Mobile apps have become a ubiquitous, integral part of our daily lives. From social media to e-commerce to productivity in the workplace, these apps have made our lives more comfortable and convenient. However, with millions of apps available in the app stores, how can users know which ones are worth downloading? This is where ratings and reviews play a crucial role in determining the success of a mobile app.
Why Do App Ratings and Reviews Matter?
An app’s ratings and reviews provide valuable insights to both consumers and developers. Ratings and reviews in the app marketplaces present a unique opportunity to collect candid, unfiltered feedback about your products in real time. The challenge is that these reviews are public and become part of your overall brand and reputation.
Modern consumers trust the reviews, recommendations, and experiences of their peers at a significantly higher rate than traditional advertising tactics. Over 70% of consumers will read at least one rating or review before downloading a free app. Feedback provided in app ratings helps to set user expectations for the app’s features and functionality, as well as what the in-app experience will be like, should they choose to download it.
Ratings and reviews also provide valuable feedback to app developers on the overall user experience, functionality, and features of the app. Developers should actively monitor ratings and reviews to identify trends and better understand user sentiment. Insights from user ratings and reviews play a critical role in your mobile product strategy and can help you prioritize features and capabilities for future updates.
Strong App Ratings Increase Conversions
Positive reviews and high ratings can increase the app’s visibility and credibility, leading to more downloads and increased revenue. Users are more likely to download an app with higher ratings and positive reviews as they perceive it to be a reliable and trustworthy app. A strong app rating is considered to be at least 4 out of 5 stars. When an app increases its’ rating from 2 stars to 4, app store conversions increase by up to 540%. The app store and google play are more likely to display and recommend apps with strong ratings in search results, boosting visibility.
The Cost of Negative Reviews
In contrast, negative reviews and low ratings can quickly turn away potential users and harm the app’s reputation. Because your app is an extension of your brand, this can have a detrimental effect on overall consumer sentiment. 55% of consumers say a 1-2 star app rating negatively impacts their perception of a brand. Apps with poor ratings and reviews actively work against your marketing and promotional efforts for driving adoption, and ultimately, cost you money.
Raise Your Ratings
Positive feedback is vital for the success of a mobile app. Organizations must strive to maintain their reputation by listening to their users, addressing negative reviews, and continuously improving the app’s functionality and features. Higher ratings and positive reviews can lead to increased visibility, more downloads, and ultimately, greater customer acquisition, growth, and revenue. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to user feedback and make necessary improvements to ensure a successful mobile app.
Perficient’s Raise Your Ratings Jumpstart helps you assess your apps’ ratings and reviews, identify key remediation opportunities, and deliver an actionable plan to address mobile feedback. Contact one of our Mobile Solutions experts for more information and let us partner with you for ongoing mobile success.
