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Your company has just created a new shopping app, or you want to increase sales for your existing one. The app may have an amazing user interface and easy navigation, but what’s the point if no one knows?
These days, new shoppers are spoilt for choice, with millions of shopping apps available. However, what sets a successful shopping app apart is its ability to acquire and retain users.
You need to focus on the strategic and intentional process of getting users to download, engage, and continue using your app. But don’t worry, there’s good news.
With the right tactics and strategies, you can reach your target audience and increase user acquisition and retention for your shopping app.
Let’s explore 9 effective ways to make your shopping app gain traction in the competitive market. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be on your way to driving more downloads and keeping users engaged with your app.
With the market saturated with shopping apps, a strong user acquisition strategy is essential for the success and growth of your app.
Mobile usage and e-commerce have changed users’ behaviors and spending habits. There were 268 million online shoppers in the USA alone in 2022, which is only growing.
The convenience and ease of shopping through a mobile app have made it the preferred choice for many consumers. You don’t have to worry about crowded malls, long lines, or limited store hours. A few taps on your phone, and voila – your purchase is on its way.
People spend more time on their phones than ever and use apps for various purposes, including online shopping. They expect the process to be quick, seamless, and enjoyable. If your app can meet these expectations, you have a prime opportunity for growth.
Payment methods are now easier and more secure, making online shopping accessible to a broader audience. With the increasing use of mobile wallets and digital payments, users can make purchases with just a few clicks. This ease of payment has further increased the usage of shopping apps.
With so many shopping apps on the market, shoppers need a reason to choose yours over the rest. From established retail giants to new startups, shopping apps are highly competitive.
With 2,938,051 Android apps on the Google Play Store and 1,928,363 on Apple’s App Store, how can your app stand out and attract users? A strong user acquisition strategy is the key. Your app must be visible and attractive enough for people to choose it over others.
Users who abandon your app after one use are likely to download a competitor app instead. So, even if you get users to download your app, they may not stick around without effective strategies.
Effective user acquisition strategies lead to increased brand awareness and customer loyalty. When users enjoy their experience with your app, they’re more likely to continue using it and recommend it to others. This can result in a snowball effect as satisfied customers become loyal advocates for your app.
By implementing successful user acquisition strategies, you can attract high-value users who are more likely to make repeat purchases and engage with your app regularly. These loyal customers contribute to your app’s success and can bring in new customers through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Apart from traditional marketing methods, there are also several modern and innovative ways to acquire users for your shopping app. Let’s explore 9 effective strategies to make your app stand out and attract potential users.
What better way to reach a large audience than through social media? With 62.6% of the world’s population using social media, it’s a powerful tool for user acquisition.
But what platforms should you focus on? It depends on your target audience and the nature of your app. Facebook and Instagram are popular paid social media advertising choices for shopping apps.
Depending on your audience demographics and budget, you can utilize platforms like Twitter, Pinterest, and Snapchat.
Effective social media user acquisition strategies are sponsored posts and influencer collaborations. With sponsored posts, you can target specific audiences and increase brand awareness. Influencer collaborations, on the other hand, can help you reach a highly engaged audience interested in your niche.
Paid social ads are a perfect way to increase your app’s visibility. As users scroll through their feeds, they’ll come across your sponsored posts and be enticed to check out your app. Make sure to utilize high-quality visuals and compelling call-to-actions in your ads. The more attractive and targeted your ads, the better your chances of acquiring users.
Like social media, search engines are a popular way for users to discover new apps. 65% of app downloads come from app store searches.
Paid search ads at the top of app store search results allow you to reach users actively searching for apps like yours. The key to success is using relevant keywords that accurately describe your app and appeal to potential users.
A well-optimized search ad can increase your app’s visibility and attract high-intent users. Monitor your ad performance and adjust keywords accordingly for maximum effectiveness.
Google, the most popular search engine, offers Google Ads for app promotion. If you’re targeting iOS users, Apple Search Ads is also a great option. Both platforms offer targeting options to reach your desired audience and maximize your ad’s impact.
The context of the ad is also important—ensure it accurately describes your app and its features—the more relevant your ad is, the higher the chances of attracting potential users. The creatives, such as app icons and screenshots, should also be visually appealing and showcase your app’s best features.
VenziMedia, a fully managed DSP (Demand Side Platform), has premium access to the top ad exchanges and will drive high-quality traffic to your app.
Connected TV (CTV) advertising is a new and effective way to reach potential users. CTV shows ads on internet-connected television devices such as smart TVs, streaming devices (e.g., Roku), and gaming consoles.
CTV ads offer precise targeting options to reach specific demographics, making them ideal for shopping apps with a particular target audience. For example, if your app caters to young mothers, you can target CTV ads to run during specific TV shows popular with that demographic.
CTV ads can’t be skipped like traditional TV commercials and have a higher video completion rate than other forms of digital advertising. With the rise of cord-cutters and streaming services, CTV advertising is a great way to reach potential users.
You can even utilize CTV retargeting, showing ads to users who have previously visited your app but did not take any action. CTV ads’ brand recall and impact are much higher than traditional TV ads, making it a valuable user acquisition strategy for shopping apps.
To make the most out of your CTV ads, have high-quality video creatives that accurately represent your app and its benefits.
Influencer marketing has quickly become one of the most effective ways to reach a targeted audience. By collaborating with relevant influencers, you can tap into their engaged followers and promote your app to potential users interested in your niche.
Find influencers who align with your brand and have an active following in your target demographic. These influencers can create sponsored posts or reviews showcasing your app’s features and benefits, influencing their followers to check out your app.
This form of user acquisition is highly effective as it comes from a trusted source (the influencer) and feels more authentic than traditional advertising. Make sure to track the performance of each collaboration to see which influencers drive the most user acquisition for your app.
With the rise of micro-influencers (influencers with smaller but highly engaged followings), influencer marketing has become more accessible and cost-effective for brands of all sizes.
You can also utilize influencer marketing on social media platforms like Instagram, where influencers have a strong presence and can reach a broad audience. Like sponsored posts, collaborate with influencers who align with your brand and can effectively promote your app to their followers.
Word-of-mouth marketing has always been a powerful tool for driving growth. In the digital age, in-app referral programs have become popular to encourage users to spread the word about your app.
In-app referral programs incentivize existing users who refer their friends and family to download and use your app. When they do, the referrer and the referred user receive a reward, creating a win-win situation.
This form of user acquisition brings in new users and fosters loyalty among existing users. By offering incentives, you can motivate your current users to become brand advocates and help promote your app to their networks.
Track and analyze your referral program’s performance to see which incentives drive the most referrals and adjust accordingly for maximum effectiveness. One great way to incentivize referrals is by offering a discount or free trial for the referred user’s first purchase within the app.
A challenge or contest can also be an effective way to encourage referrals. For example, you can offer a prize for the user who refers the most people within a certain time frame. This creates a sense of urgency and competition, further motivating users to refer others.
The key to a successful in-app referral program is offering relevant, appealing incentives and making it easy for users to refer their friends. With the right strategy, you can turn your existing user base into a powerful marketing tool for attracting new users to your app.
Retaining existing users is just as important as acquiring new ones. It’s often more cost-effective to focus on retaining and engaging your current users than constantly trying to acquire new ones.
One way to incentivize your users for loyalty and retention is through a rewards program within the app. Offer points or discounts for completing certain actions within the app, such as making a purchase, leaving a review, or referring friends.
You can also offer special perks or privileges to loyal users, such as early access to new features or exclusive discounts. This encourages users to continue using your app and creates a sense of exclusivity and value for being a loyal user.
The key to a successful loyalty program is offering meaningful incentives that align with your app’s purpose and target audience. With the right program in place, you can increase user retention, foster loyalty, and drive long-term growth for your app.
Collaborating with other businesses that align with your brand can be a powerful way to reach new audiences and drive user acquisition.
For shopping apps, this could mean partnering with e-commerce brands or retailers. By cross-promoting each other’s products or services, you can reach each other’s customer bases and potentially convert them into users for your app.
Collaborations can take many forms, such as co-branded campaigns or joint social media promotions. To ensure a successful partnership, choose businesses with similar target audiences and values.
You can expand your reach and attract new users to your app by leveraging each other’s customer base and brand credibility. These collaborations can also lead to long-term partnerships and mutually beneficial relationships for both businesses.
Lastly, offering limited-time deals and discounts can be a powerful way to attract new users to your shopping app. The sense of urgency created by a time-sensitive offer can motivate potential users to download and try your app.
Consider offering exclusive discounts or promotions for first-time users or one-day-only flash sales. To reach a wider audience, you can also advertise these deals through social media or influencer collaborations.
Limited-time offers incentivize new user acquisition and create buzz and excitement around your app. This can lead to word-of-mouth marketing and attract new users eager to take advantage of your deals.
The content of your app’s store listing can heavily influence a user’s decision to download and try your app. To attract new users, ensure your app’s title, description, screenshots, and keywords are optimized for search and accurately reflect your app’s purpose and features.
App Store Optimization (ASO) is the process of optimizing your app’s store listing to improve its visibility and ranking in app stores. By utilizing ASO techniques, you can increase your app’s discoverability and attract more users to download it.
Some ASO strategies include conducting keyword research, optimizing your app’s icons and screenshots, and regularly updating your app’s description with relevant keywords and information.
By optimizing your app store listing, you can increase your chances of appearing in relevant search results and attracting new users to try your app.
Another way to drive user acquisition for your app is by partnering with an advertising company. An experienced and reputable advertising partner can provide valuable insights, expertise, and resources to help optimize your UA strategy.
VenziMedia is one such full-managed programmatic DSP offering UA mobile app services. With VenziMedia’s expertise in the mobile app industry, we can help you target and reach your desired audience.
The process begins with understanding your app’s target audience and goals. Our team will then use our advanced targeting capabilities, data-driven insights, and optimization techniques to deliver your ad to the most relevant users.
Additionally, VenziMedia offers real-time reporting and analysis of your ad performance, allowing you to track the effectiveness of your UA strategy and make any necessary adjustments.
By partnering with us, you can save time and resources while effectively reaching new users for your app.
