5 tips for improving app engagement and increasing session times

The mobile app market is rapidly growing with forecasts indicating that it is set to hit $189 billion in total revenue by 2020. If you plan to make your app business opportunity a success, this means it’s vital that you know how to ensure your apps stay relevant. While download figures are an important metric to measure market share, monitoring user engagement and session statistics is also key to ensuring your creations convert consumers and retain users.

Here are a few great tips for improving both of these important metrics to expand your app business.

Use push notifications

If you’re struggling to increase engagement amongst your users, push notifications can help to generate more interest and increase the number of sessions your apps get. Statistics have shown that mobile users who opt for push notifications are retained twice as often. These commonly-used notifications allow you to inform, educate and entertain users. Use push notifications to make your users aware of new promotions or thank them for their engagement.

Let users personalise your app

Creating a personalised user experience is one of the most effective ways of increasing engagement and extending average session times. Give your users the option to create customised profiles or edit the interface and they are more likely to use your app for longer periods. This can also have a positive impact on your digital marketing strategy as users will be more likely to share their experience with fellow consumers.

Give incentives

Rewarding users for increased engagement can help to drastically improve user retention figures. There are many ways you can incentivise mobile users to download your app. Social media contests and prize draws are good examples of ways to generate buzz and convert more consumers. Incentives don’t always have to be costly. Consider instigating a loyalty scheme where regular users are rewarded with discounts or free memberships.

Make it competitive

Competition can be a powerful motivator for consumers and mobile users. Mobile games have illustrated just how beneficial for engagement it can be to pit users against each other in friendly competition. Even if you’re not developing a game, there are ways to implement elements of competition. For example, public leader boards could be used in fitness apps. Get creative and think of unique ways to increase competition.

Make it social

In the age of social media, everything is shared and distributed online. Mobile users love to interact with fellow consumers and update them on their latest achievements, discoveries and accolades. It’s vital that you are utilising this constant flow of information by adding a social aspect to your app that allows users to share their experience.