How to Get Users to Your App: What Truly Works in 2024

Getting users to your app can feel like a challenge in today’s crowded digital landscape. With countless apps competing for attention, it’s crucial to know what strategies will actually make a difference. In 2024, successful user acquisition goes beyond basic tactics—it's about implementing smart, innovative approaches that genuinely resonate with your target audience.

In this guide, we’ll explore proven techniques and fresh ideas on how to get users to your app effectively. Whether you’re launching a new app or looking to boost engagement for an existing one, these insights will help you navigate the evolving market and achieve real results.
 

How Users Discover New Apps, According To A Research by Google

Family and friends or words of mouth is the most common source where users find out about an app (51%). In the second place is App store browsing (48%), which is followed by app store recommendations (34%) and in-app ads (33%).

By looking at this table, you can understand that you will need to have a solid marketing plan for your app to appear on multiple advertising channels. And the app itself must be unique, efficient, good-looking, and exciting enough for targeted users.

How To Get Users To Your App? 3 Fundamental Tips

Tip #1: Attract users on Social & PR channels

Social networks and the press are a great place to make a lasting impression. Use Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and leverage other social media platforms that are most relevant to your app. 

For example, if your product is lifestyle-based, you can look to Pinterest and Weheartit. Likewise, for PR posts and articles, choose appropriate public press sources that your targeted users usually read.
 

What you can do:

• Create a branding profile
• Join groups and communities to post about your app
• Write interesting and helpful answers to questions (for example, on Quora, Reddit)
• Leverage contents and pictures
• Create ads 
• Create your own community of fans
• Announce a testing phase and invite early users to join
   

Tip #2: Attract users with App Store Optimization (ASO)

The product page should be optimized so you can get more organic traffic. This is something you should think about at the early stages of building your mobile app.

What you can do:

• Choose a great title: that includes the app name and its unique selling point (USP)
• App Icon: should be tactfully designed to ensure a great user experience (UX)
• Category: Pick a category that best suits the primary purpose of the app and not just its features
• Description: Write in detail about the functions, what the app does and what users can expect. Include the story or inspiration behind your app to attract readers.
• Engaging screenshots and videos: This is a crucial part. It will determine the users' impression of your app, about what it is, how it can help them, and whether it's worth downloading.

With good ASO, you can also make it to the recommended list by editors. Note that this list is handpicked, and therefore your app must be attractive, unique, and quality enough to get featured. You can get a natural 30% boost of app installs if you are lucky enough to make it to the recommended list. 
 

Tip #3: Attract users with Digital advertising

With Google Ads, your banners and videos can get displayed on a trusted list of publishers (GDN - Google Display Network). You can focus on retargeting to reach people who have already shown interest in your apps/products without installing them.

What you can consider:

• Social media ads (Facebook ads, Linkedin ads, Twitter ads)
• KOLs and influencers
• Google ads - GDN
• Retargeting
• In-app ads

Closing Words

Above is the complete guide to all the marketing methods on how to get users to your app effectively. The best approach is an integrated method that includes multiple initiatives above simultaneously. After introducing your app to the public, you can get users' reviews and feedback and then go back to upgrading your app to serve their needs better.

If you are already confident in your market potential, contact Golden Owl to build an MVP! We provide best-in-class web and mobile development services that you can trust. For more info, check out our IT consulting services for SMEs & startups.