Mobile App Gamification: Techniques and Best Practices

Mobile app gamification refers to integrating fun features or game dynamics into an app to increase user engagement besides improving customer retention. But gamification comes useful only after the users have spent a certain time or become familiar with the app. No new user will be engaged in gamification until they have spent some time on your app and have at least a rough idea of the app’s functionality.

It’s harder to prevent users from uninstalling an application than persuading them to download it. If your app has got good enough downloads on the app store, work on the strategies to keep them engaged. One way to do it is to gamify your mobile app. Not only does it make the app interesting by adding more fun elements but works effectively to compel users to return to the app. Here’s how you can gamify your mobile app smartly.

How to Gamify a Mobile App?

There are various techniques to incorporate gamification into your mobile app, such as-

1. Rewards

One of the widely adopted methods to encourage app users to continue using the app is by offering them rewards or incentives such as collectibles or points. Users are bound to return to your app at frequent intervals to collect rewards. Such strategies affect user behavior and create delightful experiences. For example, Flipkart- India’s eCommerce retail giant, offers SuperCoins to customers on their purchase which they can redeem either during their next purchase or to claim exclusive rewards from Flipkart partners. Another example is Tasktopia; a mobile app for creating a to-do list that leverages gamification to maximize productivity and stay engaged to do any task. Users select a character and assign tasks to themselves, after the completion of which “experience” points are rewarded. The more experience you get, the higher the level you reach.

2. Badges

Badges are achievement rewards that are provided to users when they accomplish a certain task. This mobile gamification technique compels users to take up more challenges and collect more badges, eventually resulting in higher app engagement. And if they could flaunt or share them on social media, it can help attract more app downloads. One of the popular examples is Google Maps where the app rewards users with special badges for writing reviews or adding photos. These are permanent badges and are displayed to anyone who comes across your Google Maps profile. The more you contribute to the app, the level of badges also increases starting from Novice Reviewer to Master Fact Finder.

3. Host Quizzes and Challenges

Quizzes are yet another mobile app gamification technique used by brands to boost user engagement. E-commerce behemoth Amazon uses this to its advantage as the app hosts multiple quizzes to keep users involved in the application and increase user interaction. The quizzes can be a general quiz or related to their upcoming sales and events. To make the most out of this mobile app gamification strategy, ensure that the quiz is entertaining by putting some engaging questions or the users might not show any interest, otherwise.

Brands also host challenges as a gamification technique. Starbucks once asked its app users to check-in in 5 different Starbucks outlets in a month and their sales in that period touched the sky.

4. Leaderboards

A leaderboard is a board that displays the names and rankings of the leading players in the event or competition. In mobile app gamification, leaderboards are quite helpful to compel users to continue using the app, however, they don’t work miracles on their own. Only if the app offers something relevant and enticing to the users would make them interested in following the leaderboard. This mobile gamification technique stimulates a competitive spirit and keeps users hooked to your app.

Best Practices to Gamify a Mobile App

Mobile app gamification has more to do with human psychology than technology or methodology. Before you proceed with implementing the above-mentioned gamification techniques, keep a note of the following mobile app gamification best practices.

1. Set Objectives

One may be eager to move hastily into Gamification just because it is extensively used in lots of mobile apps, however, one needs to understand that successful ones are those that have a purpose and a well-thought-out plan behind integrating gamification. Knowing what goals you want to achieve is important. It could be about acquiring more users, sustaining retention levels, boosting engagement, or creating a viral loop. Just like you set your objectives before you pick an app development company for your project or during your app launch, the same should be done for implementing gamification in your mobile app. Put simply, set a base.

2. Keep It Simple

Mobile app gamification doesn’t always make things interesting. In fact, the experience can get even worse and complicated post gamification. Although it may sometimes be an intimidating task even for the developers, it shouldn’t be a challenge for the app users else they might stop interacting with the app altogether. It can hamper the experience of even your most engaged app users, and this is something that no app owner would want to witness.

Don’t suffocate or confuse users with too many features. Try to keep it very simple with your gamification techniques. Provided that one keeps up with some user score, more features can be unlocked gradually based on the user’s score or the level they are in. A simple and gradual process makes it for facial user interaction and effective gamification.

3. Provide Value

Your mobile app gamification technique should give users a sense of accomplishment while they use your app. They should feel like they have achieved something special whether it’s about winning a reward, claiming a badge, or anything useful for them. Unless you are adding value or providing some, there’s no valid reason for the app users to frequently return to your app. So, give them a reason to visit your app often by offering something valuable through your mobile gamification strategy.

4. Create Sharing Loops

App users do like to get recognition for their achievements, badges, or top scores. This is why alongside gamification, allowing users to flaunt these achievements can be an ideal move. This can encourage people who are struggling to pull off the same. This gamification practice helps acquire new customers by creating awareness as well as help engage or retain the existing ones. So, build social media loops that enable app users to showcase their skills on various social media networks. You could also add an option of inviting friends so that they can call them on the application and compete against them.

5. Build techniques that suit the Ecosystem

Mobile App Gamification techniques do not work with all kinds of mobile apps. For example, rewards may not be useful in some, and leaderboards or badges in some others. Therefore, before you make your mind about gamification, it’s important to understand what kind of technique would suit the app and how have been the behavioral patterns of the user while interacting with the app. Form techniques that make sense and are well ingrained in your app’s ecosystem to provide a seamless user experience. For instance, if you are using gamification in eLearning, see how you can leverage it to maintain the interest of students using some fun features.

Conclusion

Mobile app gamification is leveraged in various sectors such as e-commerce and education (e-learning). One such example is Budbeed- an eLearning app that makes learning fun and has transformed the way students are taught and the way they learn. Budbeed is a part of our portfolio and we take pride in contributing to its success.

Although gamification seems to be an effective user engagement strategy and makes things more exciting and fun, no amount of gamification can persuade users for something they do not want to do. It helps when they are already a part of the ecosystem and constantly browse your app.

Consider the above-mentioned techniques and best practices to gamify your mobile app in the most profitable way. If everything falls into the right place, you will witness higher app engagement, more app downloads, and more traffic.

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