your app featured.
3. Align With Apple's Editorial Calendar
Visitors to the App Store may have noticed that Apple aligns its featured lists with significant events such as World Accessibility Day and Black Friday, as well as major sports events like the FIFA World Cup. This presents a unique opportunity for relevant apps to gain visibility.
👏Expert Tips: To capitalize on this, it's important to understand that Apple plans its curation activities six to eight weeks in advance. Therefore, submitting your app early is crucial for timely consideration.
4. Optimize Your App Store Presence
Creating an appealing and well-organized App Store page is vital for increasing your app's visibility. Reflect on whether your app's presentation meets Apple's high editorial standards—would an app with a single screenshot and limited language support be as attractive as one with ten localized screenshots tailored for various countries?
Optimize your app's screenshots and design elements to meet App Store requirements and effectively showcase your app's features. Apple favors apps that utilize the latest App Store features and present aesthetic appeal, such as Promoted In-App Purchases, in-app events, and App Previews. These features not only enhance your app's visibility but also increase its chances of being featured.
👉For a deeper understanding of App Store Optimization (ASO), consider reading our detailed blog on the subject.
ASO involves careful analysis and optimization of your app's presence on the store to improve conversion rates. Regular monitoring and updating of features like App Previews are essential for maintaining an attractive and competitive app.
👉Click here to check out your ASO Analysis Report.
5. Encourage User Ratings and Reviews
The likelihood of your app being featured decreases if it lacks sufficient user ratings. Conversely, if Apple observes a significant volume of high ratings (4 stars or above), your app is more likely to be considered valuable. High user ratings not only indicate customer satisfaction but also enhance your app's appeal to Apple's editorial team, increasing its chances of being featured.
👉Read More:
6 Pro Tips to Manage Your App Store Reviews in 2024
6. Enhance App Localization
Apple places a high value on apps that cater to users in their native languages. If your app is only available in English, its chances of being featured in non-English speaking countries like France or Spain are significantly reduced.
Localization can be implemented in phases. Begin by localizing your App Store pages, which is a substantial step in itself. Then, consider localizing the screenshots displayed on the App Store before fully localizing the app content. Prioritize these steps based on your resources and timeline to ensure they align with your strategic goals.
👉Read More: Effective Strategies for Mobile App Localization
7. Minimize App Crashes
A high crash rate can severely hinder your app's potential to be featured. Crashes lead to user dissatisfaction, negative reviews, and poor user retention. Prioritizing the resolution of top crash issues is crucial to demonstrate your app's reliability to both Apple and your users.
8. Leverage New Apple Features
While it may not be feasible to incorporate every new feature announced at events like WWDC, selectively adopting new features can be beneficial. Especially following major OS updates, integrating new features can position your app in curated lists such as "Apps with Live Activities" or "Explore Great New Widgets."
9. Consider Monetization
Understanding that Apple is accountable to its shareholders is crucial. Apps that generate significant revenue for Apple are likely to receive more attention. It's important to conduct thorough research on app monetization strategies and choose one that aligns with your app's goals and market demands.
An app without a clear monetization plan generates little revenue for Apple. To enhance your chances of being featured in the App Store, ensure that your app has a well-defined and effective monetization strategy. This not only supports Apple's business objectives but also boosts your app's potential for success.
👉Read More:
It's Time to Unlock Your Game's Revenue Potential! Just Simple Ad Monetization Hacks
10. Adhere to App Store Guidelines
For app developers, complying with the App Store Guidelines is paramount. This compliance not only ensures that apps meet Apple's standards and best practices but also maintains a positive relationship with Apple. Adhering to these guidelines enhances the likelihood of apps being accepted and featured in the App Store.
Apps that fail to meet these guidelines risk rejection or removal from the platform, which can significantly diminish their visibility and potential for success.
11. Prioritize Accessibility
To make apps accessible and usable for all users, developers should prioritize accessibility features. By integrating functionalities that accommodate individuals with disabilities, developers can expand their app's audience.
Prioritizing accessibility not only addresses ethical considerations but also enhances the app's reputation and broadens its appeal.
👏Expert Tips: A commitment to inclusivity can significantly increase the chances of an app being approved and featured on platforms like the App Store.
12. Distinguish Your App
Making your app distinctive is crucial, especially in a crowded market. Consider the broader context of your app's purpose and functionality. For instance, if you are developing a Mail app, it needs to significantly stand out from existing options. Reflect on the following questions to enhance your app's distinctiveness:
- How does your Mail app differ from existing competitors?
- What features are missing in other similar apps?
- What specific problem does your app solve?
- Is your app intuitive and easy to navigate?
- How does it improve user experience?
Apps that introduce unique features, create a new genre, or offer a novel approach to a familiar topic are more likely to catch the attention of Apple's editorial team and stand out in the App Store.
By implementing these strategies, you can increase your app's chances of being featured on the Apple App Store, thereby boosting its visibility, downloads, and overall success.
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