Simple ASO Keyword Tool

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

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 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 tool is focused on doing one thing well

The keyword analysis happens client-side, meaning there's no need for a backend or database. This keeps things simple and costs at a minimum.

Outcomes for Add Jam

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

• A helpful resource for the app development community
• A way to demonstrate our technical and marketing expertise
• A lead generator for our ASO consultancy services

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

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.

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.

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 is free to use, so please do try it out but if you're looking for more comprehensive 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.