How Do In-App Messaging APIs Benefit Businesses? – Everyone Should Know!
Overview
Any business providing customer service undoubtedly needs live chat as one of its communication channels.
In-app messaging is a type of marketing that allows businesses to provide a more personalized experience to their customers while increasing engagement and retention. Businesses can use in-app messaging to guide customers through the onboarding process and notify them of new features or updates.
In other words, it is a simplified method of communicating with a user within an app. Its user interface is similar to popular Free messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger. It includes features such as media sharing, voice messages, and emojis.
Key Statistics to Ponder:
- Customers are increasingly using live chat as their primary mode of communication. In fact, 46% of them prefer to contact businesses via real-time chat over other channels.
- In-app messages increase engagement and user retention 3x by acting as a road map to help users complete their desired tasks.
- Across different uses cases, in-app chats have an average CTR of 7.4%
- In a Study by Reckless, in-app messaging demonstrated an impression above 75%. This value is 45 times higher than email conversations and thrice the impression created by push notifications.
So, if you are a businessman who is into a customer-oriented business, integrating in-app chat API into your product will most likely benefit you.
In the upcoming section, we will discuss some of the best ways your business can benefit from the In-App Chat API.
What Are the Business Benefits of In-App Messaging APIs?
Some of the best ways for businesses to benefit from In-App Messaging APIs are as follows:
- Welcome New Users/Easy Registration Process
According to research, more than 75% of users who download an app do not use it more than once. Businesses have only one chance to impress new users and persuade them to continue using the app. As a result, using in-app chat to welcome new users, highlight key features, encourage the first conversation, and offer a tour of the app or product as an onboarding – makes a great first impression and increases activation rates. Furthermore, with in-app chat for mobile apps, users can expect more instant and personalized onboarding messages that guide them through the onboarding process.
- Request Feedback From Customers
Digital communication APIs, in general, is used to collect feedback from active customers. With this, businesses can identify problems that users are having and help them right away. Instant messaging API allows businesses to receive immediate feedback. Integrating in-app messaging APIs is also an excellent way to get customer feedback on how they are using the app or feedback on the product/service.
Businesses can set parameters or plan scheduled triggers for users to submit feedback. For instance: Users who have used the app for a certain amount of time or frequent users can request feedback. Additionally, businesses can encourage customers to provide continuous feedback by integrating feedback channels into the app experience.
- Broadcast Updates and Special Features
Broadcasting updates, features, and product-related announcements are critical for customer retention. Businesses can use in-app messaging SDKs to inform users about updates and help them learn how to use them. However, rather than getting interrupted, updates should notify users of new features and fixes. As a result, businesses must make informed decisions about which updates should get notified via instant messaging APIs.
- Give Rewards and Celebrate Milestones
You can offer rewards and celebrate milestones to encourage active users and keep them engaged. Businesses can express their gratitude through in-app chats, increasing trust and engaging users. Users enjoy a more personalized experience when milestones are celebrated, and they return for more benefits. Returning users are highly valuable because they are easily converted into loyal users of the app, product, or service offered.
- Cross-Selling, Upselling, and Referrals
Businesses can use in-app messaging APIs to upsell products, cross-sell additional brands/products, and gain referrals. Insight Timer, for instance, uses in-app messaging SDKs to upsell services or upgrade users to Member Plus programs. Another example is the Spotify app, which initiates in-app chats when free users skip too many songs and try to upsell the premium version. Additionally, in-app chat for enterprise should encourage user referrals by sending contextual messages. Referral programs will act as a stimulant, allowing more users/customers to be added, resulting in business growth.
- Publicize New Products and Offers
Do you want to work on a new campaign with a well-known celebrity? Are you introducing a new product? Giving users discounts and incentives? In-app chat for business allows businesses to make announcements for several reasons. Businesses should also announce new products and services regularly. Avoid mentioning such announcements on blogs or low-intent pages, instead, you can communicate about such buzz-worthy events through in-app chats. Informing users in this way promotes engagement and customer retention.
- Best Business Messaging Apps from Third Parties
There are numerous in-app chat providers on the market, but the best in-app messaging API provider allows marketers to engage users at the appropriate time. In-app chat providers must always facilitate onboarding, share product updates, and provide support. Third-party in-app messaging API providers can help you gain traction with your most engaged users. Furthermore, with the help and support of in-app chat providers, businesses can leverage both web and mobile applications to create a unified onboarding process, provide support, and strengthen marketing.
Most Recommended In-App Messaging API Providers of 2023
Some of the Best In-app messaging API Providers of 2023 are as follows:
- MirrorFly
MirrorFly had a free chat solution & self-hosted chat solution that lets developers build in-app chat apps for any business. MirrorFly’s in-app messaging API provides seamless customization with several features, including SIP/VoIP integrations, multipurpose hosting options, and call configurations, to add messaging functionality to any type of application. MirrorFly supports a twin pricing model for SaaS and SaaP solutions, which is tailored to specific business requirements. For a one-time fee, MirrorFly’s self-managed chat/self-hosting chat solution provides complete customization.
- PubNub
PubNub provides a secure communication API for web, and mobile apps. PubNub also manages the infrastructure needed for the real-time communication layer of the apps. PubNub’s extensive features can be easily integrated into real-time chat apps at the scale required by the business – but at a cost.
- Apphitect
Apphitect is a popular instant messaging API that provides Whitelabel chat app solutions to world-renowned brands. The Apphitect instant messaging SDK and API make it easy for developers to create real-time chat apps. Developers can use Apphitect to build high-stakes chat systems that support enterprise mobility, cross-platform development, mobile applications, and much more.
- Sendbird
Sendbird’s Chat API, native Chat SDKs, and a fully-managed chat platform on the backend provide reliable and efficient communication solutions. Delivery receipts, offline messaging, presence, translation, moderation tools, analytics, and other features are available through the chat system. SendBird includes reference implementations as well as clone and modification options, making it easy to integrate the app.
Summing Up
Online communication is a vital part of our daily lives. Every year, this sector evolves and advances, implying that your investment has a huge upside.
An in-app messaging API can help you advance your customer service efforts. So, if you want to enhance your customer relationships, increase customer engagement, and boost sales, in-app messaging API is the way to go.
Further Readings: Top 7 Website Development Trends and Technologies to Use in 2023