Community Apps: Low Engagement and High Dropout Rate? 3 Ways to Fix Them

An important thing to consider when choosing a platform for your community: does the platform allow members to maximize their experiences in this space. Thinking about it before choosing your platform would save you a lot of headaches and disappointments. However, if you have taken the leap already, here are a few things you could do to enhance the member experience and engagement, and avoid potential disappointment down the road.

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1.    Understand members’ needs.

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What are the top 3 things members seek to achieve and fulfill by joining your platform. Getting crystal clear on the members needs and desires will guide you to set up the community and maximize the chances these needs are met. Remember the top principle of a community is all about the experience.

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2.    Meet people's needs without the overwhelming.

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Based on the members’ needs, suggest one or two groups for each member to join. Digital burnout and overwhelming app alerts are real. The backlash of the over-exposing on the platform will result in low engagement and high dropout rate. This is the last thing you want for your community.

The best engagement only happens when member can maximize all their connection needs on the platform, and is given autonomy to connect with each other however they wish: in a large group discussion or private message group with full understanding in privacy and control. If members need to go off to somewhere else for connection, it’s very challenging to bring people back.

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3.    Onboarding process is important, but that's not all.

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The onboarding process is mighty important for the new comers, and often undervalued by the community leaders. What’s the best onboarding method for the newcomer? For members who skip this process, how would your supporting structure step in?

If you realize the onboarding process is not work well or at all, figuring out other ways to help people navigate the platform such as hosting Q & A sessions, have a supporting system to help and guide them to the next step of connection.

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Hope the 3 ways help you gain a better understanding on the people you seek to serve and meet their needs with your community. Let me know how it goes and drop a note at: ruckus@jessicazou.com.

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