In 2016, several studies highlighted that mobile users spend over 80% of their digital media time in just five apps.  But the list of most downloaded apps for 2017 released by Google includes only lesser-known apps and games. Hence, each new mobile app has equal chance to appear in the list of most downloaded apps for 2018. The mobile app developers must explore ways to make the app addictive to accomplish more download and keep users engaged. To make the mobile app addictive, they must test it under real user conditions. App Developers also need to focus on a number of factors while planning, designing and developing the mobile app to make it addictive. Here are 7 elements that make a mobile app addictive and outstanding.

Dear App Developers: Here Are 7 Elements That Make a Mobile App Addictive

1) Simple and Intuitive User Interface

You must remember that the mobile app will be used by users of different age groups and abilities. Likewise, the users will access the mobile app in a variety of environments. To make the app addictive, you need to ensure that a user can access it regardless of his age, ability, and environment. The user interface of the app must be simple and intuitive enough to meet the needs and expectations of each user without requiring them to put extra time and effort. While developing and testing the mobile app, you must focus on performing specific tasks or delivering relevant information to each user without any hassle or delay.

2) Multitasking

Most mobile devices and platforms nowadays allow users to perform multiple tasks efficiently and switch from one task to another seamlessly. Likewise, both iOS and Android allow users to run multiple apps at a time. Your mobile app must facilitate and speed up multitasking to become addictive. You must remember that users will access the app under varying conditions. But they will abandon the app if it requires additional or constant attention. While developing the app, you must check how it responds to user commands instantaneously. Also, you need to ensure that a user can access and use the app smoothly while accessing other apps or performing multiple tasks.

3) Control and Customization

Each user expects the mobile app to support optimal freedom and autonomy. They love mobile apps that can be customized and controlled fully. You can easily make the mobile app addictive by providing users with a wide range of customization and personalization options. These options will enable the user to interact with the app more personally and control the experience fully. However, it is also important to persuade users to come back to the app regularly by implementing the psychological effect – loss aversion. The users will put extra time and effort to complete a pending task or recover some lost resources.

4) Push Notifications

You can easily make the mobile app addictive by facilitating seamless interaction between the user and app. You can keep the users engaged by persuading them to take a specific action. The app can persuade the users to take a specific action or perform a specific task in a number of ways. But many successful mobile apps interact with users by implementing push notification services. While designing the app, you must explore ways to leverage push notification without affecting user experience. It is always important to send the push notifications at the most appropriate time and persuade the users to take an action which is both relevant and valuable.

5) Fresh In-App Content

Most users nowadays rely on mobile apps to collect information and perform research. The mobile app can easily engage users by delivering updated and relevant information. However, it is also important for the app to provide the information and data in a creative and appealing way. To make the app addictive, you must display fresh and relevant in-app content to the user each time he accesses the app. When a user sees fresh in-app content each time he accesses the app, he will revisit the app frequently. You can even use the in-app content as a robust marketing tool to promote your products and drive sales.

6) Gamification

Many users spend more digital media time on mobile games than mobile apps. You can easily make the app addictive by incorporating gamification. Like games, the app can seduce, engage, and retain users by giving rewards. For instance, you can consider rewarding badges to a user each time he completes a specific action or accomplishes a specific target. A user will revisit and use the app regularly to earn new badges. Many popular fitness mobile apps reengage users and promote user loyalty by rewarding badges each time a user accomplishes a preset fitness goal or exercise consecutively for several days.

7) Analytics

You cannot make a mobile app addictive without updating it regularly. The app must deliver out-of-box features and fresh content on a regular basis to boost user engagement. However, you must update the app according to the needs and expectations of end users. The analytics tools make it easier for you to track user activities and understand user behavior. You should leverage the power of web analytics to identify the specific pages where most users are leaving the app. The information will help you to prevent user abandonment by changing the specific pages. You can further update the app effectively by monitoring and analyzing user data regularly.

However, the elements that make a mobile app addictive differ from one mobile app to another. You have to customize the mobile app development strategy to make the app deliver outstanding user experience and engagement. Also, you need to assess similar mobile apps to decide the best way to make your mobile app competitive and superior. App developers also should check whether these important features are missing from their apps.