Pretty much every business owns an app now. It’s no surprise. Apps do wonders for brand visibility, fostering engagement and customer loyalty, and driving sales.
It’s clear customers have a preference on their shopping venues nowadays. In the UK alone, half of the shoppers prefer using the retailer’s app to make purchases. Most purchases tend to happen via apps rather than web browsers now, too.
Apps are convenient, speedy, personalised, and overall provide a satisfactory user experience. Not to mention, for businesses like you, it’s quite a versatile channel. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run, an app will benefit you.
But, seeing as you clicked on this article, we shall focus on the online competition industry, and why having an app will change your business for the better.
There are many wonderful things about apps (as you’ll soon learn), but we have to start somewhere. So, let’s begin with improved customer retention.
Where apps undoubtedly outcompete web browsers is push notifications. Of course, only send out push notifications if your app users have enabled them, but once they have, that’s when the player retaining truly begins.
Push notifications inform and remind players of upcoming prize draws, epic prizes up for grabs, special offers, or when a competition is about to close. You can send a push notification out related to just about anything — as long as it’s relevant, naturally.
Apps are like the most exclusive club in your city. They offer special rewards, in-app competitions (which enhance your players’ chances of winning), and a more seamless way of purchasing tickets. It’s just that cool.
Apps also allow competitions to be accessed and entered from anywhere — and easily, at that.
With an app, your players save time. They don’t have to type the URL into the web browser, and navigate through the site and checkout to enter your competition.
What’s more, your players can be out on the beach, in a restaurant, or in a bus, and they can still enter. It only takes a few taps, and — boom — they’re in.
Apps aren’t so easily forgotten about. They’re always on the users’ screens, reminding them of your existence.
In the UK, people unlock their phones at least 80 times a day. That’s at least 80 chances to remind your players of your epic comps. If you’re on their homescreen, they’ll check out what you have on offer. How could they not?
That’s just one of the many reasons why apps are a great and effective way to engage your players. Don’t forget: if you run in-app competitions and other app exclusives, and send out push notifications, you’ll see a boost in engagement, but also loyalty. Win-win.
Let’s dive deeper into push notifications for a moment. They are game-changers in themselves, and one of the most effective marketing tools at your fingertips. They’re a direct and personalised way of reaching your players — there’s no need to rely on them opening their inbox or the social media algorithm working in your favour. And, when well-timed and well-written, push notifications can be incredibly high-converting, too.
You may have already figured that having an app in general offers the possibility of higher conversions. An app gives your players all sorts of benefits and exclusive offers — like discounts, which they can also get by downloading your app! It gets them through the door, and then they’ll never want to leave.
If your app is consistent with your website and brand guidelines, then your business will easily stay top-of-mind. Your players will know who you are, which will build loyalty and trust, and drive sales as a result.
More visibility. More repeat customers. More conversions. It’s that simple.
Apps also ease the communication process between you and your players. When your players have one primary place to access all the information they need, they’ll be happier, because they’ll have saved loads of time and know where they need to go for information.
That’s not to say other channels, such as social media, email, or your website, aren’t important, because they are. But having one main place for all communication is important. It helps create long-lasting connections with your players, which, in turn, fosters brand loyalty.
Zap apps are the best for competition businesses like yours. Why? Let us tell you:
If the answer is yes (which we hope it is, if you want to grow your competition business), get in touch with us today. A member of our expert team will be with you shortly, and, before you know it, you’ll have an amazing-looking, high-converting app to show off!
