8 tips to create the most 'publishable' app on any App Store

Being in the App Store business, we get a number of requests from app developers to publish their apps on our store. Not all apps or content gets published due to a host of reasons. Let's simplify the process of getting apps published on any app store by getting the fundamentals right:

1) Register with genuine credentials Use an active email address. Apart from the obvious reason of reaching out to the developer, a genuine and active email address helps developers rank higher in the app algorithms. Searching for an app also becomes easy and enhances the developer's presence on the store.

2) Upload original content This is a given! Users don't want content which they do not trust and that impacts the core customer proposition and experience. Always publish original content unless you are a recognised aggregator or media company with clear publishing rights (keep required documentation handy) for the content that you distribute. If you do get through the strict publishing policies of the app store, they may still choose not to publish that particular content or even if they do, it will rank low in the app rank developed by them. This effectively lowers chances of being featured on the store.

More importantly, do not upload variants of an existing app with slightly different metadata in the hope of getting more downloads. Not only does it spoil user experience but the developer in the long term does not really make progress to acquire new users.

3) Usage of proper metadata to describe the app and its USP Get your basics right! Make sure the title, description and keywords used for your app are written in grammatically correct English with no spelling errors. Simple mistakes can turn off users as they associate the app to have poor quality of content created by first timers. Highlight the USP and best features of the app in the first 250 characters. Ensure it's crisp and will excite users to try the content, however, exaggerations or flowery language may not get new users for your app.

4) Thumbnails and screenshots Highlight the best features of your app through visuals. This enhances the face-value of the app and chances of users downloading such attractive apps are much higher. Make sure you choose the best screenshots to show at least three different aspects of your app.

5) Uploading genuine build files for a great user experience Content is king, but end users are the ones who give this crown to a particular app. The future of your app completely depends on the kind of user experience the app provides. Deliver what you promise, be it through screenshots or metadata. The probability of the app being rejected is high if metadata and screenshots different from the actual file.

The build file name and title of the app should be related, since this helps in identification of the file enabling quick review and publishing of the app.

6) Periodic updates Various studies conducted show that apps that are updated regularly garner more downloads than their peers. It makes sense for any app developer to regularly update apps if it wants to create long term association with the user base.

7) Avoid explicit content or content that could incite hatred Content that shows nude models or sexually explicit content is illegal in several countries. Apps containing references or comments about any religion or religious group or culture or those that are defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited or likely to expose the targeted group to harm or violence will be immediately rejected.

8) Promotions on app store

App stores generally have an in-house team of experts that feature apps on a regular basis without any costs. Tools like Pay Per Download (PPD) are self serviced tools which help developers start their very own campaign for the desired app. The featured app also gets mentioned across social media assets to get larger visibility, thus showcasing to a larger audience.

(Badri Sanjeevi is the CFO of People Group and CEO Mauj Mobile, Mobango. As told to TechCircle's Nikita Peer)