8 good ideas for improving app adoption | Appivo

8 Good Ideas for Improving App Adoption

March 21, 2023

The following list includes 8 good ideas for improving app adoption. Many projects make the mistake of ignoring the topic of app adoption, and after launching wonder where all the users are. The reality is that despite digitalizing a process with an app, possibly removing much manual work, anything new is different, different typically has a learning curve, and some users will be slower to adopt the app than others. 

1. Conduct user research

Conduct user research to better understand the needs and preferences of the target users. This will help ensure that the app meets their needs and is designed with their user experience in mind. This seems obvious but a surprising number of project teams assume that they know what their users want. There’s no reason to not talk with target users directly. 

2. Build a user-friendly app

Build an app that is user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to use. This will help users adopt the app quickly and easily. This is often easier said than done, as it requires considerably more effort to design user-friendly apps. User experience (UX) experts or consultants can help; or research UX best-practices online.

3. Provide training and support

Provide users with training and support to help them learn how to use the app effectively. This can include tutorials, videos, and documentation. Roll this information out before launching the app, remind users when the app launches, and ensure that users know where to go for support if they have questions or run into issues.

4. Get executive buy-in

Get buy-in from executives and managers to encourage adoption of the app. This can help drive adoption across the organization and ensure that the app is used effectively. This is critical to awareness and initial adoption, but after that the app will have to stand on its own to ensure continued use.

5. Make it available

Make the app available to all users, regardless of their location or device. This can include making the app available on web and mobile devices or ensuring that it is accessible from different locations. The fewer steps required to use the app (e.g., VPN) the more likely people are to use it.

6. Gamify the experience

Gamify the app experience by introducing game-like elements such as points, badges, or leaderboards. This can make using the app more engaging and encourage users to continue using it. Gamification is a proven technique that works especially well with even mildly competitive audiences. It’s no surprise that it works exceptionally well with sales teams. TechRepublic has a good article that covers how to use gamification to increase the adoption of your enterprise application.

7. Use social proof

Use social proof to encourage adoption of the app. This can include showcasing success stories or highlighting the benefits of using the app. It can also be beneficial to provide early access to a small group of influential users who can then evangelize on the app’s behalf and act as subject matter experts for a wider rollout.

8. Continuously improve the app

Continuously improve the app based on user feedback and analytics. This will help ensure that the app continues to meet the needs of the users and remains relevant over time. Be sure to give users a method to provide feedback, as they will tell you what they need in the next version.

By following these ideas, you can improve corporate app adoption and ensure that apps are used effectively by employees. 


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