Getting downloads is just the start in today’s tough app market. The actual challenge is keeping users engaged and getting them to return after they install the app.
A massive 80% of users stop using an application within the first 30 days, highlighting the importance of engagement for long-term success.
If companies want to retain their audience and ensure users stay active, they need to understand the challenges and adopt strategies that encourage long-term app usage.
In this article, we’ll share seven expert-backed strategies to raise app adoption, helping your app stay a valuable part of users’ daily lives.
Key Methods to Drive App Adoption
Here are the seven key methods to drive app adoption backed by professionals:
- Simplify Onboarding
The onboarding phase is the first impression your app makes. If the sign-up process is complicated or unclear, users may quickly abandon it. A simple and smooth onboarding process helps users see the value of your app right away and encourages them to stay engaged.
Actionable Tips:
- Keep the sign-up process short and straightforward.
- Provide a clear step-by-step guide to show the app’s main features.
- Introduce features slowly as users get used to the app, instead of overwhelming them at the beginning.
- Deliver Value Early
To keep users interested, they need to see the app’s value right away. If users ignore immediate benefits, they won’t stay long. Show them what they are missing by offering something valuable upfront, like a free trial, bonus features, or a discount.
Actionable Tips:
- Give users a taste of premium features to show them what they’re missing.
- Guide users directly to the app’s main features.
- Offer rewards, like discounts or extra points, for completing initial tasks.
- Leverage Push Notifications
Push notifications are not just reminders; they are chances to bring users back to the app. When they are personal and relevant, push notifications can effectively re-engage users without being annoying.
A recent study found that 65% of UK users who agree to receive push notifications are likely to return to an app within 30 days. This shows that push notifications are essential for keeping users engaged and encouraging them to return over time.
Actionable Tips:
- Use data to send targeted messages that matter to the user.
- Avoid overwhelming users with constant notifications; instead, focus on sending helpful reminders that don’t create clutter.
- Send alerts at times when users are most likely to interact.
- Build Trust and Transparency
Building trust with your users is essential for keeping them engaged. Being clear about how you use their data, your privacy rules, and your app’s goals can help users feel more trust and commitment. When users know their data is treated responsibly and their privacy is protected, they are more likely to continue using the app.
Actionable Tips:
- Inform users about the data you collect and how it is used.
- Make sure your app complies with privacy laws, such as the GDPR.
- Write your privacy policies clearly and concisely so that users can understand them easily.
- Use Storytelling to Connect Emotionally
In one NHS campaign, creative partners like White Space helped boost downloads of the HANDi App by 216% and drove a 4,331% surge in web traffic.
The agency explains, ‘App adoption is never just about downloads. People need a reason to return. The most successful campaigns connect technical performance with human stories, which is how you move from installs to real engagement.’
Storytelling is not just for advertisers, it can also improve user engagement. When users form an emotional connection with your application, they’re more likely to stay engaged. Sharing stories that reverberate with users, through personal experiences, customer success stories or powerful visuals, can make the app feel more human and relatable.
Actionable Tips:
- Share success stories, testimonials, or case studies that show how people use your app.
- Use language and visuals that resonate with your target audience’s values and lifestyle.
- Focus on explaining what your app does with clear and relatable messages.
- Regular Updates and Improvements
Use expectations change over time, and apps that don’t keep up can quickly become outdated. Regular updates show users that the app is actively being improved. Listening to user feedback and adding new features ensures the app stays useful.
Actionable Tips:
- Improve the app’s functionality, fix issues, and add new features based on user suggestions.
- Let users know when an update is available and highlight the improvements or new features.
- Ask users for feedback to make sure that your updates meet their needs.
- Foster a Community Around the App
Creating a sense of belonging can help users feel more connected to your app. You can build a community through social media groups, in-app discussions, or user forums. This encourages users to share their experiences, ask queries, and connect with others who have similar interests.
Actionable Tips:
- Set up a social media group or a messaging space in the app for users to talk to each other.
- Answer user questions, share tips, and create engaging content to keep the talks going.
- Encourage users to share their experiences and showcase their content in the app.
Conclusion
Getting people to use your app is more than just getting them to download it; it’s about creating a strong link that keeps them coming back. To achieve this, make onboarding easy, show users immediate benefits, and tell a compelling story.
Building a loyal community and being open about updates will help keep users engaged in the long run.
