How to make your apps stand out on the @AppStore?

Besides coming up with a good idea and building the app, there are many other things you can do to boost your apps' visibility #iosdev

Thread

Apple Human Interface Guidelines

HIG provides in-depth information and resources to design great apps. Not only you learn the fundamental of colors and fonts, you also learn how elements are used in Apple own apps as best practices

https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/

Apple Design Award

My most favorite session every WWDC is watching Apple Design Award. Learn how awesome apps demo design, innovation, and technology on Apple platforms, and why @Apple decide they deserve the price https://developer.apple.com/design/awards/ 

Use new APIs and capabilities

BlackBox by @warpling is an example of how an app utilizes most iPhone capabilities to create stunning puzzles.

Also, checking @JordanMorgan10 checklist A Best in Class App for tips to fully support platform technology

https://www.swiftjectivec.com/a-best-in-class-app/

Marketing Resources and Identity Guidelines

@Apple recently publish a tool for marketing guidelines that generate badges, images and tips on how to promote your apps on different platforms

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/marketing/guidelines/

Promo codes

You can give away up to 100 promo codes per version or IAP. Great for press and friends to get early access to your apps and for give aways

Subscription Offers

This was not possible until late 2020. Now you can provide free or discounted prices for auto-renewable subscriptions. Great to fight churn and win back subscribers

https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=g20wyc9c

App Bundle

App bundles make it easy for customers to buy up to 10 of your apps or games in a single purchase. If you have one great apps, chance are customers want to but other apps in a bundle with discounted price

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/app-bundles/

Universal Purchase

Introduced in March 2020, customers can now buy once and access your apps across macOS, iOS, tvOS and watchOS. Work for IAP too. All you need to do is using same bundle identifier.

https://developer.apple.com/support/universal-purchase/

Freemium with In App Purchase

Would you pay upfront for an app without even trying it? I recently changed my apps from paid to freemium with IAP and can see a surge in downloads. Great for visibility and boost app reviews as more people can use your app

In-App Purchases On AppStore

With iOS, users can browse in-app purchases directly on the App Store and start a purchase even before downloading your app

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/promoting-in-app-purchases/

Product Page on AppStore

Before talking about ASO and how to design d intriguing AppStore screenshots, take a look at this simple guide by @Apple how to make sure your app details look good: Icon, Name, Description, Keywords, ...

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/product-page/

Smart App Banner

Available from iOS 9, you can display a banner that provides a direct link to your app on the App Store or opens the app if it’s already installed. Require adding just few meta tags to your website

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/webkit/promoting_apps_with_smart_app_banners

Promote your App

When you make great apps, chances are @AppStore will find and feature you. If you think your apps deserve notice, you can let the editorial team know about it. Click below link to promote

https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/promote/

Apple Search Ads

Pay for ads. There are 2 modes: Basic and Advanced to manage your own campaigns. New users also get 100 USD credit for initial ads.

You can also do ads on other platforms like @Twitter @ProductHunt @Reddit @Facebook

https://searchads.apple.com/ 

New APIs

It takes few months from when new APIs are introduced in June at WWDC to when a new iOS version is official released around October same year.

If you can take advantage of new iOS features on the iOS release day, you're already ahead.

Widget last year is an example

Pre-Order

What's better to validate your idea than to showcase it before the app is launched?

Your product page will be published on the App Store and customers can order your app before it’s released for download.

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/pre-orders/

AppStore Support

86% of all devices introduced in the last four years use iOS 14.

Your time is limited and you should try to optimize for effort vs gain.

Read about iOS usage, review guideline and technical notes about AppStore submission

https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store/

Accessibility

Reach a wider set of audiences by providing better accessibility support. iOS has built-in accessibility features and many accessibility APIs that you can use.

It may be a bit more work, but you users will treasure you forever

https://developer.apple.com/accessibility/ 

Multi platforms

Hand Off since iOS 8, Mac Catalyst since iOS 13, Universal Clipboard since iOS 10

Above are some features to make a seamless experience across devices. Your app has a better chance to reach more users if it is available on more platforms

Ask for rating

Available since iOS 11, you can use just a single call to SKStoreReviewController to prompt for rating at the appropriate time.

Good reviews boost your app's ranking by quite a lot. Be sure to also respond to user's feedback

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/ratings-and-reviews/

How Apple think

@Apple features apps that help it show off their platform, make Apple look good, and acquire more users https://appfigures.com/resources/guides/how-to-get-featured-app-store

Dark Mode

A lot of people prefer dark mode. Starting from iOS 13 and macOS Mojave is dark system-wide appearance

Dark Mode puts the focus on the content areas of your interface, allowing that content to stand out while the surrounding chrome recedes into the background.

Localization

If you have or want to have users in different countries, you should localize your app to speak their language.

The App Store is available in 175 countries and regions and 40 languages. Let's expand your apps to different markets

https://developer.apple.com/localization/ 

App Icon

The single most important visual design element of your product is your app icon. Make it unique and easy to remember

https://www.shopify.ie/partners/blog/app-icon

App Analytics

AppStore Connect provides a very decent analytics for many performance metrics, such as Product Page Views, App Units, Sales, and Active Devices

Choose your battle. Find out how customers discover and engage with your app.

https://developer.apple.com/app-store-connect/analytics/