App ratings are essential because they affect your App Store Optimization (ASO) score. ASO dictates whether users can see your app right away or whether they have to scroll down for hours before coming across it. Here are 3 steps to pile on the stars and have your app float to the top:
1. Do the basics.
As apps evolve, user expectations evolve along with it. Meeting these expectations is the bare minimum to being able to have a high app rating. Make sure your app offers the ultimate user interface and the finest user experience. Your app should also bring something unique to the market so users will select it according to its specific niche. With over 2.2 Million apps on the market, the competition is steep.
2. Make it flawless.
The majority of bad reviews don’t come from the overall likability of an app but from users’ emotional retaliations.
Here’s the typical story:
People see that you have a cool app. They download it. They enjoy your app for weeks. Then, suddenly, there’s a functional glitch that won’t let them do something they expected and… BAM. In their frustration, they give you 1 star and write you an awful review. For this reason, it is essential to test your product thoroughly before putting your app in the hands of demanding users.
3. Ask for the stars.
Once, you have a perfectly functional app, you’re in the right spot to get stars, but it’s still not in the bag.
Many times, users enjoy your app, but they’re lazy. They are not going to go out of their way to go rate your app. That’s why you have to bring the opportunity to them... by asking.
Here’s how:
The right way:
The right way to ask is by sending your users a notification to rate your app when they would be feeling good, after completing a level or making a purchase, for example. This is when users will be most likely to rate you highly.
The wrong way:
The wrong way to ask is by sending your users a notification when they are in the middle of completing a level or searching for a product. Asking users to rate your app while they are “busy” will annoy them, and they will be less likely to give you a review.
The bad way:
The bad way to ask is by send notifications to all of your users. In this situation, you won’t know if you are inviting someone to rate your app who doesn’t like it.
The good way:
The good way to ask is by sending a notification after doing a “user screening.” Here’s how:
You first send a general notification asking the user if they like your app or not.
If they click yes, send them a notification to rate your app. Since they already told you they like it, they will be more likely to tell everyone, by giving you 5 stars.
If they click no... don’t ask them to rate your app. You don’t want everyone knowing they don't like it. Instead, turn this situation into an opportunity by sending them to a page that asks them for feedback. Getting feedback is very important. It will help you get user insights on how to improve your app and find bugs that you might have missed.
It is our job, here at StarDust, to test your app to make sure you haven’t missed any bugs. Feel free to contact us if you would like more information.
