Best Offline App Marketing Strategies for Shopify Stores | Appbrew

The eCommerce shopping app industry has grown tremendously. In just one year, the revenue from eCommerce apps increased by 8.1% from 2022 to 2023.

Today, more than 70% of consumers prefer using mobile apps for shopping (according to eMarketer.com). For eCommerce retailers, this means there’s a market for app users.

Earlier, we have discussed many strategies to boost app downloads for online channels. But we shouldn’t neglect offline strategies. 

This blog focuses on offline tactics to drive eCommerce app downloads.

Offline strategies to drive more app installs for your Shopify brand 

Here are some strategies we recommend to brands building apps with Appbrew: 

1. Promote app at retail outlet

Meeting customers in-person at your physical store has many advantages. For instance, you can have a face to face conversation. This is a huge advantage compared to online stores that lack a physical human interaction. A smart salesperson can influence customers’ actions in real-time, including promoting your app. Here are some ideas:

• Display a poster with a QR code to download your app
• Train your staff to encourage customers to download the app via the QR code
• Offer a discount coupon for downloading the app
• Run store-exclusive contests where downloading app is mandatory
• Display the QR code in your shopping window - customers in a hurry or window shopping can download your app 

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2. Promote app via direct mail

Even though digital has taken over the world of marketing, physical flyers and pamphlets still have a huge influence on customers. You can send these physical creatives to customers via direct mail. Here’s what you can do:

• Create flyers, brochures, and pamphlets with a QR code
• Hand them to customers at your store or at offline events
• Send these flyers via direct mail along with discount coupons
• Highlights benefits of downloading and using your app, in the flyers

3. Employee advocacy

An average person has at least 80 apps on their phone. And so, most people avoid downloading more apps. 

Hence, it is important to encourage and push customers to download your app. Most times, when they are in front of you.

• Train your staff and employees to promote the app
• Your staff should tell customers the benefits of using the app
• Offer incentives, such as discount codes, etc. for downloading the app
• Promote your app via your staff at popups and events where they interact with customers

4. App QR code on packaging

Another effective offline marketing strategy to promote app download is to have a QR code on your packaging or shopping bag. Customers can easily scan the code to download your app.

Every time a customer reuses the shopping bag with the QR code, the potential for app downloads will increase. For example, your customer may talk about your brand with their friends and entice them to download the app from the bag.

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5. Referral program

Your existing customers are your best brand advocates. Your offline marketing strategy to increase app downloads must definitely include a referral program. Let’s see how you can make use of your referral program to increase downloads.

• Encourage your existing customers to encourage friends and family to download the app
• Offer rewards to both the referrer and the new user once the app is downloaded and used
• Offer reward points to new customers who download the app

6. Cross promotion with other brands

Another effective marketing strategy to increase your eCommerce app downloads is to collaborate and partner with other brands. Just the way influencer marketing works, you can expand your reach by partnering with other brands.

Here’s what you can do:

• Partner and collaborate with non-competing brands that have a physical presence
• Collaborate and promote each other’s apps at physical stores, events, etc.
• Create bundles in collaboration with other brands and offer discounts when purchased via the app, thus leading new customers to download apps

7. Interactive TV or radio ads

While the common perception is that TV and radio are traditional channels and are not effective for marketing, the numbers say something else. Radio accounts for 76% of the daily audio time spent with any ad-supported platform. Here’s how you can use these channels to drive app downloads.

• Create interactive TV and radio ads by encouraging listeners and viewers to download your app
• Run contests that require people to download the app
• Run quizzes by making it mandatory to download your app

8. Print ads

One of the best ways to increase your eCommerce app downloads is print ads. Think newspapers, magazines, and small hoardings at events, etc. Do this:

• Create special campaigns with a goal for app downloads
• Ensure the ads are appealing, exciting, and draw readers in
• Add gamification elements into the ads to make it more exciting
• Offer rewards and perks for app downloads

9. Localize your app

Your customers may be based in different regions. These regions may have preference for different languages, currencies, and customers may have different needs based on where they live. 

One way to increase app downloads is to add localization features in your eCommerce app. Here’s what you can do:

• Localize the content by incorporating different languages
• Enable settings for customers to see prices in different currencies
• Use relevant SEO keywords to make search easy
• Think beyond language and currency - visuals, icons, other local trends

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10. Expand your brand network

The more brand awareness you create via offline channels, the more potential customers you will reach. Meet potential customers wherever they are. Here’s what you can do:

• Incorporate app download strategies at various touch points in the offline customer journey - for instance, when customers enter your physical store, when they are leaving, ask them to share a review by downloading the app, etc.
• Collaborate with other non-competing brands in different regions and localities to capture their audience
• Build offline communities who can help you increase app downloads

Key takeaways - offline marketing strategies to increase app downloads 

With competition increasing in the eCommerce market, it is difficult to drive app downloads. But it is not impossible. However, you have to ensure you focus on campaigns and strategies to increase the number of downloads consistently. Here are the takeaways:

• Do not miss the opportunity to interact with customers in person at your retail outlets
• Use traditional channels such as direct mail by including a QR code in the communication
• Prioritize employee and staff training to ensure they promote your app
• Prominently display the app download QR code on packaging and shopping bags
• Use your referral program to drive more downloads through your existing and loyal customers
• Incorporate TV and radio ads in your offline marketing strategy in creative ways
• Localize your app content and features to appeal to potential customers in different regions
• Boost your brand awareness by physically expanding your network

Also read: How can shopping apps boost customer retention 

Build customized apps for your Shopify store with Appbrew 

The eCommerce market is one of the most competitive industries. Winning downloads in thousands, lacs, and millions can be a daunting task. And to help you achieve your business goals, you will need to partner with an efficient mobile app builder that can help you succeed.

Appbrew mobile app builder turns Shopify stores into appealing apps and helps brands boost conversions with the many in-build features.

Here are some of the features you don’t want to miss:

• Advanced customization features - makes your app and website look and feel the same
• Unlimited push notifications - drives higher retention
• Efficient integration - supports over 100+ integrations in your app
• Best customer service - dedicated to your growth 
• Advanced promotion features - helps with app-only campaigns, discounts, etc.

Explore Appbrew for your Shopify store today!