It is not easy to design and set up an app. It takes time and costs money. That’s why it is heartbreaking to see users abandon and forget your painstakingly devised offering.

This can be avoided if you follow the proper guidelines when developing the app, taking into account how complex today’s app users have become.

In this post, you will learn about the possible reasons why users are uninstalling your app so soon after they’ve downloaded it.

All apps have their flaws from time to time. However, there are some mistakes you simply cannot get away with.

You have to correct them if you wish to remain afloat.

Too Many Ads and Push Notifications

It’s not a bad idea to generate extra revenue by monetizing your app, but bear in mind that some users will abandon the app if it is cluttered with too many advertisements.

Some ads are even offensive to certain users.

If you must use them, ensure the ads are spread apart, then monitor how users react to them. Never prioritize ads revenue over user experience if you want your app to last.

Push notifications are another effective way to boost sales, but too many of them could turn off your app users.

How often you send push notifications should depend on the types of products or services you sell/offer.

For instance, you can’t be sending a push notification to a user each day, asking him to buy a smartphone.

The moment a user develops a negative association with your brand, he will likely avoid reinstalling the app even after you have fixed the problem.

You have to strike the right balance so that your notifications do not become bothersome.

Technical Flaws

Before launching or publishing your app to the market, test it extensively to ensure it is stable.

No user would hold on to an app that crashes each time they log in or try to purchase a product.

After launching the app, keep on monitoring it for signs of problems.

Also, read the user reviews from time to time so that you can fix any upcoming technical issue before it gets out of hand.

In short, keep a keen eye on the quality assurance department all the time to deal with the arising technical flaws.

Poor UX

User Experience (UX) is actually the starting point; it happens the very moment a customer downloads and installs your app then starts using it.

The customer wants to know if the app is exactly what they need. Is it going to serve its purpose to his standard?

This can entail user interface; some customers uninstall an app merely because the user interface seems complicated.

You need to continue analyzing your UX and adjust the app to meet the customers’ behaviors, needs, and standards.

Security and Privacy Concerns

Did you know that over 80% of mobile apps have unaddressed security/privacy concerns? Users care about their privacy, so they cannot afford to overlook your app’s security/privacy issues.

As recently as January 2021, WhatsApp had to clarify and postpone its previously announced privacy policy update after many users objected.

That’s how sensitive the security/privacy issues are.

Go out of your way to assure your app users that their privacy is secure.

Make sure the personal information they provide, communications, location, etc., are unavailable to third parties unless permitted.

On the other hand, an app shouldn’t access the user’s phone contacts, calendar information, location, etc., without permission explicitly given within the user agreement.

Your app shouldn’t breach the terms and conditions of the user agreement, or you’ll lose their trust in the long run.

If they think you’re not trustworthy, users will start abandoning your app.

Your app also shouldn’t ask for too much information during the registration process or even after.

Never ask for user personal details that you do not really need.

Again, ask questions sparingly get basic information like the name and location during the registration, then seek other details later once the user has started using the app.

Long Loading Time

Your app may be well-designed and easy to use, but then it takes too long to load. This can also cause app abandonment.

A first-time user who finds your app exceptionally slow will start questioning its technical quality or its value. He or she can then instantly uninstall it if they feel it’s a waste of time.

A fast-loading app has a greater chance of winning the user’s confidence even if it has some yet-to-be-addressed glitches.

App Not Meeting User Expectation

A user may download your app, finds it useful, and decides to keep it after a preview. This means it has passed the initial UX hurdle.

However, over time, the user realizes the app is not as useful enough. It fails to meet the user expectations in full.

Hence, the user removes it days or months later.

To avoid such a scenario, you as the developer have to research your target audience before you even develop the app.

A good idea isn’t enough — you have to make sure it’s viable by creating a detailed business plan for your app.

Find out more about your users’ needs, goals, problems, etc., then make sure your app meets them.

Additionally, you have to continue seeking feedback from them even after the app is up and running.

That’s the only way to ensure you’re delivering what the users need — and keep them using your product.

Wrap Up

The main thing to take away from this app is that you should not go to sleep once you publish your app. The real work has just started.

Its success will depend on how you follow up on each user’s reaction.

If you keep addressing their pain points, they will continue to spend time in your app; it’s as simple as that.

Author:

Lisa Michaels is a freelance writer, editor, and a thriving content marketing consultant from Portland. Being self-employed, she does her best to stay on top of the current trends in business and tech. Feel free to connect with her on Twitter @LisaBMichaels.