1. IS APPS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO?!

On the App store and Google Play, there are millions of apps that we can download and use for different needs and purposes. That we use some of these apps daily is very common, However it is only a few numbers of apps stay on our "Home screen". With so many options, it is incredibly important that the app offers a unique feel that makes it superior to other options.

But the problem is not just about the app being unique, it must also create the right incentives for the user.

Lets give you an example

You walk into a store, picked up what you need and go to the register. Before paying the cashier offer you a 20 % discount on your first purchase if you sign up for their newsletter or download their app?

Is this a great incentive?

A discount is great but when it comes to downloading an app to a store you only visit once or twice per month, is it really worth it?

It is possible that the person behind this campaign thought it's a brilliant idea to get people to download their app.

But because the market is so overflooded with apps, our phones have become full, which means that many reject the offer for precisely that reason: No one wants to download yet another app!!

To avoid the problem, the key is to use the RIGHT type of incentive to attract customers.

The restaurant app Pinchos is a good example to create the right incentives for their customers. They increases the incentives to download their app by offering free dishes after the user has ordered for a specific amount at the restaurant.

Ex.

If you eat for 50 $ you get 1 dish for free for your next visit. If you order for 100 $ you get 3 dishes for free for your next visit.

In addition, Pinchos has also use a "LOCK-IN" model. The concept is simple: If you want to eat there, you MUST download their app, ie. if you do not order via a friend app of course ;)

However, if you like their food and visit every now and then, using an app to order food might not be such an bad idea, especially when you also can get free dishes in exchange, the choice is easy. You download the app. IT'S A NO-BRAINER!

This is a simple trick that has made Pinchos very successful. Through their app, they generate more and returning customers to the restaurant, in addition, customers are satisfied, so it is a Win-Win for everyone!

In summary: To engage your users, an app may be the way to go. However, the market is starting to get saturated and users feel that apps have become redundant. Therefore, it is important to have the right motivator / incentive for why they should use your app.

In the next section, we take a closer look at whether apps really are the right way to go and what options are available.