5 Optimization Tips For The New Google Android Market

February 2nd was indeed a big day for Google who launched the Android Market Web Store. The launch of market.android.com makes Google’s first bid to dethrone the App Store by making their 100K Apps accessible to users who previously have only been able to browse them via their mobile devices. The new web store allows browsing in any web browser, and then sends a link directly to a user’s phone. And YES, it even has a search bar.

Up to this point, users had to purchase Android apps through alternative Android Markets such as Androlib, AppBrain or through clients on their devices and tablets. The overall experience made it very difficult for users to search, find and finally own the apps they wanted.

Chris Yerga, engineering director for cloud services in Google’s Android group, said at an event to showcase Google’s new Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system:

“Now you can go to the browser and discover and get apps from the browser and install it to their devices directly from the Web.” Everything — the phone and browser –is connected through the cloud” Yerga added.

Yerga also showed off in-app purchasing, one of the most frequently requested features that allows developers to sell virtual goods and upgrades within apps to consumers. Disney Mobile is enabling this perk through its Tap Tap Revenge for Android. This will be launched in stages, but should be live before the end of the quarter.

The New Google Android Market Optimization Tips

With the release of the revamped Google Android Market, we felt it was the perfect time to share our Android Market Web Store Optimization Tips.

The following  5 tips will help your app the upper hand in a market that’s packed with new features!

TIP #1 – Screenshots and Icons

2 image screenshots are required for your app – Another 6 are optional. Use highly visual images, in other words, try not to use images from your app’s settings menu.
Accepted images sizes are: 320w x 480h, 480w x 800h, or 480w x 854h; 24 bit PNG or JPEG (no alpha) Full bleed, no border in art. Remember that landscape images may be cropped.

App Icon: Your App’s Icon is now extremely important as it shows up bigger than previously shown. Accepted icon size is: 512×512, 32-bit PNG with alpha; Max size of 1024KB.

Tip # 2 – Video Trailer

Video trailers have been proven to increase downloads and conversions for apps. The new Android Market supports the addition of video trailers by adding the URL to your video on YouTube. Use videos to showcase your app – Short videos (30 seconds – 2 minutes) highlighting the top features of your app work best.

Tip #3 – Keywords

Now that a search function has finally been implemented in the new Android Market, keywords and textual content  takes an increasingly important role in promoting your app. On a side note, we have to state that the search functionality is currently very loopy, in that the search results shown are less then optimum. This is an issue Google will tackle in the day and weeks to come.

Remember: Keywords aren’t just search terms related to your app or your app’s name. This is especially true if your app is new and no one’s ever heard of it yet. One of the best tactics is to include the names of competing apps in your keywords to help you gain a little extra traction.

For example, price comparison apps should include keywords such as: Groupon, Amazon, Red Laser, Ebay and more. Think on a global level and not a micro level. Doing so will increase your apps visibility to a wider audience.

Tip #4 – Description

The fact remains that Google’s search algorithm remains a mystery, maybe even to them at this point since, as we described above, the search function on the new Android Market needs a LOT of work. Regardless of this fact, your app’s description is the prime opportunity and real estate for you to make sure your app to shines. Share insight on what makes your app unique, without going overboard on features and specs. Focus on the main values your app offers – be short and to the point.

Tip #5 – User Reviews

User reviews do not expire, keep that in mind. So for better or for worse, the reviews your app earns is what you’ll be faced with. As  great as your screenshots and descriptions might seem, a lot of weight goes in to what other people are saying about your app. It’s highly recommended that you reach out to your core audience and invite them to share a positive review if they liked your app. Do this by contacting them via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or find out who’s creating video content about your app on YouTube. Research your audience and connect with them. They’ll appreciate it in the long run.

Bonus Tip – Social Recommendation

This is a quick tip that we almost missed at first glance, notice that the new Android Market now allows visitors share and recommend apps with their followers on Twitter. All you need to do is come up with a catchy Tweet to lead visitors to your app’s page.

In Conclusion

We’d love your thoughts and insight on this post and what you think of the new Android Market Web Store. Please do share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of this post or reach out to us via Twitter @Apps_Mktg