5 Ways to Increase App Retention
21 september 2024
5 mins. read
In today’s competitive mobile app landscape, retaining users is as crucial as acquiring them. The longer users stay engaged with your app, the more likely they are to provide value—whether through in-app purchases, ad views, or simply enhancing your app's credibility through active usage. So how do you do that? Read on to learn the creative ways using which you can increase app retention.
Here are five effective ways to increase app retention by enhancing the user experience in the best possible way.
1. Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Videos
One powerful way to boost app retention is by using Picture-in-Picture (PiP) videos, especially for media-heavy apps.
- PiP allows users to minimize videos into a small, movable window while continuing to navigate the app.
- It keeps users engaged with content without forcing them to stop what they’re doing. For example, if a user is watching a tutorial or a video stream, they can keep it playing in the background while checking notifications, browsing different sections of the app, or even switching to another app.
- This non-intrusive, multi-tasking feature ensures that users are continuously engaged, making it less likely they’ll abandon the app.
Using PiP videos, you keep media consumption seamless, reduce drop-off points, and give users more flexibility in how they interact with your app, making them more likely to return regularly.
2. Coach Marks
Coach marks are subtle onboarding tools that guide users through your app's key features. These are interactive visual hints or pointers that pop up the first time a user opens the app or visits a new feature. These marks explain how certain elements work and provide tips on how to navigate the interface.
When implemented effectively, these are the following ways they can help generate customer retention:
- Coach marks can significantly reduce the learning curve for new users, making them feel more comfortable and competent using your app.
- A well-designed coach mark experience keeps users from feeling overwhelmed by too much information at once.
- With coach marks users understand how to use the app better, thus making them more likely to stay engaged and return.
3. Floaters
Floaters are another retention-enhancing tool. These are small, persistent buttons or icons that hover on the screen and provide quick access to key features or shortcuts. For instance, a floater could direct users to customer support, FAQs, or even special promotions.
Floaters serve as constant, yet unobtrusive reminders of important app elements, ensuring that users don’t miss out on useful tools. When users know help or key functions are just a tap away, they feel more confident using your app. AppStorys can help you create engaging floaters for your platform, thereby increasing the customer’s likelihood of sticking around.
4. In-App Stories
Inspired by the popularity of social media stories, integrating in-app stories is an increasingly effective way to keep users engaged. How do they help?
- These stories can provide users with updates, offers, or new feature introductions.
- The visual and temporary nature of stories creates a sense of urgency, which can prompt users to take action immediately—whether it's a special discount or a limited-time feature.
- In-app stories help maintain ongoing interaction with users by delivering fresh and engaging content in a familiar, digestible format.
- These timely, visually appealing stories provide users with regular updates and reasons to revisit your app, leading to improved retention.
5. Banners
Banners are another effective retention tool that can be used to highlight important updates, promotions, or new features within the app. Unlike more intrusive forms of advertising or notifications, banners are typically designed to blend in with the app’s interface. They appear in specific sections of the app, often at the top or bottom of the screen, and can be dismissed easily by the user.
By using banners, you can notify users of app changes or exclusive offers without interrupting their experience. Well-placed, informative banners help keep users in the loop and engaged without overwhelming them with pop-ups or push notifications.
So overall, implementing subtle, yet effective features like Picture-in-Picture videos, coach marks, floaters, in-app stories, and banners helps in creating a more engaging, seamless, and user-friendly platform for your customers. For more details on these services, reach out to the AppStorys team to help you boost your app’s retention rates over time.
