Simple ASO Keyword Tool - Free ASO Platform

As a developer I always enjoy getting my hands dirty and making new mobile apps and websites but there's always the 'chore' part of shipping a product. With a mobile app you might get to the point where the code is clean, the design is slick, you're ready to launch but the 20% part of the 80:20 rules kicks in and you need to fill in the App Store listing. You know App Store keywords matter, but all the fancy ASO tools want you to sign up an expensive subscription just to check if you're doing it right. Frustrating, right?

That's exactly what got us thinking - why isn't there a simple, free tool that just tells you if you're making obvious keyword mistakes?

Making the basics of ASO simple

Here's the thing about App Store Optimisation - it's crucial. I've seen stats suggesting 70% of App Store visitors use search to find apps and that 65% of downloads come directly from searches. The keywords you enter on App Store Connect have a direct impact on your search positioning so optimising your keywords can have a profound impact on your chances of success.

In my experience a lot of ASO tools can be really complex with dense dashboards, competitor analysis, keyword volume metrics etc etc when sometimes (especially if your background is not in marketing) you just want to know if you're getting the basics right.

Our afternoon solution (that kept growing)

We decided to tackle this problem and set ourselves a tight deadline - one afternoon. The goal was simple: build something that helps developers avoid common ASO mistakes without the faff.

Using Next.js we created a tool that:

• Checks your keywords against App Store best practices
• Highlights common mistakes in real-time
• Gives actionable advice in plain English
• Requires zero sign-ups or subscriptions

The interface is intentionally minimalist. Pop in your keywords, get instant feedback. No charts, no graphs, no "upgrade to pro" buttons lurking in the corners.

The expanded toolkit

What started as a simple keyword checker has evolved into something much more feature packed and useful. Based on feedback from developers and app founders using the tool, we've added an expanded suite of launch and optimisation tools to help others make the most of their app.

Launch preparation tools

Getting ready to launch? We've built dedicated prelaunch checklists for both iOS and Android platforms:

• iOS Launch Checklist - A step-by-step guide ensuring you don't miss any crucial steps when submitting to the App Store. From app icons to privacy policies, we've got you covered.

• Android Launch Checklist - Google Play has its own quirks and requirements. Our Android checklist helps you navigate the submission process smoothly.

These aren't just generic lists - they're practical, actionable checklists born from our years experience launching dozens of apps.

Marketing and promotion tools

Once your app is live, promotion becomes crucial:

• Promo Image Generator - Create professional-looking promotional images for social media, press kits, or marketing materials. No design skills required.

• Review Smart Link Generator - Generate short URLs and QR codes that direct users to leave reviews on their specific platform (iOS or Android). Makes it dead simple for happy users to leave reviews.

Performance and learning tools

Understanding your app's performance and the ecosystem:

• Store Performance Analysis - Input your impressions, downloads, and revenue data to get actionable insights. Our tool helps you understand whether your conversion rates are healthy and where to focus your optimization efforts.

• App Store Monetization Dictionary - Confused by ASO jargon? Our simple searchable dictionary explains key terms and acronyms you'll encounter when optimizing your app store presence.

The tech stack

We built this using Next.js and deployed it on Netlify because:

1. We wanted it to be fast and simple to host
2. Server-side rendering (making Google happy)
3. Minimal content on the site, the tools are focused on doing specific jobs well

The keyword analysis happens client-side, meaning there's no need for a backend or database for the core functionality. This keeps things simple and costs at a minimum. This site was developed with Next.js and is an example of our experiences in React web development

From single simple tool multi-faceted platform

What's interesting about this project is how it's grown organically based on real user needs. Each new feature came from developers asking "do you have something that helps with X?"

The beauty of starting simple is that you can expand thoughtfully. Rather than building a complex tool that nobody uses, we built something useful first, then added complementary features that enhance the core experience.

Outcomes for Add Jam

What started as a quick solution to our own frustration turned into something rather interesting. The expanded toolkit now serves as:

• An impactful and useful resource for the app development community
• A way to demonstrate our technical and marketing expertise across the full app launch lifecycle
• A lead generator for our ASO consultancy services
• Proof of our ability to build and iterate on digital products based on user feedback

It's a perfect example of how solving your own problems can create value for others, and how listening to users can guide product evolution. Plus, it shows that not every useful tool needs months of development and a complicated business model to get started.

Lessons learned

This project reinforces what we've always believed at Add Jam - sometimes the best solutions are the simple ones. While other ASO tools are busy adding features and complexity, we stripped everything back to the essentials, then built up thoughtfully.

The expansion from a single keyword tool to feature rich platform of free ASO tools happened naturally because we stayed close to our users and their actual needs. Each new tool solves a real problem that developers face during the app launch and optimization process.

For businesses looking to build their own tools, the lesson is clear: start with the problem, keep it focused, and don't be afraid to launch something simple that solves one thing well. Use a small 'm' in your MVP, then let user feedback guide your roadmap.

Learn more about Simple ASO Keyword Tool

Whether you're launching your first app or managing a portfolio of products, getting your App Store presence right is crucial. Our Simple ASO Keyword Tool suite is free to use, so please do try it out. The expanded toolkit covers everything from pre-launch preparation to post-launch optimization.

If you're looking for a personalised ASO strategy:

• Our team offers expert ASO consultancy services
• We can help with full app store presence optimisation, a good start is to dive into our ASO advice blog posts
• We provide ongoing ASO monitoring and improvement

Drop us a line if you'd like to chat about how we can help your app reach more users. After all, great apps deserve to be discovered, and we've got the tools and expertise to make that happen.