Here’s How To Get Your App Featured On App Store!

The App Store displays a collection of extraordinary applications and games that positively influence users all around the world. Apart from appreciating the developers’ community for great work, a featured application also gives a push to businesses.

App Store shares multiple lists to showcase great work, from great stories and significant updates to in-app events and new applications. 

And, today with the help of this blog, we will be learning more about App Store featuring processes and the related factors to guide you through the selection process. 

So, without any further ado, let’s get started!   

A Quick Overview!

With a global team focused on helping users engage and discover relevant applications, App Store has set standards for mobile apps to get featured on their platform. In addition, the company runs campaigns and programs to help, inspire and inform its user base. Simultaneously the company also allows applications to drive downloads. 

In order to get an app in front of the audience, the App Store’s worldwide team of editors creates different sections on the platform to feature the handpicked ones. Therefore, they play a massive role in bringing your app closer to the audience at the right time and place. 

Here’s what App Store highlights in its featured lists- 

• Significant updates
• Special in-app events 
• Exclusives
• Cultural moments 
• Seasonal moments
• Unique stories 

The unique story is a fairly exciting highlight as here the platform features the behind-the-scenes at how a development team launched the app that transformed the industry, benefited the community, or solved a problem.

Factors App Store Consider To Feature Your App

App Store editors search for top-quality apps and games across different categories and business models. There is no checklist of set requirements or an option for paid placement. The selection entirely depends on the app’s quality, its impact on the community, and a few more factors you will discover here in this blog.   

So keep reading to explore the checklist of creating an exception app that can get featured. 

• UI Design

High quality, appeal, and overall quality are prerequisites for a beautiful UI design. Make sure to add intuitive gestures, impactful visuals, and seamless controls to stand out. 

• User Experience

App Store editors are naturally inclined towards user experience that promotes ease of access. Therefore, it is important that you make your design efficient, cohesive, and valuable.  

• Innovation

Create an application that delivers a solution for the communities across the world. Make the most of the progressive technologies like Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchain, etc, to provide optimal user experience through your application. 

• Uniqueness

Your digital solution needs to stand out in the crowd. If you can develop a new genre or simply integrate a brand new approach to a familiar app domain.

• Accessibility

Editors are always looking for finely added features that deliver an exceptional experience for a variety of user bases. 

• Localisation

Since we live in a world that celebrates different cultures, the digital world must reflect the same. Therefore, App Store editors make sure to shortlist the apps that include culturally appropriate content, deliver high-quality & relevant localisation, and support multiple languages. 

And here are a few additional considerations for gaming applications:

• Controls
• Overall value
• Sound effects and music
• Art and animation
• Story and characters (if applicable)
• Replayability (if applicable)
• Technical performance
• Gameplay design

Let’s Understand The Mindset Of App Store Editors In Detail!

We already know that the goal of Apple to feature apps and games is to help the user base find their favourite products. 

But is that all?

The answer, surprisingly, is a big NO!

Though the Cupertino-based giant states that they want to deliver exceptional app options to its user base, there is more to building featured lists. 

Apple features applications as it will benefit its platform. For example, highlighting sensational work would help them show off their platform, acquire more users, and make them look good in the market. The giant understands that the featured apps benefit their platform. Therefore they themselves suggest developers community ways to get hold of their attention. 

Keeping this in mind, here are some measures you can take while developing an iOS app to boost the chances of getting your app featured. 

Focus On The Little Things

Attention to detail is essential as Apple takes great pride in making little things great. From the seamlessness of the animation, to the content that displays on the demo screens; make sure everything is well thought out. Directing such focus on little things is not like shooting fish in the barrel, but it surely is rewarded by Apple. 

It would help if you scrutinise every interaction your application offers to the user. The best way to do the same is by observing the interactions independently.      

Stand Out From The Crowd

Apple celebrates uniqueness. The company highlights applications that have something new to offer to the user base. If you want to grab the attention of App Store editors, then push yourself to be different. You will never be able to achieve uniqueness if you focus your iOS app development process on your competitors’ applications. Instead, try to explore other apps on the platform to develop a fresh perspective.   

Make sure to go through the review and feedback section, as it is a treasure trove of information and ideas. In addition to that, you also need to go through the review section of your competitors. You will be able to find a lot of improvement suggestions which you too can implement.  

Utilise Apple’s Latest Features & APIs

Earlier in this blog, I mentioned that Apple features apps to show off its platform. What better way to get their attention than using Apple’s latest OS features and APIs? To get on the company’s radar, make sure to keep up with the latest developments. Don’t forget to check out the newest updates at WWDC 2022 for the same. 

If a new feature, functionality, or APIs make sense during your app development process, do not hesitate to integrate it, as it will surely take you a step closer to your goal of getting featured. 

Simplicity Will Go A Long Way

The giant is head over heels for simplicity. So the applications they feature need to resonate with their ideology promoting simple design. 

If your development process revolves around simplicity, then you are on the right track. But if not, then the best possible way to boost your chances of getting featured is to align your approach with Apple’s.  

If you want a little extra help, you can refer to the detailed guides provided by Apple to create great UIs- human interface guidelines. 

Build An Intuitive User Experience

Easy to use is one of the most prominent features that iOS is known for. The giant promotes experiences that are not only flawless but also enable accessibility. With this in mind, make sure to create applications that are easy to use; basically, keep things simple. Elaborate on the app’s functioning when necessary, maintaining users as your priority. 

Create For App Apple Devices

Apple presents us with multiple devices. Hence it is crucial that you create applications for multiple Apple devices. If you can, try to run your app across Apple devices, keeping iPad as a top priority, followed by Apple TV and Apple Watch.   

Care About Your Audience? Prove It!

Building a good iOS app is not a one-time process. Instead, it is a business that requires gradual optimization and updates. Apple understands that companies make necessary changes in their product to keep their users happy and features them for the job well done. 

But what are the different ways businesses can show care to their users?

Let’s find out!

Do Not Ignore The Reviews!

The review section has now become a support channel for businesses to evolve. From advance suggestions to bug reports, here you will find every possible improvement required in your application. 

For users, review sections are the best way to communicate to the development team. Therefore, as a brand you must reply and assure the users that their queries are being heard and worked upon. 

Release Regular Updates

Experts at Techugo, a top mobile app development company state that no code is ever bug free. You may utilise these opportunities to release frequent and minor updates, which helps to boost your app’s performance. You do not need to present massive new updates every time. Implementing minor updates will help you in the long run. Doing so will help you build authority in front of the company and assure the editors that you can handle new users easily, bringing you closer to your goal of being featured.  

Keep Your Ratings High!

The applications that perform flawlessly always have good ratings. The democratic nature of Apple influences them to feature applications that offer a good experience & have high ratings. If the experience that you’re delivering is on-point, then you need to work on improving your ratings with the help of Apple’s native prompt. The setup is straightforward and helps you to boost ratings overnight.    

Localise The App!

Through your application, you need to think about localising your digital platform if you are offering your services in two or more countries. This means your app needs to speak the language of the country it runs in. 

Yes, English is one of the most common languages to communicate in, but it is not spoken all around the world. Apple, therefore, features apps that provide users with language options.  

App Localisaton is a time-consuming process that demands a lot of effort. You can’t take it lightly, as it can also take down updates. The best way to do it is by selecting your top 3 to 5 countries. Also, you need to localise your App Store page. Not only will it increase your chances of getting featured, but it will also trigger your application downloads and boost your retention rate. 

Ask Apple To Feature Your App

Yes! There is a way where you can ask Apple to feature your application. Apple provides a simple form you can submit, asking them to review your application. 

After you have implemented the tips shared above and built a product-market fit, you should ask the App Store editors for a review. But you have to really think the process through, and only when you are sure, ask Apple for a review. I have shared the link to the form below-

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

Also, check out the parts of the form you need to be thoughtful about below-

Version Highlights 

Here you need to highlight the parts that make your app different and unique. You do not need to show off your writing skills here. Just keep it simple and to the point. This will make it easy for the person reviewing your application. The goal is to make the reviewer understand your app quickly and easily.   

Linking

If you are linking your app to an external source like a website, you need to follow the same development techniques for it. An exceptional app with an impressive website will help you to bag the title of being featured. If you think updating your website to that level will take you additional efforts and time, then it is better to not share it in the first place. 

Marketing Plans

If you have a planned campaign, make sure you share that with Apple. It could be for App Store or any paid ads on Google; sharing it with Apple will help the editors understand the level of investment you have towards the application. It is crucial as promoting your app on the store will also help Apple drive more traffic on their platform.  

Share Your Story

Apple leaves no stone unturned when it comes to appreciating people. That is the reason why you need to share behind the scenes with the giant. Make sure you give it a good thought and share it from your heart. Answer questions like-

• What led you to the development?
• What inspired you?
• Were there any struggles involved? 

Wrapping It Up!

Do not get lazy with the optimization once you have submitted your application! It is essential to improve in order to drive more traffic. For this, App Store Optimization is your best bet. From optimising keywords to updating screenshots and adding app preview videos, there are a lot of things that you can optimise. 

Lastly, I would like to add that paying attention to detail while developing your application would take a long way. Show your users that you care about them and optimise your platform to improve their experience. 

Make sure you follow the tips I have shared in this guide. We have also shared a detailed guide to getting your app featured on Google Play Store. So do check it out as well!

And until then, stay tuned to this space for more information!