Attracting new app users is a difficult task for developers, with many offering incentives or spending a lot of time and money on marketing campaigns. However, all of this work will be pointless if they are unable to retain customers who download and sign up for games and services.
Customer retention is more cost-effective than trying to attract new customers, and developers can’t rely on simply having a good product. Modern consumers using mobile technology have more choices than ever before, and implementing retention strategies is something that many operators have to do to stay relevant.
Freemium Models
Freemium apps are digital products that offer consumers a free and paid version of their product. Free versions are typically limited, but provide enough of the gameplay or services to keep customers interested, with a hope that they will see the value of the product and convert to paying customers.
Premium versions of apps can offer incentives that improve the user experience, including access to additional content or tools to improve or speed up gameplay. Sweepstakes casinos are an example of freemium apps, where customers can enjoy playing their favorite casino games for free.
Sweepstakes casinos use in-game currencies for players to bet with for fun. These standard coins can be replenished automatically, or players can build up their coins through winning. Customers can also play using sweepstakes coins, which can then be exchanged for prizes. Sweepstakes coins can be earned as rewards for carrying out tasks or come as a bonus when buying regular coin bundles.
Streamlined Onboarding Process
One of the best ways to retain customers is by offering streamlined onboarding processes, because nobody wants to go through countless sign-up forms that take ages to process. Many games and services will offer simple sign-ups via existing accounts.
Most modern consumers will already be signed into email, social media, or web browsing accounts, so selecting fast sign-ups through a Google or Facebook account is much easier than going through the usual process.
AI Personalization
Personalizing interactions based on customer preferences improves the user experience and makes them feel more valued. This used to be a time-intensive process, but AI technology can now be implemented to gather and analyze vast swathes of data to complete this task instantly.
Personalized marketing and promotions based on previous user actions are much more likely to elicit responses than cold marketing campaigns.
Use Push Notifications
Push notifications are a great way to notify users of an update or message. This keeps them engaged with the app even when they aren’t on it and increases loyalty. Time-sensitive promotions can be sent directly to the customer, ensuring they receive messages in a timely fashion.
Interaction Incentives
Daily, weekly, and monthly bonuses based on log-ins and interactions are an excellent way to boost engagement and retain customers. Short-term bonuses boost regular activity, while customers who are on their way to achieving a longer-term bonus are less likely to leave.
Apps that promote streaks, where a customer logs in every day and completes an action, help to transform their mindset, and logging in becomes part of a daily routine. This uses the same
logic as loyalty programs, where customers earn points that can be redeemed against future purchases. Players with existing points won’t want to leave them unused, so they are more likely to continue with the app.
Implement Micro-Feedback
Using AI to see how customers interact with apps can be a great way to identify their preferences. However, if they choose not to play a game or use a specific service, there is very little information that can be gathered from that.
Implementing micro-feedback requests that don’t slow game mechanics or get in the way can help developers get an idea of what players don’t like and make changes before it’s too late.
Workplaces conduct leaving interviews to find out why an employee has chosen to further their career elsewhere, but they will still face the expense of having to fill the role and train the new worker. Continual feedback might have allowed them to make changes to retain that staff member, and the same is true of apps. Making changes before it’s too late should be a priority for developers looking to improve their service.
Limit Access to Create Hooks
Finding the sweet spot for how much access users can have, but leaving them wanting more, is important for apps that want to increase engagement and retention. Time-limited access is a great way of doing this, as users won’t feel locked out and will be incentivized to return.
Conclusion
Mobile technology has put consumers in the driving seat by providing them with endless choices. This can make retention more difficult for app developers, but there are tried and tested techniques, like the ones above, that keep customers coming back for more.