Nowadays it has become critical to win the users’ trust instantly to strive in the app market. App developers have to do more than just write a basic steps for users to follow.
This is where app preview videos come in handy. They reel in the users by walking them through the app journey.
What Do Preview Videos Mean in the App Market?
Preview videos aren’t small snapshots of the apps. These videos are a visual treat for users to help them understand how an app works from scratch. These also act as a promotional tool and play an important role in ultimately helping the app succeed through improved conversion rates and easy trackability.
Therefore, mobile app demo video production agencies, such as Zelios, can be an important marketing partners for software development teams.
What Does it Mean for the App Developers?
- Improved conversion rates. A high-quality preview video results in a broader pool of users. According to StoreMave, preview videos can easily improve the app’s installation rate up to 20%-30%.
- Easy trackability: In today’s competitive app market, it’s hard to stand out, but preview videos can autoplay in search results and instantly grab the user’s attention, giving apps a competitive advantage.
- Local Segmentation and AB Testing. App developers can create different versions by segmentation. They can also test these versions with A/B testing to see which version of their app fits best with their target users.
For App Users
- Lessens risk: For paid apps, a preview video gives its potential users a good idea of what they are buying, which builds trust and confidence.
- Quick tour: Users get a quick sneak peek of the app before actually downloading it, appealing to short-attention-span users.
- Works even on Mute: App store videos often show only still screenshots of the app but videos offer attractive designs to make sure their message is conveyed to users who have their audio on mute.
- Realistic Expectations: When users watch preview videos, they know exactly what they’re getting into. This is done by showing the unfiltered app’s functionality and its important elements.
Why Preview Videos Exceed Images?
Why are preview videos more attractive than still images? Many apps with preview videos often exceed static screenshots because they help users get an idea about what they can expect from the app. 74% of marketers report that videos have a better return on investment than static imagery.
While both are important in the app market, preview videos serve as a much stronger asset in presenting and communicating the app’s experience to the users.
A static screenshot does not convey the same level of detail that a preview video can. This visual approach is more effective in conveying an app’s capabilities to its targeted audience.
There are Some Examples
1. Gaming Apps
In the gaming world, animations, physics, and visualization are the main selling points. A screenshot of a character or game is much more limited compared to a video that shows their personality, how they move and what they can do.
- Sports Game: A screenshot can show an aesthetic sports car. But a video can truly highlight its features and provide you with an in-depth look at the graphics, the sound, and the racetracks for example.
- Puzzle Solving Game: A screenshot for a puzzle game can show how the puzzle board is going to look like but a video can explain the rules and the benefits that come with solving puzzles.
2. Productivity Apps
Even for less visually appealing apps, preview videos are essential.
- Finance management app: Screenshots can show different infographics. However, with a video, users can walk through the steps and the entire setup process.
- Note-taking app: Users might know how the note-taking app looks from a screenshot. But with preview videos, users know exactly how the note-taking app works, with tips and tricks essential for beginners and a less-technical audience.
Requirements for App Store and Preview Videos
Each app store has its own rules and regulations for preview videos. On iOS, the video has to show real footage of how the app works without adding any fluff to it. It also needs to be short and convey its message in under 30 seconds with a size of 500MB. It not only improves your app’s impact but also interacts well with short-attention-span users.
On the other hand, Google Play Store lets you use one video, usually uploaded on YouTube, which appears in the app’s main graphic section. The best way to use this space is by showing the real-time game play or actual app features to grab users’ attention quickly, leading to higher conversion.
By following these rules set by the app stores, your app will see a boost in installation rate, build trust with users, and ultimately make them more confident about downloading it.
Common Mistakes To Look Out For
Apps with preview videos can be powerful, but many app developers make the mistakes that eventually lead to reducing their impact in the market:
- Making Detailed Videos; Making your videos longer can bore a user. You have to create shorter videos which also provide a quick and understandable summary to users. This is extremely important because users have gotten used to fast-paced videos.
- Overpromising and underdelivering: Showing features your app won’t actually be able to perform creates disappointment and leaves your app with poor reviews.
- Poor audio and aesthetics: Poor visuals and sound can make your app look cheap and unprofessional, even if it has a lot of amazing features.
- Neglecting localization: A video that might work for one market may not work for the other. Adding translations would help tackle that problem and make your app appear more appealing to global users.
Conclusion
Users are more likely to use apps with preview videos because it builds trust, and users can interact with the app before even downloading it. These videos have become essential in the app market to survive, stay relevant, and ultimately improve conversion rates.
Compared to static screenshots, they build stronger trust and reduce uncertainty while making apps stand out in the crowded stores. That’s why users are far more likely to download and use apps that showcase preview videos, because seeing is believing.
