In the digital world, mobile apps are fighting to get and keep user attention in an ever more crowded space. Whether it is retail and food delivery apps or entertainment and gaming platforms, one of the core challenges is how do you get users not only to download the app but also to stay excited about it after the initial download.
And the world of bonus codes: a time-tested marketing method that brings in app engagement, and gains in conversions through the rewards of value to users. Bonus codes have proven to be a very powerful, if not broad, tool in the armory of app marketers across the board: whether it is getting new users to sign up, getting existing users to make in app purchases, or rewarding loyal customers for their patronage.
A good example is the bet365 bonus code, used by the popular sports betting platform Bet365. The bonus code allows users to get access to some exclusive special offers, such as free bets, deposit matches or other rewards, all of which make them more likely to use the app and bet. From attracting new users, to driving conversions in the app, this tactic has worked incredibly well at promoting the engagement and long term sustainability of the app. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how bonus codes can really increase mobile app engagement.
Bonus Codes in App Marketing: The Role
Bonus codes are similar to promotional offers that allow users to access special benefits or discounts when they take a certain action: sign up for an app, make a purchase, or refer a friend. They are a versatile marketing tool that can be used in a variety of ways to drive user engagement, including:
Acquiring New Users: Bonus codes have become one of the most used to attract new users to download and sign up for an app. App developers can use a bonus code that gives them a discount or special reward to encourage potential users to test the app.
Encouraging In-App Purchases: Bonus codes can also be used to incentivize a user to make their first in-app purchase or increase purchase frequency. Let’s consider, for example, if you have a discount on a popular product or service that you can provide via a bonus code, prompting users to buy something that they would have put off.
Rewarding Loyalty: Bonus codes are often part of a loyalty program that many apps use to reward users if they continue to use the app over time. For instance, users may receive a bonus code when they’ve hit a certain point — perhaps their fifth purchase or thirty days straight using the app.
Re-engaging Dormant Users: Bonus codes can be quite a handy way of bringing your users back when they’ve stopped engaging with the app. A well timed offer, like a discount or a free product, can just be the nudge users need to remind them of the value of your app and get them back on track.
How to Improve Conversions with Bonus Codes
Many mobile apps are all about mobile conversions—like a purchase, sign-up, etc.—which are the lifeblood of mobile apps. Bonus codes can help to drive conversions because a bonus code can offer immediate value to users. That’s why they tap into users’ desire to get something extra and that extra value very often leads to action. Here’s how bonus codes boost conversions:
1. Urgency and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
They are usually time sensitive, which brings a feeling of urgency in the user. This is because they want to do something without second thoughts as if they know that an offer is valid for a specific period of time. In fact, say a sports betting app could give a bonus code for a free bet on a high-profile match, but only for a short period. It’s a type of FOMO that encourages users to make their purchases with the code before it expires.
2. Incentivizing Good Behavior
Bonus codes are ways for app developers to steer users to make a certain action which creates value for the app, such as making an in-app purchase, subscribing to a service, or placing a bet. For example, the bonus code may be provided to users who benefit from free credits or a match on their first deposit placed on their sportsbook. Not only is this good for engagement but it also leads to a greater likelihood of continued app use.
3. Building Trust and Loyalty
Bonus codes provide this positive first impression for new users by incentivizing them to try the app out risk free or at a discount. The more likely users are to use it, the more likely they are to continue using it once they realize the value of the app. Furthermore, bonus codes provide a nice way to encourage good user behavior through a loyalty program, rewarding those customers that continue to engage with the product. This starts to build trust and form a long-term relationship between the user and the app over time.
4. Make the Most of Word of Mouth Marketing
Bonus codes by their very nature are shareable, so they’re perfect for word of mouth marketing. Nothing beats seeing how many people jumped to share a bonus code they were given just because the offer is exclusive or too attractive to ignore. Referral bonuses are a thing in many cases, where both the referrer and referred friend get a bonus code. Not only does this help to get new users, but it also helps stay engaged with existing users via social connections.
Personalizing Experience of Bonus Code
Personalization is one of the most effective ways to have a positive impact on bonus codes. By applying reward codes to users based upon their behavior, location or preferences, apps can provide more relevant and less valuable incentives. Take, for example, a sports betting app: If it’s personalized a bit more, maybe it decides to give a user a bonus code for their favorite sport or team, making a user more prone to use it.
Personalized bonus codes also give a feeling of exclusivity, making users think they’re getting a unique offer just for them. You can significantly increase engagement and make users accept the offer with this.
