Apple now lets devs iterate and optimize App Store listings

Developers can now try to make their listings sing

Just in time for the shopping season, Apple has introduced two developer-focused improvements that should help them build more effective App Store pages: page optimization and custom product pages.

Developers, developers, developers

Developers have wanted to be able to create additional versions of their app product pages for a while. Now they can, using Apple’s tools and this guide.

They may use these to highlight specific features or content, making this information discoverable through unique URLs.

Apple says these custom pages can use different screenshots, app previews, and promotional text — and are fully localizable. It lets developers showcase gameplay, features and many other particular elements of what they offer.

Product page optimization

Apple has taken a leaf out the web design book by offering product page optimization tools that let developers try to identify the most effective way to offer their content on App Store.

Apple states: “Try out alternate versions of your app’s product page with different icons, screenshots, and app previews to find out which one gets the best results.”

For example, you can find out if:

• Showcasing a certain character or value proposition gets better results.
• Highlighting a particular feature or culturally relevant content boosts downloads in a certain location.
• Changing your app icon to a different style or color results in increased conversion.
• Including seasonal content leads to more downloads.

Each version is shown to a percentage of randomly selected, eligible App Store users and results appear in App Analytics, so you can set the best performing one to display to everyone on the App Store.

In-app events will be displayed on the App Store starting October 27

The pleasure principle

Developers can find out more at the  Tech Talks product page optimization session and custom product pages session.

So, next time you’re at the App Store, if you find an app listing looks different, that’s because it probably is.

This is one of a raft of changes Apple has made in recent months as it seeks ways to improve its service in order to increase developer user satisfaction with its App Store. This follows months in which some developers have complained at aspects of the store, and a series of difficult litigations, some of which have yielded mixed results.

Some of the improvements it is making have been well-received, for course. Many seemed pleased to learn they can now test Mac apps using Testflight, and Apple’s series of TechTalks appear to be well used. All the same, sideloading remains bad for you.

At present,  Apple Developer Program membership costs $99 per year.

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