Have you tried these tactics to increase your app downloads?

When you make the decision to invest in an app for your small business, you’ll naturally want to see a return on your investment as soon as possible. However, simply creating a first-class app isn't enough to get those downloads pouring in – you've still got to have a solid app marketing strategy to create a buzz around your digital tool and ensure your app stands out above your local, national and even international competition.

If you want to see a boost in your app downloads sooner rather than later, here are a few app marketing tactics that you can get started with straight away.

1. App store optimisation

There are literally millions of apps available to download and competing for top billing on the App store, but that doesn’t mean yours can’t achieve high visibility. App Store optimisation (ASO) is the process of refining your listing to place higher. To begin this process, you need to give your app a suitable title so it can be easily found when a search is conducted.

For example, if you’ve created a tracker for public buses, make sure that your title includes phrases such as ‘bus time checker’ or ‘bus arrival checker’ as this will help your app rank higher in its category and be easily found.

Next, ensure your description is also clear, contains keywords and is enticing. Encourage those who download your app to leave reviews and star ratings too. You can find our full guide to ASO here.

2. Social media marketing

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are a great hunting ground for potential customers. Targeted paid social media adverts allow you to place your app in front of exactly the right demographic. Facebook marketing is pretty straightforward and has proven itself to be an excellent channel for those open to the idea of new apps to download, so why not set up a trial advert for a few days and see how it goes?

3. Reviews matter

When it comes to app rankings and visibility, reviews matter – especially when your download numbers are still in their infancy.

Driving genuine reviews without triggering Google or Apple spam filters can be a little tricky but it is possible. Reach out to those who’ve already downloaded your app (perhaps via push notifications) and encourage users to leave a review. Keep in mind you shouldn’t offer incentives or payment for reviews or you could find yourself on the wrong side of App Store regulations.

4. Encourage social sharing

If your app isn’t already making waves on social media, encouraging social sharing can help you to tap into a wider network. You could encourage sharing via push notifications on your app, but you can also do this with social media posts talking about your app (sharing reviews, features and updates for example) published to your existing social networks. Within your caption, ask your audience to like, comment and share.