Tips to increase mobile app engagement
March 3, 2024
7 min read

User engagement means how much a person uses an app and stays interested in it. It's super important for developers to give users good reasons to keep using their app.

In mobile marketing, a big goal is to get more people engaged with apps. This can be done in different ways like sending them emails that they're interested in, making content that's just for them, and trying out new marketing ideas.

So, why is this so crucial? Well, experts predict that the revenue generated from apps is going to be really big, especially in places like India where there's a growing market for app development. They're saying that by 2027, the total earnings from apps might hit a massive US$752,753.98 million! This shows how important it is to keep people curious about using apps.

How to increase mobile app engagement?

In today’s contemporary world where n-number of apps are available in the market and attracting the attention of users, it is in no way an easy task to get a hold of a user for a particular app.

And hence, it is very important to increase user engagement because users who have had a buoyant experience with a particular app are more likely to return back and without a doubt, these customers will be more enthusiastic to recommend a particular app to their friends, which in turn, increase the app’s user acquisition rates.

Before diving into the tips to increase mobile app engagement, let’s understand some basics about engagement.

What is mobile app engagement?

In this digital realm, engagement occurs everywhere on the internet. User engagement assesses whether customers value a product or service.

Engagement can indeed be measured through a range of activities such as streaming services, clicks, shares, and much more.

Highly engaged subscribers are considerably more efficient, as long as their actions result in valuable outcomes such as buying, signups, subscriptions, or click-throughs.

Why is User Engagement Important?

User engagement is strongly linked to overall profitability. User attention is a limited resource, and when users want to spend time on a specific app or site, they are indicating that they value it.

This enables businesses to profit from the product or service through advertisements, subscriptions, or sales. With higher levels of engagement, users are more likely to purchase, return, and recommend the product or service to others.

Teams can increase product profitability by implementing these tips to increase mobile app engagement.

Tips to Increase mobile app engagement

Simple Onboarding

Through Onboarding, a user is introduced to a product. Onboarding not only instructs the user how to work with the latest interface but also enables them to customize it.

The developers of the app can use onboarding not only at the first launch but they can also use it when adding fresh functions to the app.

The developers must focus on vital features of the app, and then invite the user or customer to register on the app.

Moreover, app developers should also focus on visualizing the content. Interactive apps keep hold of the user for a long time. Also, to keep hold of the user, app developers can also reward the users with additional functionality after registration.

Developers should also take care that the user is not forced upon for anything on the app, for example, the app should offer the use ran opportunity to close or skip the tutorial and shouldn’t be forced to read or watch it to the full.

Deep Linking

One of the best ways to re-engage app users is through Deep Linking.

For instance, if the app has a heightened bounce rate, then the developer can retarget customers who did not complete the registration process.

This can be done by sending a deep link to the uservia email or a notification.

The link’s resource then determines the user’s OS or operating system.

As and when the user clicks on the link, the link leads the customer to a distinctive screen that offers a more personalized signup process.

Therefore, it is said to be a simple and somewhat inexpensive way to get more users or customers involved in the app.

Push Notifications and In-App Messaging

Push notifications, which are considered one of the best tips to increase mobile app engagement, remind users or customers that they have an app with such a name on their device.

Second, these notifications significantly streamline the work with the product and save time for the user.

Such notifications are especially very necessary touse in apps as they perform distinctive functions and are not utilized on adaily basis.

Therefore, by sending a push notification to the customer about a new discount or service, the developer provides customers with a fair reason to use the product again and again.

These notifications can also help in promoting app usage if implemented correctly.

It also targets messages based on behavioral preferences and data. A decent and well-crafted push message can more than double the customer return rate for a longer period.

Developers should make sure that they have a tool that helps them optimize push notifications and other user engagement strategies.

Mobile Marketing Automation

The use of web services and software to automate different marketing processes, mainly working with customers – leading them along the funnel is known as Marketing automation. The primary purpose of marketing automation is to create the most effective communication with possible users and consequently increase sales.

Marketing automation refers to utilizing web services and software to streamline and automate various marketing processes, particularly those related to customer engagement and progression through the sales funnel. Its primary objective is to facilitate highly targeted and personalized communication with potential customers, ultimately driving increased sales and conversions.

By implementing marketing automation, businesses can leverage advanced technology to automate repetitive tasks, optimize marketing campaigns, and enhance customer interactions. This sophisticated approach enables companies to deliver the right message, at the right time, to the right audience, leading to improved engagement, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction.

In-App Communities

Communities are social elements incorporated into the application that permit users to communicate with each other and exchange knowledge and experiences.

One of the most triumphant user retention and engagement tactics is to have an in-app community.

The in-app community is successful because it arouses a feeling of belonging and competitiveness amongst the users and encourages them to return to the app, knowing that their coequals are waiting on the platform.

Moreover, having a community in an app “humanizes” the applications, and apps with numerous users have community managers who act as a bridge between the business and customers.

Gamification

Gamification, a concept that emerged in the early 2000s, has gained widespread recognition and adoption in various industries. It represents an innovative and effective approach to engage customers, drive user participation, and ultimately boost business revenue. By leveraging game mechanics and principles, companies have successfully transformed mundane activities into exciting and interactive experiences.

The power of gamification lies in its ability to tap into human psychology and motivation. Incorporating elements such as challenges, rewards, competition, and achievements, creates a sense of enjoyment and achievement for users. This motivates them to actively participate, interact with the brand, and share their experiences with others.

One of the critical aspects of gamification is its viral nature. It encourages users to be socially active by incentivizing them to invite their friends and acquaintances to join the experience. This word-of-mouth marketing aspect can significantly amplify brand reach and awareness, as users become brand advocates and promoters.

Personalization of Content

One of the numerous aspects of a quality mobile application is content personalization.

The more the content satisfies the preferences and needs of the customer or user, the more likely they are to continue using the product or service.

This can be done creatively and with simple techniques like displaying the user’s name on the screen and in push notifications.

Also, to be in the race for a longer period of time it’s important for the app or the business to amend the proposed content to the location and needs of users or customers.

Two-Way Communication

Communication is the key to success.

Developers must seek user feedback on their apps.

It is very important that the developers must convey to the users that their feedback is vital for the improvement of the product or the service.

The other benefit of this technique is that the users or customers are unlikely to post negative reviews about the product or the service if the user has the option to contact the developer or the service provider directly and fix the issue.

Fewer Welcome Pages

Users should not have to swipe through 8-10 welcome app pages that go into great detail about how to use the app.

You not only increase the likelihood of users skipping it entirely, but you also risk overwhelming them with too much information in one go, further irritating and confusing consumers.

Create 3-5 pages with short and unambiguous copy that briefly describes the app’s core aspects, and benefits, and directs users to a registration page or straightforwardly to their first activity.

To keep users involved on every page, you could also use animated design patterns.

Use CTAs on the first welcome page

Take new subscribers through the phases of undertaking their first action after they sign up. Try encouraging new users to add their first social media profile, which is considered necessary to use the app. A progress bar at the bottom of the page to encourage new users to complete the process is also a smart tactic.

Remember, adding a social media profile is an essential step for the user to fully leverage the capabilities of your app and make the most of their experience. The progress bar will help users track their progress and provide a sense of accomplishment as they move forward. If you’re still in doubt then don’t worry! We’re here to support you throughout the process, so feel free to reach out if you need any assistance.

Always provide a skip button

When designing an onboarding stream for new users, it is crucial to prioritize their freedom to choose and provide options for opting out of specific segments. Users should have the flexibility to delete their existing account and start fresh, or to create a new account with a different email address if they already have one.

To achieve this, it is important to clearly explain the onboarding process, break it down into individual steps, and offer an explicit opt-out option for each step. Users should be able to easily skip any segment they prefer not to participate in while retaining any previously provided information. Additionally, allowing users to personalize their experience and ensuring persistent settings are key to delivering a tailored and seamless onboarding journey.

Clear instructions should be provided for account deletion, and a separate flow should be available for users who choose to create a new account. By implementing these measures, new users can have the freedom to opt out of specific onboarding segments, delete their accounts, or create new ones, enhancing their overall satisfaction and creating a more user-centric onboarding experience.

Desktop Onboarding

To maximize user engagement, it is crucial to give due attention to the desktop version of your app, alongside the mobile application. Many of your intended users rely on the desktop version for their daily tasks, making it essential to prioritize an onboarding session that introduces all the features and functionalities of the desktop app. By designing a detailed checklist to enhance the user experience, you can ensure that desktop users have a seamless and engaging experience.

First and foremost, focus on creating an intuitive user interface and navigation system for the desktop app. Optimize the layout for larger screens, providing clear and easily accessible menus, toolbars, and sidebars. Consistency in design elements will contribute to a cohesive experience across all sections of the app.

During the onboarding session, emphasize the unique features and functionalities of the desktop app. Educate users on how to leverage these capabilities effectively, streamlining their workflow and enhancing productivity. Highlight any additional tools and functionalities exclusive to the desktop version, creating value for users who choose this platform.

Introduction of the Progress Bar 

When it comes to welcoming and onboarding new users to an app, incorporating a progress bar or checklist can be a highly effective strategy. By visually highlighting their progression, whether it’s through welcome screens, in-app tutorials, or completing initial actions, users are encouraged to swipe through the various steps or accomplish tasks with a sense of guidance and accomplishment.

The presence of a progress bar or checklist serves as a visual representation of the user’s journey within the app. It provides a clear indication of where they are in the onboarding process or tutorial sequence, which helps them understand the overall structure and flow of the app’s features. This sense of structure and direction is particularly important for new users who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the app.

Moreover, a progress bar or checklist acts as a psychological motivator for users to continue engaging with the app. As they see their progress advancing and tasks being checked off, it creates a sense of achievement and progress. This positive reinforcement instills a boost of confidence in users, making them more likely to continue exploring the app and complete the necessary steps.

Offer In-App Customer Support

When onboarding new users, it is crucial to anticipate that they may have questions or encounter problems that require immediate assistance. To ensure a seamless user experience and prevent frustration, it is highly beneficial to provide a direct line of communication with your customer service team within your app itself. This can be achieved through in-app messaging, where users can easily reach out to your support team without having to leave the application.

In addition to the in-app messaging option, it is also valuable to include a prominent link to your comprehensive help center database. This database should be equipped with informative articles, FAQs, tutorials, and step-by-step guides to assist users in resolving common issues or understanding how to use various features of your app. These resources should be well-organized and easily searchable, allowing users to quickly find the information they need.

By offering in-app messaging and a robust help center, you empower users to seek assistance and find solutions without the need to navigate away from your app. This approach significantly reduces the likelihood of user frustration and encourages a positive user experience. It also demonstrates your commitment to customer support and ensures that users can easily access the help they need, ultimately improving user satisfaction and retention.

How to Increase App Retention? Follow these 5 tips.

Responsive Application

An application with hundreds of top functionalities but a non-responsive framework is of no use.

Your users will not give the app a third chance after waiting twice for the app to work properly (some won’t even consider a second chance)!

Thus, ensuring a responsive framework must be the very first step before taking into account any new change for deployment.

Ensure a proper listing on App Stores

Until the user recognizes and understands what your app is all about, it is nearly impossible to increase user rates. You need to spread the word.

Ensure a strong marketing strategy to list the facts and benefits of your app. Flaunt all the solutions your app will be offering to user problems. App store listing is important and you need to use every bit of it to appeal to downloads.

Making Use of the Right Opportunity

Our day starts and ends with apps like Instagram and Spotify.

And what makes them so addictive?

The reason is that they are so relatable to our daily routines and daily cravings! We cannot survive without good music and socializing. Thus, it is crucial to understand the right opportunity in the market and bug on it to increase user retention. Ensure proper insights into what users want and an addictive and easier solution to their problems.

Regular Updation

After a particular frame of time, apps become stagnant and boring for a user. Thus, you need to ensure regular updates of new features, alterations, and functionalities to retain users and keep them interested in the app.

User experience should be a Priority

If your app is not able to understand what users are liking and whatnot, user retention is not the case for you! Get insights into user behavior and then, plan and implement accordingly.

What is a Good Engagement Rate for the App?

A high level of interaction suggests that people are willing to read more, which implies more clicks on calls-to-action (CTAs) as well as a faster trip down the sales pipeline.

But, different types of businesses and industries quantify engagement differently. Hard metrics like daily active users, cost-per-acquisition, as well as ROI are fairly straightforward, whereas engagement is always dependent on the business model of the company.

High engagement through views or clicks may be beneficial for a news website, but not for an insurance app, where increased usage may indicate that a consumer is about to file claims.

As a result, you can’t just compare numbers because the average is affected by multiple variables. To determine what a good engagement rate is for you, compare your website to businesses operating similar apps, webpages, or platforms. You must also compare equivalent stages of the life cycle.

How do you measure User Engagement?

User engagement rate is measured through engagement rate which is an equation that calculates the level of interaction your subject matter receives in comparison to reach, competitors, or the sector as a whole. Engagement on social media can include things like comments, likes, shares, and mentions. Engagement rate equates to actual clicks, hours spent on your site, or downloads for other online platforms.

How can Antino help you in boosting your mobile app engagement?

The above-mentioned tips will help you to increase mobile app engagement, but in the end, developers must understand the customer experience, both within the app and as a whole. The primary focus for the app, from the first download to becoming regularly used, needs to be on what the customer or user is encountering or experiencing and what value the user or the customer can get from the app at each point in the customer journey.

Therefore, if you are looking for a reliable and robust partner to make your app worth downloading and increase user engagement then get in touch with us today. We are a top-notch mobile app development company and have already delivered 600+ digital products with over a million downloads. Get in touch with us to bring your business to the digital world.

FAQ’s

Why is mobile app engagement important?

The truth is that app engagement reflects the overall health of your business. If your audience is engaged, you have a strong customer community that can conduct purchases or clicks on adverts. Prioritizing app engagement is also advantageous because it has the potential to minimize acquisition costs and boost consumer lifetime value.

What is good engagement for an app?

Well, the engagement of an app is directly proportional to the type of industry your business is in. Quantitative criteria such as daily active users, cost-per-acquisition, and ROI are clearly visible, however, engagement is always reliant on the company’s revenue strategy and its competitors.

How to acquire users for your app?

To acquire users for your app, employ a multi-faceted approach including targeted UI/UX design, leveraging social media platforms, and optimizing app store visibility through robust techniques.

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AUTHOR
Peeyush Shrivastava
(AVP- Technology, Antino)
Peeyush is a seasoned software engineer with a notable history of developing high-end applications. His expertise spans across iOS design, iOS development, Objective-C, and Cocoa Touch.