An ROI-positive app marketing strategy: Acquiring and retaining high-quality app subscribers

Navigating the complex world of app marketing can often feel like solving a puzzle with ever-changing pieces. Yet, with the right strategies in place, it's possible not only to solve this puzzle but also to master it.

Today, we'll dive into how integrating App Store Optimization (ASO), Apple Search Ads (ASA), and creative strategies can not only help you attract higher-quality app subscribers but also retain them effectively. We'll also explore the pivotal role of in-app events and how custom product pages can revolutionize your paywall strategy, both on and off the App Store.

1. The Synergy of ASO, ASA, and Creative: our triple-point strategy for acquiring paying users

Triple Point Strategy Dart Board

Harnessing ASO: The Foundation

Think of ASO as the groundwork of your app's visibility. It’s about optimizing your app’s metadata—title, keywords, description, and screenshots, to ensure your app not only appears in search results but also captures user attention.  Here’s why you must implement ASO to get more and high-quality paying users.

- Keywords Are King: Use relevant keywords that not only attract a lot of searches but also target users who are likely to subscribe. Tools like Apptweak and DataAi can help you find these golden keywords.

- Stellar Visuals: Your app icon, screenshots, and preview videos need to be eye-catching. High-quality visuals (on and off the app store, and in-app) can significantly increase your conversion rates and subscription upgrades.

- Compelling Descriptions: Craft a description that highlights your app’s unique features and benefits. Remember, you’re not just selling an app; you’re offering a solution to a problem. Use this opportunity to convey why it's valuable for users to invest in your app.

Be on your toes to find what your users and target audience are looking for, but don’t stop there. Regularly update your app’s listing to reflect evolving user trends and feedback, making it as relevant and appealing as possible.

Amplifying with Apple Search Ads: The subscription accelerator

While ASO works its magic organically, Apple Search Ads can put you in the fast lane. The platform allows you to bid on keywords, ensuring your app appears at the top of search results when potential users are actively looking for apps like yours.

The beauty of Apple Search Ads is its synergy with ASO i.e. the data gleaned from your ASA campaigns can provide invaluable insights into which keywords are converting, not just into instals, but also subscribing to the app.

It’s a good strategy to allocate your budget wisely across campaigns i.e. allocating a higher budget towards high-converting keywords which indicates that a user is ready to subscribe, not just browse. This can be fed back into your ASO strategy into an ever-evolving vicious cycle of growth.

Crafting Irresistible Creatives: The Hook

Your creative assets are the first thing potential users see, so they need to be top-notch. High-quality images, videos, and the overall aesthetic are what make someone stop scrolling and take notice. With these, it’s best to highlight how your app solves a problem or improves the user’s life, a message that helps them understand why they’d need to pay at some point in time.

Segment your audience and then test different visuals and messaging to see what resonates best with your specific target audience. A/B testing helps you understand what works and what doesn’t while helping you create a seamless connection (right from serving your advert to acquiring them) that compels the user to download the app, engage and end up becoming a paying user.

2. Leveraging In-app Events for deeper user engagement and more subscribers

Events on the App Store, or Live Ops on the Play Store are your secret weapon in encouraging users to invest more deeply in your app. They are a fantastic way to keep your current users engaged and attract new ones. They can create excitement and encourage users to spend more time and resources with your app brand.

For existing users, app store events can refresh the app experience, encourage more frequent use and deeper involvement. For new users, these events can act as a powerful incentive to explore the app further than they might have otherwise. Both being reasons to direct the users onto the subscription journey.

Promoting these events via targeted notifications, special offers, or exclusive content can significantly enhance user engagement, higher subscriptions and retention. Also, consider using these events to gather user feedback, which in turn can provide information regarding future updates and marketing strategies.

3. Custom Product Pages: Tailoring Experiences On and Off the App Store

Custom product pages on the App Store can be a game-changer for your paywall strategy. By creating multiple versions of your app’s page tailored to different audiences or marketing campaigns, you can speak directly to potential subscribers’ needs and desires. This tailored approach can increase conversion rates.

Use custom product pages to test different paywall designs and offers. Find out which ones convert the best and use those insights to optimize your main paywall.

On the App Store, use these pages to target specific user segments with customized messages about the benefits of subscribing. Show them exactly what they will get and why it’s worth their investment.

While off the App Store, you can integrate custom product pages into your broader marketing media campaigns. Link them from your social media, emails, or other advertising channels to provide a seamless journey that guides users through tailored narratives, ultimately leading them to subscribe.

Conclusion

Mastering the blend of ASO, ASA, and creative elements requires a balance of art and science, which is something that Redbox Mobile’s experts have experienced deeply over the years. When executed thoughtfully, these strategies can attract not just more users but the right users; those who will engage, subscribe, and become advocates for your app.

With these integrated strategies, the potential for your app’s growth and success is limitless. Stay motivated, stay creative, and watch your app soar to new heights! Or you could contact us and our team will do the heavy lifting for you.

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