Getting good reviews and ratings for your mobile app is important. They can make a big difference when someone is deciding whether to download your app or not. But getting those positive reviews isn’t always easy unless a customer feels strongly about your app, good or bad.
Even though 76% of apps in the App Store and Google Play Store have ratings of four stars or more, this usually doesn’t happen by accident. A lot of effort goes into encouraging happy users to leave reviews. If you’re serious about improving App Store Optimization (ASO), reviews and ratings are a huge part of the process.
In this blog, we’ll talk about why reviews matter and how you can use them to build trust with your customers.
What Are App Ratings and Reviews?
App ratings are the stars (1 to 5) that appear next to your app’s name in the App Store or Google Play Store. They’re one of the first things potential customers see when browsing for apps. But ratings are more than just a quick look at how good an app is; they also help users share their experiences, suggest improvements, and guide others who are trying to decide which app to download.
High ratings and reviews give your app a huge advantage. Apps with low ratings make users hesitate and often send them looking for alternatives.
Why Do Ratings and Reviews Matter?
Ratings can directly impact how many people download your app. For example, increasing your app’s rating from two stars to three can boost downloads by 306%! Moving from three to four stars can increase downloads by 89%.
Most people (90%) rely on star ratings when deciding whether to try out a new app. People check reviews before downloading apps (79%), before updating apps (53%), and even before making in-app purchases (55%). This makes reviews and ratings one of the most powerful tools for attracting more users.
Reasons Why Improving App Ratings and Reviews Is Important
1. More Traffic From App Store Searches
Most users find apps by searching directly in the app store. Every time someone sees your app’s name, they also see your average rating. High ratings show users that your app is trustworthy and popular, making them more likely to download it. Apps with better ratings also rank higher for keywords.
2. More Traffic From App Store Browsing
People also discover apps by browsing featured sections, category charts, and top charts in the app stores. However, getting your app featured in these sections is nearly impossible without a good number of positive reviews.
3. Higher Conversion Rates
Ratings and reviews help users quickly compare apps. In Google Play, search results show the app’s average rating, and in the Apple App Store, they also show the number of ratings. Apps with higher ratings and reviews convert more visitors into downloads.
4. Positive First Impressions
Good reviews are essential for business. People trust apps that have many positive reviews and are willing to spend more on apps with higher ratings. In a crowded app store, positive ratings help your app stand out and show that it’s worth downloading.
5. More Trust and Credibility
App reviews give potential users a look into what other people think. Almost everyone (99.9%) reads reviews before making decisions online. Positive reviews boost confidence, while negative reviews help identify areas that need improvement.
6. Better Rankings for Keywords
The more positive reviews your app gets, the more attention it attracts from Google and Apple’s algorithms. Google even uses keywords from reviews to rank apps, helping your app show up in more relevant searches.
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Why Do People Choose Top-Rated Apps?
People like to trust the opinions of others. In today’s digital world, reviews are like word-of-mouth recommendations. Positive reviews act as social proof, encouraging others to download your app. On the other hand, negative reviews can make people think twice.
How to Improve App Ratings and Reviews
If you want more positive reviews, you can’t just wait for them to come. You need to actively ask for feedback from your users. This allows you to stay connected with your users, improve their satisfaction, and increase your chances of getting good ratings. Make sure to ask for reviews at the right time, and always show that you value their feedback by addressing their concerns or incorporating their suggestions.
How to Handle Negative Reviews and Ratings
Dealing with negative reviews can be tough, but it’s important to handle them in a professional way. Here are a few tips:
- Understand the issue: Figure out what’s causing the problem mentioned in the review.
- Respond quickly and kindly: Thank the user for their feedback and offer solutions.
- Stay positive: Don’t take negative feedback personally.
- Use feedback for improvement: Negative reviews can help you identify areas to fix in your app.
- Keep your app updated: Regular updates show users that you’re listening and improving the app.
How Can Plan My Apps Help You Build Credibility?
At Plan My Apps, we help Shopify merchants turn their stores into mobile apps. We provide tools that make it easy for you to ask for reviews and display them in your app. These tools allow users to leave feedback through email, SMS, or social media, helping you collect more reviews.
Visual reviews, like pictures and videos, help new users trust your app even more. The more positive feedback you get, the stronger your app’s credibility becomes.
In a Nutshell
In today’s world, customer reviews and ratings are like a digital form of word-of-mouth marketing. Positive reviews can boost your app’s reputation and sales, while negative ones can point out areas for improvement. At Plan My Apps, we give you the tools to gather and showcase reviews, helping you build trust with your users and improve your app’s success. Ready to grow your app’s potential? Let Plan My Apps help you get there!
