When it comes to app store reviews, every star counts. In fact, according to a study by Apptentive, only 8% of people said star ratings have little or no influence on their evaluation of an app. That's the equivalent of over 193 million Americans, or every person in 43 out of the 50 states letting the stars guide their decision-making.
To win over the majority of potential users, it takes more than just a few positive reviews. In fact, only 15% of people would even consider downloading a 2-star app, and just 50% are willing to consider 3-star apps. But what's the secret to getting those glowing reviews?
Tip #1: Encourage Feedback
Start by letting your users know you want their feedback. Ask your most loyal users for their thoughts, or consider asking people you know to download your app and test it out. Workflows are a great way to automate the process, allowing you to send personalized emails asking new users for their feedback and providing instructions on how to contact support.
Tip #2: Make Customer Service a Priority
The majority of one-star reviews come from customers who are dealing with bugs and glitches. To avoid these negative reviews, make sure your app store profile is complete with contact information so that users can reach out in the event of an issue. You want to make it easy for them to get in touch with you to funnel complaints away from the app store.
Tip #3: Monitor Incoming Reviews
By putting a process in place for monitoring reviews, you can stay on top of user sentiment. With the help of a tool like Appfigures, you can receive alerts via Slack, email, or push notification anytime a new review is posted, and view them in aggregate along with a wide variety of app store optimization related insights.
Tip #4: Use a Review Prompt Plug-in
There are plenty of plugins available (for both iOS and Android) that you can use to create customized prompts asking users to review your app. Some popular options include Appirater for iOS, Apptentive, and Helpshift. These plugins allow you to send custom in-app notes, surveys, polls, and reminders based on user's activity.
By following these tips and prioritizing app user experience through positive reviews, you can boost your app's visibility, increase downloads, and drive growth. Remember, every star counts, so make sure to encourage feedback, make customer service a priority, monitor incoming reviews, and use a review prompt plug-in to get those glowing reviews.