Mission complete: you’ve successfully converted your website into a native mobile app. If you did it with a no-code builder like WebViewGold, no development was needed, and your new app was easily approved by the stores.
Here comes the challenge: get in front of users in a highly competitive environment.
Your first app users will most likely be your website users. For example, if you send newsletters to remind customers about your products, you can use them to invite users to download your app.
Your mobile app, unlike a website, needs to stay on users' phones so they can buy your products, read your news, and so on. But, just like website visitors, app users need to develop the habit of checking in with your app.
In this post, we’ll share a few steps to help you retain your first users, get your first purchases, and attract new customers.
First impression
With a whopping 45% uninstall rate for mobile apps, the onboarding process becomes paramount. To reduce the uninstall rate, we recommend using in-app messages to show users around and showcase your app’s values.
For example, Moovit, a public transport app, can only be valuable to users if they allow access to their location. During the first session, the app onboards users, showcasing its values and convincing them to give access to their location.
Learn more about onboarding best practices in our dedicated guide.
Tip: You can use and customize ready-made templates to create welcome in-app messages in Pushwoosh.
Bring them back
Don’t expect users to remember about your app instantly—they need time to form a usage habit. In addition, you need their permission to be able to send them reminders as push notifications.
Tip: Both Android and iOS only allow push notifications with the user’s permission. Give users a reason to want to receive notifications from you. It will also help to form a habit.
For example, users of the Sleep Tracker app learn to expect daily reminders to go to bed at the same time, which helps them form good sleep habits (and the habit of opening the app). Discover best practices to increase push opt-in.
Another way to develop the app usage habit is to customize notifications based on user preferences. For example, SPORT1, a Pushwoosh customer, uses customization based on the user's favorite sport and team to ensure that they only receive relevant notifications. Read more about their effective practices.
Find reasons to be in touch
Think of something valuable you can offer your users: unique content, a discount, a new exclusive offer—anything they’d like to click on.
Here are some types of messages to start with:
News broadcast
Examples: Football match results, a new travel destination, a new delivery area, etc.
Channels: Push notifications + email.
In Pushwoosh, you can A/B test the two channels to measure their effectiveness or follow up with users who didn’t open an email by sending a push notification.
Offers and discounts
Examples: Low transactional fees, fitness course discounts, free coins for new players, etc.
Channels: Push notifications + email; or in-app messages + email.
With Pushwoosh, you can save money by reaching out to users only via channels they actually use. If they didn’t allow push notifications, then show them an in-app as soon as they open your app.
Tip: Target the right audience with better personalization. Jumpstart with Pushwoosh’s default triggers—no technical knowledge is required.
Reminders
Examples: Time for a new language lesson, time to sleep, fitness appointment, etc.
Channels: Push notifications + email.
In Pushwoosh, you can create liquid message templates that will insert user data, such as a doctor's name, a course title, and so on, automatically. You can also set up a time to get your reminder delivered on time, for example, 1 day before the appointment or 1 hour before the lesson begins.
Live activities
Examples: Your taxi or delivery is N minutes away.
iOS Live Activities allow you to display your app's most current data right on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island of an iPhone or iPad. Set up your Live Activities in Pushwoosh.
Don’t overwork it
As long as your app is on your users’ phones, you can remind them about it. But don’t overuse the communication: too frequent notifications annoy users and lead to uninstalls.
To find your golden medium, experiment with how often you send notifications and how often users click on them.
For example, imagine you are experimenting on the ideal frequency for push notifications in e-commerce. If your users order 3 to 5 purchases per month, send them 2–3 promos per month, making sure your offers are from their favorite category.
Use existing users to attract new ones
A higher rating in the app stores is more likely to encourage new users to give it a try. So, why not ask your existing users to rate your app? Choose the moment when they are the most satisfied—say, when they’ve just purchased something—and ask them to share their feedback.
Use the power of personalization
Personalize the user experience by only recommending beauty products to users who have previously searched for them. Or promptly suggest a hotel in a location the user has bought a ticket to.
Examples
- Automated abandoned cart alerts: Set up automated push notifications to remind users about items left in their cart and incentivize them to complete their purchase by offering a discount or free shipping.
- Personalized recommendations: Send personalized product recommendations based on users' past purchases or browsing history. Include the specific product names or images of products.
- Customized Content: Curate personalized content based on users' favorite sports teams, players, or news topics. Tailor the content to match their interests and preferences for a more engaging experience.
More ideas on personalization >>
The process of reengaging with users might seem overwhelming at first. That’s why we encourage you to start small:
- Welcome Message: Send a personalized welcome message to users as soon as they install the app. Make them feel valued and appreciated for choosing your app.
- Onboarding Tips: Provide users with helpful onboarding tips through push notifications to guide them through the app's features and functionalities. Keep it concise and easy to follow.
- Offers: Offer exclusive discounts or promotions to incentivize users to engage with your app from the start. Highlight the value they'll receive by being part of your app community.
- Feedback Requests: Ask for feedback on the app experience to show that you value their opinion and are committed to improving the app based on their input. Keep the feedback process simple and easy to complete.
