You built the app.
You launched the app.
But somehow… no one’s using it.
It’s sitting in the App Store like a ghost… live, but invisible.
No traction. No downloads. No movement.
This is a visibility problem. And it’s way more common in government apps than people realize.
Let’s fix that.
Where Visibility Breaks Down in the App Stores
Most government apps never really get seen. They’re technically available… but effectively invisible.
Why?
Because the App Store is a search engine, and your app is probably:
- Using the wrong keywords
- Stuck in a bad category
- Described in ways only your internal team understands
- Buried under better-optimized apps that do less but rank higher
In other words, your app might be great, but it’s not discoverable.
Keywords That Citizens Actually Use
Real talk: your citizens are not searching for “Municipal Incident Reporting System.”
They’re typing stuff like:
- “report pothole app”
- “city trash pickup app”
- “pay water bill online”
So when your app listing uses internal department names or project titles as its metadata, you’re basically SEO-ing for your own team, not your users.
Fix:
- Use plain language keywords that reflect citizen intent
- Do some light keyword research (or we can do it for you)
- Prioritize local search behavior… what works in L.A. won’t be the same in Raleigh
Title + Description Fixes for App Discovery
Your title and subtitle are prime real estate.
They should:
- Say what the app does
- Show who it’s for
- Trigger search results
Example:
❌ “ConnectCity App”
Better to do:
- Richmond City Services
- Richmond Services App
- Richmond Trash & Utilities
- Richmond Report & Pay
- City of Richmond Utilities
Then the description should not be a wall of government-speak.
It should:
- Lead with benefits
- Use clear, scannable language
- Feel like something a human wrote for another human
How Visual Assets Impact Visibility
Yes… screenshots matter. A lot.
Even if your app gets found, a bad visual first impression = no download.
Most public sector apps fail here because:
- Screenshots are just UI with no context
- There’s no overlay copy to explain what’s happening
- They use logos instead of real screens
You need:
- Bold, benefit-driven overlays
- Captions that show value
- Clean visuals that feel modern and accessible
People don’t trust what they can’t understand. Screenshots are your trust signal.
Use Analytics to Spot Visibility Issues
You don’t need fancy dashboards to know something’s wrong. Start with the basics:
- Impressions but no downloads? → You’re being seen, but your listing isn’t converting.
- No impressions at all? → You’re not ranking for anything meaningful.
- High bounce rate post-click? → Your screenshots/descriptions are killing trust.
If you’re using the Apple App Analytics or Google Play Console, look at:
- Store Listing Conversion Rate
- Search Term Impressions
- Top Exit Screens
Data doesn’t lie. It just tells you where your app is losing people.
How We Help Public Teams Get Found
We’re not here to rewrite your code. We fix everything around the app that’s holding it back from being seen.
Here’s how:
- We audit your keywords and metadata
- We rewrite titles, subtitles, and descriptions in plain English
- We redesign your screenshots to show value at a glance
- We make your app easier to find, trust, and download
It’s visibility without the fluff. Built specifically for public teams who don’t want to guess.
Don’t let a good app go unseen. Let’s get it found and actually used.