When iOS 11 launches this fall, users and developers will be ecstatic to experience a brand-new App Store design. While many iPhone users are focused on how iOS 11 will make their lives more productive, developers are focused on how it will help their apps and games become more discoverable on the App Store.
The App Store’s new design not only affects how users traverse the store, but affects how they view apps and games. One way Apple is helping apps and games become more discoverable is by allowing developers to submit up to three preview videos.
Preview videos aid developers in successfully converting users. Having more preview videos gives developers more opportunities to display in-app content and gameplay, encouraging users to download apps. However, the success of preview videos is largely based on concise metadata.
While it is fantastic that Apple has added multiple opportunities for developers to showcase the unique features of their app or game, it also means there is more room to fail; largely due to poor metadata. Remember, having great preview videos can improve conversion up to 30 percent, but having terrible or confusing preview videos can also diminish conversion up to 30 percent.
It’s critical to find the happy medium using App Store Optimization (ASO) best practices to ensure that every developer is well on their way to having not just one great preview video, but three.
Changes to Preview Videos
Positives:
- Can submit up to three preview videos.
- Can display their preview videos to auto play with muted audio.
- Developers can choose which preview video will be displayed first.
Pitfalls:
- Auto play means losing the poster frame, a key piece of metadata that can improve conversion.
- Preview videos displayed without auto play will have the poster frame image which still affects their overall conversion.
Developers need to understand that any additional preview videos displayed on their product page will ultimately affect their conversion rates. The only way to ensure that preview videos will not only look great but positively affect conversion is by using ASO.
How ASO Will Help
Utilizing ASO best practices will greatly help developers create stunning preview videos that will improve their conversion rates. To avoid any possibility of decreasing conversion up to 30 percent, it is critical that developers first understand what they are trying to convey with their preview video.
Developers need to immediately hook their users within the first 5 seconds by calling attention to core features using high-volume keywords and clear visuals that display the app or game’s interface or gameplay without giving too much information away.
While developers need to act fast, they also need to follow Apple’s strict guidelines. These guidelines are in place to ensure developers are creating uniform preview videos that display in-app content in its truest form.
The basic guidelines to follow:
- Preview Videos can be up to 30 seconds
- Must use straightforward transitions
- Need to display real-world usage and functionality
- Cannot show users interacting with a device that displays the app or game
Even though Apple requires developers to follow their guidelines, those that use ASO will be ahead of the curve and well-prepared before iOS 11 launches this fall.
Be Prepared for iOS 11
Having multiple preview videos is a fantastic addition that has led the developer community to scramble and ultimately change their approach toward creating preview videos. It is crucial that developers make sure they are following ASO best practices to truly capture their app’s core features and unique style, or important aspects of their gameplay.
While iOS 11 will not be out until later this year, it is important that developers be proactive and start creating their additional preview videos now instead of waiting until the last minute. Any developer not using ASO should seriously consider taking the plunge to ensure their conversion rates will improve before the App Store is redesigned.
About the author:
Dave Bell is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gummicube. In this role, Dave is responsible for overseeing the business strategy for the company, driving growth and market development. Dave is a pioneer of the mobile entertainment industry with more than 15 years of experience publishing, marketing and distributing mobile applications and games across carrier, direct to consumer and app store channels.
