According to John Geleynse, director of technology evangelism at Apple, there are certain fundamental criteria for making your app stand out.
While building EISENHOWER, we tried to integrate as many of these aspects as possible (like finally making it available in multiple languages through the generous help of friends). Sticking to these principles has helped us reach the App Store front page in more than 120 countries, and we believe you can do it, too.
I. Delightful
- Inviting: leaves a great first impression — from the App Store to your app’s icon to its very first launch
- Intuitive: is easy to understand and use — at least or even primarily for your target customers
- Engaging: makes people come back to your app again and again — so that they never want to delete it
- Enabling: helps people do things that they could not do before — more than just taking features mobile
- Exciting: generates enthusiasm among users
- Memorable: shows significance immediately — in just a matter of seconds
- Satisfies a need: solves a customer’s problem — which can be as little as the need for entertainment
- Works as expected: does not crash upon launch — and fits description and screenshots
II. Innovative
- Unique
- Groundbreaking
- Category-defining
- Inspirational
III. State of the art
- Takes advantage of the latest iOS devices
- Supports the latest OS releases
- Integrates the latest technologies
- Uses the latest development techniques
- Fast and responsive
IV. Connected
- Uses hardware APIs like location, WiFi/Bluetooth, accessory kit
- Uses software APIs like iCloud, AirPlay, AirPrint, notifications, in-app purchases
V. Accessible
Reaches everyone (visually/hearing impaired, learning disabled) with accessibility features like voice-over, closed captioning, zoom, mono audio and white-on-black mode
VI. Localized
Offers multiple-language support when selling worldwide (internationalization guide)
VII. Designed
- Efficient interaction design
- Gorgeous visual design
- Reflects what is familiar
- Modeled after the real world (physicality and realism)
- Sweats the details
VIII. Disruptive
- Has impact, leaves an impression
- Changes things
- Starts trends
- Entertains, has better tech
- Forces us to reimagine and rethink
- Inspires
The full video, including many helpful examples, has been made available to developers here (“Ingredients of Great Apps”). So next time you’re asking yourself, “How do I get my new app featured by Apple in the App Store?”, this is clearly the best guideline to start with.