Fun and Useful Features to Help Your App Stand Out
A good business app helps attract more customers, increases customer loyalty, and expands your brand's reach. An app is only as effective as its design, however, and many mistakes with user experience and app interfaces can limit its effectiveness. When creating your app, you'll want to include some features that make the app experience both fun and productive for your target audience.
Social Media Integration
Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for both businesses and individuals. You can connect with people from all over the world with the click of a button. Allowing users to share your app content on social media can help draw even more people to download it. It's a free marketing tool. Similar to a mobile game app that allows users to share when they've beaten a certain level, your app can also help users share on social media. Photo apps can allow for seamless Instagram sharing. Shopping apps can enable users to post their wishlists. Social media integration creates more conversations around your app. That's free publicity!
Rewards Programs
Everyone loves a good reward. While rewards programs are typically used by retail brands, any type of app can provide a reward system to keep users motivated to use it. Games can allow rewards by beating certain levels to unlock special collectables. Think of ways you can gamify or incentivize your app's content. Rewards don't need to cost you money; they just need to be fun to earn. You can even provide rewards for viewing ads, generating more revenue to improve the app.
Personalization
Just like apps, users come in all types of personalities and preferences. For example, some love dark mode themes, while others prefer light. There are many ways to personalize your app, from allowing users to choose the color of the layout to displaying weather data for any location nearby. This type of personalization can help the app feel more tailored to each user's needs. Consider your app's niche and research ways to make it feel more personal. A photo editing app can allow you to set a background based on a chosen photo. A shopping app can remember your nearest store location or size range. Personalized data is key to a seamless and smooth user experience.
Easy Sign-On
Forcing users to remember a login for every app is frustrating for many. If your app only uses a unique login page, it may deter some users from viewing your content. Consider allowing some content to be viewed as a guest to prevent frustration with login or account creation. Alternatively, make the sign-in process easier. Allow biometric or PIN code logins for a quick and painless sign-on. Single Sign-On through companies like Google or Apple also helps improve user experience and data security.
User Interaction
You want people to interact with your app. Interactivity is engaging, enriching, and makes people feel heard. Allow users to comment and provide feedback on the app's content. Encourage discussions or chats when applicable. Include forums or user feeds of uploaded content to improve reach. The more users can interact with an app, the more likely they are to use it.
One-Click Payments
If your app includes purchases, you don't want to make the experience frustrating. A purchase should be a simple process that requires minimal clicks. Integrating PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay is an excellent choice. Allowing users to safely and securely save payment methods or billing address information is another useful feature. One-click payments increase the likelihood of users completing the purchase due to their simplicity and convenience. If they're redirected outside the app or need to enter manual payment information each time, it can be a more frustrating and time-consuming process.
Search Tools
If your app contains a lot of information, feeds, or catalogs, you will want to ensure that users can easily find what they need. Integrate search tools into your app, including advanced searches whenever beneficial. Allow users to filter content freely, especially if the content isn't useful to all audiences who use the app. Make the search feature intuitive and easy to use.
Non-Intrusive Guidance
Not everyone is proficient with technology or familiar with every new app they download. Offering guidance to your target audience is a smart way to earn loyalty and engagement within your app. Helpful chatbots or app tour guides can make this a fun and intuitive learning experience, but not everyone wants to be automatically opted into tutorials. Allow beneficial content to be accessible but subtle. Don't place too many intrusive pop-ups or disruptions. Let the user know that help is available, but don't force it on them for the best experience for everyone.
Conclusion
For an app to be successful, it must be intuitive, engaging, and seamless. If users feel like the app is too slow, buggy, or time-consuming (in a bad way), you won't see much long-term activity. Keep users engaged with reward programs, personalization, and a helpful hand when needed. Include one-click payments and simple sign-on methods to create a seamless and efficient experience.