Apr 17, 2024
What is user stickiness and how to calculate it
People spend 4 hours per day using various apps on their phones. Don't you want your app to be one of those? If you answered yes, you'll want to look into user stickiness.
And if that sounds like a foreign word, there's even more reason to keep reading. User stickiness is one of the most important aspects of app usage because it can indicate your app's performance and help you build long-term success. Today's discussion will cover the definition, importance, calculation, and impact of user stickiness.
What is user stickiness?
User stickiness is the degree to which users interact with an app or digital platform over time. It assesses the frequency and depth of user interactions, indicating how effectively an app retains and engages its users. What does it mean if your app is sticky?
A sticky app drives users to:
To improve your app experience, try returning frequently, spending more time with it, and consistently engaging with its features or content.
Now, onto the real question. Why is user stickiness important, and should you monitor it?
Importance of user stickiness for your app marketing
In addition to other factors, user stickiness is crucial to the effectiveness of app marketing tactics. According to these three main arguments, user stickiness matters:
Boosts the growth of apps
Because it supports efforts to attract and retain customers, user stickiness has a direct bearing on app growth. Positive word-of-mouth recommendations and spontaneous sharing by current users are two ways that a sticky app draws in new users.
Users that are happy and involved with the app are more likely to tell others about it, which increases the number of downloads and installations. Furthermore, user stickiness maximizes user lifetime value, lowers churn rates, and keeps current users around over time.
Increases interaction with users
Because it measures how frequently and deeply users interact with the app, user stickiness and user engagement are closely related. An engaging user experience created by a sticky app encourages users to return frequently to interact with its features, community, and content. More time spent using the app, exploring its features, and interacting with other users are indicators of engaged users, who are also more satisfied and devoted.
Cultivates a devoted user base
Users of sticky apps feel more committed to the app and its community, which fosters a sense of loyalty and attachment. Loyal users are more likely to stick with the app, recommend it to others, and offer insightful customer feedback and suggestions for enhancements.
Furthermore, a devoted user base creates recurring revenue through in-app purchases, subscriptions, or advertising, which forms the basis for long-term growth and profitability.
User retention versus stickiness
Despite their similarities, user stickiness and retention gauge distinct facets of user behavior. User stickiness measures the degree of continuous user engagement by tracking how frequently users interact with a platform or app over time.