The global app uninstallation rate stands at 28.88% within 30 days of download, claims Statista based on a study by AppsFlyer on 110 million installs across 1,000+ apps under 10 major categories as highlighted below.
In a mobile-first culture, it’s a must that you understand the critical factors that drive app uninstallation rate and take appropriate measures before it’s too late. Needless to say, it demands a collaborative approach of app developers and the app owners both.
Here are 7 factors that annoy people while using an app and make them delete it without giving a second thought:
- Cluttered User Interface
Users want apps for simplicity and quick access to stuff. Cluttered elements derail those expectations. Users face challenging at times to discover the information they want. If a tap or touch on your app takes them to a different section of the app, and they are compelled to make multiple attempts to tap the right element, it would only irritate them.
For example, if it’s not possible to arrange everything horizontally in a clutter-free manner. You can fix the problem by arranging the elements vertically as shown above.
The role of your UI-UX designers is quite critical to keep the user interface neat and clean. They should be well acquainted with the latest native User Interface guidelines applicable to mobile platforms like Android, iOS, etc.
2. Misleading or Vague Categorization
People love staying connected with their brands or stores no matter where they are. However, they are always in hurry and are impatient too. Hence, the app user-interface should clearly categorize the information, products or services to help users immediately find what they are looking for and get things done. In lack of simplified menu options, the user gets irritated and deletes the app.
3. Unexpected Loading time
No one wants to keep staring at the phone screen for a full minute before being able to access the app. According to dotcominfoway, your app should not take more than 4 seconds to get loaded. The loading speed is also affected by the Internet speed and the hardware configuration of the phone; however, keeping the app file size within 20 MB or lower and resorting to native app development resources and recommended practices you can improve the loading speed of your app and, eventually, the user experience.
4. Poor Performance
The idea behind segregating this from the above is that performance is a holistic thing from installation and registration to using the app. If an app doesn’t respond well or crashes frequently, runs slowly, and makes users struggle to do their tasks, it’s most likely to find its way to the trash. A survey by Compuware reveals alarming facts regarding app uninstallation.
5. Ignoring Personalization
Personalization has become a business differentiator. It’s not just they want custom clothing but also a custom mobile experience. So, let them see what they want and where they want in your app. To offer the right experience, you need to read their behavior and interest. There are a number of ways to do so from on-boarding to using the app to deciding to uninstall the app. Start your homework early, the moment they enter your app and decides to sign up. Ask for their interest areas, the type of newsletters or notifications they would want to receive, and social media links. But, keep things optional so as not to sound intrusive. AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based mobile analytics tools like Google Mobile Analytics, Mixpanel or Flurry can be of great help in personalizing the user experience.
6. Not Staying in Tune with Changes
Change is the only constant. Sounds a crèche term, but it rules the mobile user experience like anything. If you initially built your app for iOS 7 or 8, you can’t expect it to woo the users having devices running iOS 11 or iOS 12. Enhance the capability of your app using advanced native APIs like Siri Shortcuts, Core ML (Machine Learning) 2 framework, ARKit 2 (highly recommended if you want to leverage Augmented Reality), and many others. If yours is an eCommerce app, integrate Apple Pay or another payment gateway that helps users accomplish checkout in a quick and easy manner. Make sure that your app responds well to voice commands as voice-search is going to increase phenomenally in the coming days.
Recommended Reading: 6 Strategic Reasons iOS Has an Upper Hand in the US
7. Availability of Better Apps
Many of the times, this one factor dominates all and leads to the replacement of an app with a better option. Collectively, iOS App Store and Google Play are home to over 5.6 million apps. In this fierce app economy, when users are not constrained with alternatives, is an app development company or app owner you have to be on your toes to make sure that your app is next to none.
How to Beat the App Uninstallation Blues
Give an attention to the reviews and ratings you receive not only on the app distribution platform where your app is present but also across social media and community forums. Incorporating a review collecting feature is a good idea, provided it’s not an annoying one. The unbiased reviews help you to understand what’s good and what’s bad about the app. It also affects your future app downloads and installation. Apps with healthy reviews are shortlisted for App of the Day or other programs where the app distribution platform features your app, which amplifies your app prospects manifolds.
From branding to customer acquisition to customer service – a lot are at stakes with your app’s performance. Hence, make no delays in doing the right thing because if you don’t, your competitors are ready to seize the opportunity you have or could have.
phones with new digital modern computer– stock image
