An app developer often feels disillusioned when his app receives a lukewarm response, with only a few or almost no downloads. It can be heartbreaking, as a lot of effort goes into creating and testing an app and then releasing it. Moreover, it is also detrimental to the self-confidence of the developer, who was sure that the app he had created was flawless and unparalleled in its niche. But alas!!

With a heavy heart he uses Analytics on his app and monitors downloads it has managed. He keeps repeating the ritual at least 3 times a day, but the results do not seem to improve. Disappointed, he once again tries a month later, only to find out that his app has not even managed 500 downloads. What went wrong? Although there are some downloads, but reviews are also not coming in, as they should.

Filled with anxiety and desperation, he now starts an aggressive marketing of his app by sharing his app related posts on social networks. But the results still show just a marginal improvement.

So what steps should an app developer take in such situations, to ensure maximum downloads of his apps 

#1. Your App description:- If you can’t tell your audience clearly, what your app is all about, then you have already lost half the battle. A detailed description of you app is absolutely essential, for it to gain popularity. Here are certain aspects of your app’s description which should be taken care of.

• Multilingual description:- Localization is the latest mantra for an app’s success. By providing a detailed description of your app in different languages like Japanese, Chinese, Spanish etc. your app will manage to cross geographical boundaries. Even Google Translate can do it for you. It is not as difficult as it sounds. Since the translations are automatic, you might need to cross check the results.The App store on the other hand has authorized vendors who charge and provide translations. It might cost you initially, but it could pay you in the end.
• Description with Keywords:- Specific keywords which best explain your app should be repeated 5 to 6 times in your app description. For instance, if your app is called “Smart video downloader”, then your description should repeat the words “smart”, “Video” and “downloader”. But make sure that repeating does not cause your description to become nonsensical.You should also use the Adwords Keyword Tool to search for synonyms for your keywords and include those as well in your description. That would enable your app to get better search results.
• Description should include permissions:- Before you install an app, it lists out the permission it requires upon installing in your phone. Make sure that you include these permissions in your app description. A user is anyway going to read them. So, why not be honest in the first place itself? Also be sure to list out your entire app features clearly.

#2. Opt for CPI:-

There is a lot of competition out there. Search results on both, Google play and the App store only list out the top 50 apps. So naturally every app developer will try to figure in the top 50 spots. It is better to hire an advertiser for a (CPI) Cost per Install campaign. You will have to pay a percentage for every installation to the advertiser. It might cost you, but you should invest for long term gains and try to make it to the top 50.

The tactic of using CPI works even better for apps which already have high downloads, as CPI more or less ensures that they make it to the top.

#3. Create a video of your app:-

Videos work wonders for apps, but only if professionally shot. If you are seriously considering this option, then you have to hire an advertising agency which specializes in videos or opt for freelance video editor and a voice artist. Remember that you need a background voice for your app video. You could also get in touch with Apptamin, who specialize in app video production. They usually take a week to create a video for an app and their charges start from US$750.

Your video should also have subtitles in common foreign languages for wooing foreign users. It might cost you a bit, but then “No pain, no gain”. Even trailers of an app work well as videos. But again any video you create should be done professionally. It could make or break the reputation of your app. Affordability is crucial for a tight budget, but it is better to spend now, than to regret later.

#4. Discounted downloads:-

Limited period offers and time bound free downloads work well for apps. You have a number of options, if you think along these lines. You could either offer the app free or at half the price for a limited period. This will encourage more downloads, as the user will try to save some money by downloading a free or a discounted app. If merged with a CPI campaign, this limited period offer could reap rich dividends by propelling your app downloads, as you will already have a reasonable user base at hand.

There are also certain apps which can help in promoting your discounted app in a much similar way those daily deal sites work. AppGratis and AppTurbo are two such apps which offer these services. They are basically app discovery platforms which can offer your app for download at discounted prices or free of cost. Considering that they already have a large user base of more than 10 million users, they can never be a bad option.

#5. Get a press release out:-

The power of media should never be underestimated when it comes to promoting something. All you have to do is to write a nice press release and hand it out to the media. PRWeb and MarketWired are two such service providers which handle press release distribution. Xperts Infosoft is a mobile specific agency which can help promote your app. It has a well established contact with many blogs and publications.

An app developer also must establish contact with mid-sized blogs which provide app reviews. They are always keen to write about a new app, as it also provides them with a material to write about (they don’t have much work either). Remember the old principal of “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours”.

Once you get an opening after the first article is published on your app by a mid-sized blog, you should contact smaller blogs with the reference of your published article and urge them to write about your app as well. They should be more than willing to write down something about your app. But ensure that each blog gets a unique story, as Google does not like duplicate content. Excerpts from the press release should be avoided to curb duplicity.

#6. Extensive use of Analytics:-

Having an idea about user traffic and activity on your app always helps to foresee the market sentiment. Analytics is the only way you can find it out. Keeping a high number of active devices always helps in keeping download number high. Choose a good app analytics tool which offers multi-app options and also enables you to compare between them. Knowing about user behaviour right from the time he downloads to the time he deletes the app is important. Trigger points should be setup within the app for running A/B testing.Here are some App Analytics tools which you may consider

• Google’s Universal Analytics:- This is Google Analytics latest update for mobile support. Now the most widely used Analytics tool on the planet shall handle app analytics as well.
• Countly:-It is a real-time analytics tool for mobile apps and provides good support. It also has an IRC channel.
• Flurry Analytics:- It is a five year old Analytics service and boasts of some huge clients like Yahoo, EA and Groupon.
• Localytics:- Localytics is a tool which offers 3 services, out of which 2 are paid and 1 is free.

#7. Create a cover image for Google Play:-It is something which is fairly simple, but mostly forgotten. A cover image of your app displayed on Google Play will enhance the visual appeal of your app and encourage downloads. So go ahead and make one now. Keep in mind that it is unique and does not match with the screenshot of your app. In case you decide to use a screenshot image, at least re-size it.

#8. Screenshots of your app:-Real-time Screenshots are the first things users see before they download an app. If the screenshots are unclear and hazy, the users get dicey and avoid downloading the app. The screenshots should be clear, sharp and professionally done. Take multiple screenshots at different instances of the app to display as many pages of the app as possible.

Conclusion

These 8 given methods should surely help you to maximize your app downloads. A marketing guru once taught me a very important lesson and I quote him “What is seen; is the only thing which sells”. The same principal would apply to your app. So make sure that the world sees your app properly to make it sell properly.

Author Bio. :- Priya is a Technical SEO at Hopinfirst, a leading mobile app development company which provide best ios app development and Android app development Services.