Mobile SEO or to be more specific, I should say app store optimization has grown in importance exponentially with the passage of time. This has mainly happened with the increasing popularity of apps in comparison to that of the mobile web among mobile users.

Thus, it has become more important than ever to optimize your business apps on the mobile stores for easier visualization and increased engagements. Here are a few app store optimizations that might benefit you in general.

1. The design of the app icon

The icon of your app is basically the first impression that you can make on your target audience. When people are browsing the app store, the first thing that they’re going to see about your app is the app icon. So you can very well see how important it is to create a lasting impression on your audience.

Hence, it’s necessary for your business to create a unique and well-designed app to catch users’ attention at first glance.

Your icon’s design should complement the name of the app. You can’t design the icon of your app in the form of a blood-thirsty zombie when it’s named something like “Flash shipping”; can you? That would make it irrelevant to the human eye.

The icon of your app should reflect the content of your app and the name of your app at the same time. So you see it’s definitely not as easy as you had probably thought it was at the start. But with a little bit of imagination and patience, I’m sure you’ll be able to get the design right in no time.

2. The name of the app

The name of the app is as important as your app icon in creating an impression on your audience. The first and the foremost thing that you’ll have to do is to choose a name that’s eye catching and easily comprehensible at the same time.

One of the best ways to check whether the name’s relevant enough is to ask people (who have no idea about your app) what they think about their name. Can they guess the content of the app from the name itself? If you get satisfactory answers, the name stays. Otherwise, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board.

It’s also important for you to use the right length of the app. For iOS apps, the best practice is to limit the app name to 50 characters. For Google Play, it’s around 30 characters.

3. The description of the app

Your app description is a bit like a piece of content. The same strategies that you implement for writing a SEO-friendly content need to be implemented here in the best possible way.

The description should be clear, to the point and easy to understand. Do not run rings round with words. Your audience wouldn’t be intrigued with it the least to be honest. The quality of your content counts, not the amount of words.

Always remember to divide your description into paragraphs for easier visibility. A few catchy line thrown here and there can make it worthwhile as well. A bulleted paragraph highlighting the key features of your app is also an absolute must. Remember to include that as well.

4. Keywords

Keywords are considered one of the best weapons in your app store optimizing arsenal. Your choice of keywords in your description can really create a difference.

But how can you tell what’s relevant and what’s not? A strong keyword worthy of giving high results should always be relevant to your app. The keyword should also have a low competition level and a high search volume.

Several tools are available that can help you with that. I will provide you with one example i.e. SearchMan. For the rest, Google can be your best friend.

5. Screenshots of the app

Visual information is the most gratifying content of all. Your app’s icon was just a teaser. Your screenshots are going to be that ace for you. Your users will probably spend their maximum time here. So it’s absolutely vital for you to think your screenshots through before placing them up on the web.

Make sure you choose the most compelling and descriptive screenshot as possible. Don’t hesitate to add a tag line at the top of each. It’s going to add more value for sure.

App store optimization requires constant monitoring and maintenance. This isn’t a short term process as if you will be getting results in a week. It’s a long term process that requires a bit of time and patience. But you can be sure of one thing that it’s going to benefit you immensely in the long run.

P.S. I might even come back with a part 2 of this article if possible. Keep checking this space for more.