If you are already having an app on application stores, you might have known by now, how hard it is to get people onboard. The challenge lies in getting your app noticed in the eyes of users. However, the game is not yet over. Your app should be competent enough, forcing users to go for an install. An app has less chances of survival, with 90% of them removed from the smartphone within a year of download.
Imagine, investing ample time and money behind the app, and at the end the only thing you get is “uninstall”. Frustrating, isn’t it? Now you know why majority of startups drastically fail, because they know what to do, but cannot figure out how to go during mobile application development stages. It is all about retaining your customers. ‘Retention’ is the name of the game. If your app is addictive enough, people will not mind coming back for it. How to make your app, a daily habit for people?
We identified four crucial elements, differentiating between a good app, and an addictive app. Let us find out.
1. Triggers
A trigger is an initiator of an action. They are the ones directing human brain to perform an action. Say for instance, when you reach the cashier counter in a super mall, your brain automatically receives a trigger to take out your wallet. When it is time to go to bed, or in case of waking up, your brain gets a trigger to brush your teeth.
Talking in terms of mobile app, there are two types of triggers associated with a mobile experience – internal and external. Internal triggers are something; developers have absolute no control. It is something that clicks users from within. As an example, whenever feeling bored or lonely, you tend to go on social media. This is an internal trigger, coming out from within.
External triggers are ones, wherein you score as a developer. They are the ones present within the app, directing users to take actions. For example, consider notifications, messages, emails, call to actions, ads, etc. as external triggers. If external triggers are effective enough to reach users at a right time in most efficient way, users will surely be encouraged to take an action.
2. Actions
An action is the second stage of process right after a trigger initiates. More actions mean more opportunities for users to perform something or the other. However, what is important to note here is, remove as many unnecessary steps between triggers and actions, as possible. Make the bridge between a trigger and an action as short as possible, so that users have smooth time accessing the app.
3. Virtual Rewards
Whether you are on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, or any other popular social networks, getting increase number of shares, likes, comments, follows, the next time you log in, is so rewarding that you are forced to come back again and again. It is not only physical awards that people strive for, getting virtual rewards is equally important nowadays, for experiencing a sense of belonging and approval. There are just too many ways to introduce virtual rewards, especially with “Selfie” trend setting in; it has become even more vital.
