{"id":2668,"date":"2022-10-12T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/138.197.200.24\/resources\/blog\/problem-of-app-abandonment-and-how-to-fix-it\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T10:29:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:29:59","slug":"problem-of-app-abandonment-and-how-to-fix-it","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.smartkarrot.com\/resources\/blog\/problem-of-app-abandonment-and-how-to-fix-it\/","title":{"rendered":"The Problem Of App Abandonment And How To Fix It"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction To App Abandonment <\/h2>\n

When it comes to mobile app marketing, a vicious cycle sometimes stalls the most ardent of efforts. The cycle begins with organizations focusing on new user acquisition rather than on retaining existing users. New user acquisition is an expensive proposition and it consumes most of the time and resources at an organization\u2019s disposal. Therefore, engagement of existing users<\/a> takes a backseat leading to high app abandonment and the cycle continues. Forrester\u2019s report found<\/a> that only 70% of CMOs considered retention to be a top priority. <\/p>\n

Before going on to the reasons why users abandon your app, let\u2019s first understand what app abandonment exactly means. <\/p>\n

App abandonment is simply the act of your users abandoning your app at various points of using it such as before signing up, making a purchase, or sometimes even before using it. It is important to analyze which aspects of your app are not going well with your users.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

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Why Users Abandon Your Mobile
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A common statistic that most mobile app marketers must be aware of is that one in four mobile users abandon apps after using it just once. This can be a discouraging statistic to deal with. However, it\u2019s a starting point to understand what\u2019s making users abandon your app. For example, Google released a survey conducted by IPSOS of around 1,000 smartphone users in the US in an attempt to figure out the reasons why users abandoned apps. As per the report, some of the primary reasons for app abandonment were changing needs, phone memory issues, and app glitches. <\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s look at some of the essential reasons why users decide to abandon mobile apps:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Poor Onboarding Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

As they say, the first impression is the last impression. It\u2019s true as far as your app is concerned. User onboarding is generally the first point of contact of your users with your app and your opportunity to create a lasting impression. These first few interactions help you create bonds and build habits for your user. If they\u2019re not satisfied with the onboarding experience, they\u2019re likely to abandon your app. So it\u2019s important to pay attention to small details such as the tutorial, user guide, sign-up process, etc. For example, Weathercube\u2019s simple, three-slide onboarding creates a satisfying experience for the user. <\/p>\n

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Privacy Concerns <\/strong><\/p>\n

Another issue that triggers app abandonment among users is privacy. Most users are suspicious of apps that request personal details, collect and sell data, track locations and post to social media accounts on the user\u2019s behalf. So whenever your users feel the slightest discomfort or intrusion from your app, they are likely to abandon it. The best approach is to be completely transparent about what permissions you\u2019re requesting from the users and why. <\/p>\n

App Relevancy<\/strong><\/p>\n

One reason which may be difficult to digest is that your app might not be any different from others in the market. If your app doesn\u2019t have a competitive advantage such as a clear brand proposition, a good app store ranking, or a huge social media fan following, then your users may go for a better option in the market. <\/p>\n

Intrusive Ads<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most users are aware of the fact that free apps are free because of ads. That\u2019s why they\u2019re ready to accept ads as a part of apps as long as they\u2019re not intrusive. However, a cluttered advertising UX can put users off and drive them away. As long as the content, placement, and frequency of the ads are unobtrusive, the users will feel more engaged.<\/p>\n

Technical Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n

Technical flaws are one of the primary reasons why users abandon your app. The most common type of problem that annoy users is crashes and freezes. They can induce your users to uninstall your app<\/a> or leave negative reviews. Fixing the technical flaws can help you to improve your ratings on the store and reach better retention. <\/p>\n

Too Many Notifications<\/strong><\/p>\n

One thing that annoys users a lot is push notifications. Although push notifications can act as great communication tools, however, when overdone, they can really hamper your brand. Make sure you customize the content, select the right frequency, and the right time so as not to make users abandon your app.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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How To Fix The Problem of App Abandonment <\/h3>\n

#1. Start With Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)<\/h4>\n

The greatest advantage that your app can have over others is your unique selling proposition (USP). It\u2019s nothing but a factor that sets your app apart from your competitors. The USP is not necessarily a feature but rather a user benefit that\u2019s unique to your app. The diagram below gives a better insight into what USP refers to. <\/p>\n

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Image Credit<\/a> <\/p>\n

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Figuring out your USP isn\u2019t that difficult. You can do it in 3 easy steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n