{"id":"596","date":"2017-01-26T11:26:13","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T19:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickfu.com\/blog\/?p=596"},"modified":"2021-10-22T06:49:21","modified_gmt":"2021-10-22T13:49:21","slug":"improving-app-store-screenshots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/improving-app-store-screenshots\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving your app store screenshots"},"content":{"rendered":"

Along with optimizing your app’s name, writing an app description that sells, and choosing a memorable app icon<\/a>, mobile apps also need to think about what app store screenshots will best entice users to download. I asked successful app developers for their advice on screenshots, and these common themes emerged.<\/p>\n

Your screenshots don’t have to be actual screenshots<\/h3>\n

“The greatest misconception about app store screenshots is that they actually need to be screenshots!,” says Jonathan Kerns, co-founder of Comparakeet<\/a>. Hugh Kimora of Mobile Action<\/a> agrees, noting, “the biggest mistake is taking screenshots of random screens or menu screens inside the app and not highlighting a specific benefit.” Instead, he suggests, “Use a text banner to specify the exact benefit of the app that you are trying to highlight in each screenshot.” In addition, Kerns advises, “Take a look at major gaming apps and the types of things that they do for inspiration. Incorporate a mix of imagery from within the app with short marketing messages and calls to action.” One such marketing message, says Adam Davis<\/a>, CMO of Thingthing, is to “have one screen showcasing any awards or press coverage you’ve had by adding their badges and logos. This can be very powerful as it adds a great deal of credibility to your app.” <\/p>\n

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One of Thingthing’s screenshots<\/p><\/div>\n

Focus on the user’s goal<\/h3>\n

“The screen shots must be of screens that show how the user gets the most value from the app or has the most fun if it is a game,” asserts Alex Genadinik of Problemio<\/a>. “Show users succeeding in what the person who is looking at the screen shots wants to succeed in – like losing weight or being on vacation. Inspiring images will make people imagine getting the benefit of the app.” You should also list the most important product benefits first. “The first two screens are what are immediately seen in your app store listing (and part of the third in the Google Play Store),” Davis says. “Put your strongest selling points here.”<\/p>\n

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One of Clumsy Ninja’s screenshots<\/p><\/div>\n

Maximize the real estate<\/h3>\n

“Fill all of the screenshot slots,” implores Kimora. “Be sure to optimize for screen orientation. For example, if you have an iPhone app, portrait screenshots might work best.” He also adds, “app developers should make sure that their screenshots can be seen clearly on smaller devices.” Davis recommends another way to use all of the available space: “A common mistake I see is including the phone in your image when it isn’t needed. Losing the phone from the images allows you to make your screen area bigger and draw more attention to the value of your app.”<\/p>\n

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One of Target’s screenshots<\/p><\/div>\n

Use the right App Store screenshot size<\/h3>\n

In the iOS App Store, you can create sets of screenshots for all device types. The smallest is the 5.5″ iPhone display; the largest is for the 12.9″ iPad display. You’ll need to provide at least these two sets, but it’s a good idea to include other sizes as well. See the complete list of App Store screenshot size<\/a> specifications.<\/p>\n

Use a screenshot generator<\/h3>\n

If you don’t have design resources in-house, consider a screenshot generator<\/a>. “These tools allow you to choose backgrounds and titles for each screenshot, which can help sell users on the app’s key benefits,” says George Hartley, Director of SmartrMail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some tools that interviewees recommend include<\/p>\n