In this post, you will learn about regional ratings, how will this affect developers, and why are these changes great for small and new developers.
Let’s get started!
Regional ratings?
That’s why, starting in November 2021, we’re going to change the ratings that individual users see based on where they’re registered, and later in the year what device they’re using.
From November, this means that users on phones will see specific ratings for the country or region they’re based in. So a user in Japan will see app ratings generated from those submitted by other Japanese users.
What will the regional rating system change? (Predictions)
- Ratings & reviews will become more valuable.
- More developers will localize their apps/games.
- This will lead to better experiences for people who want to use apps/games in their native language.
What does all this mean for developers?
This will offer a clearer path for new and small developers to grow their apps. To get their first downloads.
Ratings & reviews will become more valuable.
Ratings & reviews help users make good and safe decisions without much thinking.
Without ratings & reviews, it is difficult for users to differentiate between good and bad apps/games. This will make it harder to get downloads without ratings & reviews.
The new rating system will provide more relevant reviews and this will make ratings seem more real.
Why localization works? Because some people like to use apps in their native language. Here is the other reason.
Start small
Peter Thiel co-founder of Paypal gives this advice in his book Zero to one (It is a great book).
Focus, start small.
Instead of trying to make an app for everybody, make it for a selected group of people.
You can:
- Make noting app for people in Bulgaria (Localization)
- Make noting app for medical students. (Niching down)
You might say, but now fewer people can use my app?
That is true. But it is not about how large is market, it is about you converting these people into users of your app.
Examples:
- Amazon started with just books.
- PayPal started with eBay PowerSellers.
- Facebook started with Harvard students. Then they expanded to other colleges, then high school, then everyone. (Source)
Why does a start small strategy work so well?
- It helps you convert people much easier because you are making something specific for them.
- It helps you communicate.
- It helps you fulfill the needs/wants of users much better.
If we use a Pareto principle and say 20% of apps/games get 80% downloads.
You want to be part of these 20% of apps/games. Starting small also helps you with that.
Why starting small and localization is great for small and new developers?
Starting small forces you to focus and this favors small and new developers.
Get users/customers 🡲 Work on making app/game better
Localization
App localization is the process of adapting every element of your app to suit the cultural, linguistic, and technical requirements of each of your target markets. (Source)
Why should you localize your app/game:
- To get visibility
- Ratings & reviews are more valuable
Localization on the most basic level can be just a translation of your:
- App Listing Page (App title, Short & long description, Screenshots, Video, etc…)
- App/Game
I would avoid just translating the app listing page because it might lead to bad reviews. Maybe if you want to test if there is a need/want for your app.
Avoid Google translate. It can lead to poor translation.
Text in other languages takes more space. Something to keep in mind.
i18n if you want to localize your app/game in multiple languages.
