App messaging is growing to be the preferred communication tool to drive user engagement and conversions within a mobile app. Marketers are taking advantage of app messaging in the form of push notifications, and email and SMS marketing to enhance user experience, keeping them hooked to their apps’ services for the longer term.
Top In-App Messaging Platforms
In-app messaging platforms help you interact with users more efficiently, whilst accurately segmenting your users, and personalizing your messages and notifications accordingly.
Send users relevant messages just at the right time – when they are actually engaging with your app, avoiding falling in the ‘how to turn off notifications for this app’ list.
Working with in-app messaging platforms can benefit both your users and your business, integrating personalized experiences via in-app messaging, allowing users to feel seen, prioritized and rewarded for choosing your mobile app.
Discover the top app messaging platforms to team up with, and take your mobile app to further heights.
What is an in-app messaging platform?
An in-app messaging platform offers productive solutions in order for mobile marketers to deliver high value app messages that motivate action and further engagement. They help you recapture the attention of your active users by sending them targeted notifications.
App messaging platforms also give you the ability to customize messages as any format that suits the nature of your app best, including banners, images, animation or modals. These personalized messages can entail highlighting a sale, giving clues or tips, or encouraging a like or share.
With the right in-app messaging platform you can tailor the notifications to your users’ demographic and in-app behavior, creating relevant copy and visuals to enhance user experience and satisfaction. So, you can nurture your most valuable users, and trigger messages based on their particular and unique interests.
Featured In-App Messaging Platforms
The top in-app messaging platforms
In-app messaging platforms are tools that allow brands to communicate with their users. The platforms enable you to send personalized messages in real time, enhancing user engagement and providing a more convenient way to communicate.
In-app messaging platforms can also provide businesses with valuable insights into user behavior, such as which features are most popular and how users are interacting with your app overall.
We’ve listed the best in-app messaging platforms below.
1. ConsultMyApp
ConsultMyApp (CMA) specializes in two key areas: app marketing and user acquisition. They offer a range of services on top, including app store optimization (ASO), paid user acquisition, influencer marketing, and other creative services.
The in-app messaging offered by CMA enables brands to communicate with their app users in real time while they are using the app. This can be used to share important updates, promotions, or other information that can improve the user experience.
The agency is known for its data-driven approach and has worked with some of the top app developers and brands in the world.
Overview
ConsultMyApp was founded in 2016 by Mike Rhodes. Mike’s passion led him to senior positions in both Experian and SAS before he decided to set out on his own path to help advance the app sector for the better.
Mike’s ethos is simple: make every app as great as it can possibly be. To that end, Mike and his team at CMA have helped businesses such as Virgin Media, O2, King Games, Grab, Tide, and General Motors.
Services
ConsultMyApp provides its customers with the following services:
- A service that increases app visibility, attracts more organic traffic, and boosts conversion as well as makes use of paid strategies that deliver more new users in a managed, scalable, and profitable way
- Retention, engagement, and monetization strategies to ensure users continue to deliver value
- Increase conversions with creative assets and make use of analytics models backed by experienced data scientists
2. Airship
Airship’s in-app messaging solution allows app developers (and brands) to send targeted and personalized messages to their users while they are using the app. Developers can create and deliver messages that appear as banners, pop-ups, or full-screen modals.
One of the key benefits of the service is its ability to deliver relevant messages to users based on their behavior and preferences. For example, developers can use the solution to send promotional messages to users who have abandoned their shopping carts, or to trigger personalized messages based on specific user actions within the app.
Overview
Airship (formerly known as Urban Airship) was founded in 2009 by Scott Kveton and Adam Lowry. The company started out as a platform for sending push notifications to mobile devices but has since expanded its offerings to include a range of mobile marketing solutions, including in-app messaging.
Airship is one of the leading providers of mobile marketing solutions, serving thousands of customers around the world. The company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and has additional offices in San Francisco, London, and Paris.
Services
Airship provides its customers with the following services:
- Airship’s flagship service allows app developers and brands to send targeted and personalized push notifications to mobile devices
- In-app messaging solution that enables developers to send banners, pop-ups, or full-screen modals
- Mobile wallet marketing enables brands to create and distribute mobile wallet passes, such as loyalty cards and coupons, to their customers
3. CometChat
CometChat is a chat and messaging SDK (software development kit) that enables app developers to add real-time chat functionality to their mobile and web apps. Using CometChat, developers can add features such as one-on-one messaging, group chat, voice and video calling, file sharing, and more to their apps.
One of the key benefits of CometChat is its ease of use and customization. The SDK is designed to be easy to integrate into existing apps and offers a range of customization options to match the look and feel of each.
Overview
CometChat was founded in 2009 by Anant Garg, who was a computer science student at the time. The idea for CometChat came to him when he was building a social networking site and realized the need for a chat solution that could be easily integrated into any platform.
Over the years, CometChat has evolved into a fully-fledged chat SDK and messaging solution. Today, the platform has a global customer base and is headquartered in Mumbai.
Services
CometChat provides its customers with the following services:
- Enables businesses to add real-time chat functionality to their apps, allowing users to communicate with each other instantly
- Offers voice and video calling features that can be integrated with any platform. This enables businesses to offer a complete communication solution to their users
- Allows users to collaborate with each other by sharing files, screens, and documents. This makes it an ideal solution for brands and app developers that require collaboration tools
4. CleverTap
CleverTap’s in-app messaging solution enables businesses to personalize their messages with the user’s name, location, or other relevant information to make it more engaging, as well as segment their users based on various criteria, such as their behavior, demographics, and location.
CleverTap enables brands to trigger messages based on user behavior or other events, such as app launches, user sign-ups, or purchases.
Overview
CleverTap was founded in 2013 by Sunil Thomas and Suresh Kondamudi. The company started as “WizRocket,” a mobile app engagement platform that provided personalized push notifications and in-app messaging. In 2016, WizRocket was rebranded as CleverTap.
The company has expanded its global presence and has offices in San Francisco, London, Singapore, and Mumbai. They have received several awards (and recognitions) for their contributions to the mobile marketing industry.
Services
CleverTap provides its customers with the following services:
- Enables businesses to trigger messages based on user behavior or other events, such as app launches, user sign-ups, or purchases
- The platform allows businesses to test different messaging strategies to identify the most effective approach
- Provides real-time analytics to help businesses track the performance of their messages and make informed decisions
5. Plotline
Plotline is a cloud-based platform that can be integrated with any app and provides brands with a dashboard to manage their messaging campaigns, segment their users, and track the performance of their messages. The platform provides businesses with a range of customization options, such as themes, colors, and fonts.
The platform is known for its ease of use, its highly customizable nature, and its real-time analytics that help businesses make data-driven decisions.
Overview
Plotline was founded in 2021 by Shubham Jindal. Jindal’s aim was to build a SaaS product that empowered organizations to understand their customers better.
Plotline serves customers worldwide, including top brands such as StashAway, CoinDCX, ShareChat, and Niyo.
Services
Plotline provides its customers with the following services:
- Create and send surveys and polls to users to gather feedback and insights. This data can be used to improve the app experience and better understand user needs
- Provides real-time analytics and reporting features that allow brands to track user engagement and retention
- Enables app developers to create personalized messages with the user’s name, location, or other relevant information to make it more engaging
What are the key capabilities of app messaging platforms?
In-app messaging platforms help you create messaging formats. These notifications are also designed to support cross-sell or upsell initiatives and gather user reviews and feedback too.
With the overall functionality of app messaging platforms, let us dive deeper into their key capabilities and what they can do for mobile marketers.
Send engaging & contextual messages
In-app messaging platforms allow you to set automated notifications when they are needed. So, while users are using your app they will receive a message promoting an upcoming, big sale, or the unlocking of a new level in your game app.
In-app messages with contextual significance
Source: Firebase
These messages are relevant to consumers, and can provide higher value to the overall user experience in order to keep your app engaging and satisfactory.
Create flexible & personalized notifications
App owners can customize and personalize not only the copy, but also the style, animation and any display triggers when working with top platforms, and that too all in just a few clicks.
Furthermore, these platforms also give you the power to send messages to users based on their most common actions as well as their interests. Thus, they make these notifications highly accurate and significant to conversions, as they appear as a direct result of user behavior.
Get insights into analytics & performance
The most important capability and feature that messaging platforms offer is their collaborations with the right app analytics tools. In-app notifications platforms track impressions, clicks and conversions consistently, so mobile marketers can monitor campaign performance accurately.
Getting insights into key data allows app owners to make informed decisions on how to tweak and improve campaigns for better results.
App messaging platforms vs push notifications services
You may have noticed we have been throwing around the terms ‘messaging’ and ‘notifications’ in the same context – which they are, but not quite, depending on how you use them.
While the two concepts are often used interchangeably, the key difference lies within this very fact:
In-app messages vs push notifications
Push notification services can help with creating effective strategies that target users through automated messaging, prioritizing relevancy of the notifications to re-engage consumers with your mobile app. Moreover, they can also help to reduce the risk of users leaving their purchase or app usage on hold by sending reminders to complete their actions, or suggestions on alternative options.
In essence, push notifications platforms promote your app’s features and services, motivating consumers to further discover your product, while increasing retention levels too. They are dedicated to retargeting users when they are offline.
App messaging platforms, on the other hand, work actively towards grabbing the attention of users while they are using your app services and features. Whatever activity they are doing on your app at the very moment, they can send accurate messages with the right context.
In Airship’s latest Mobile Engagement Benchmark Survey, it was found that in-app messaging typically receives 8x the direct response rates of push notifications. This is highly due to the fact that app users are already engaging with your app at the very moment they receive the message, leading to higher retention rates.
Why are app messaging platforms important?
Working with in-app messaging platforms can be of great advantage to mobile marketers and across a range of marketing channels too. In fact, mobile marketers that utilize in-app messaging tactics experience 3.5x percent higher user retention, and 27% more app launches than those that do not.
These platforms can help build effective app messaging campaigns, accurately targeting users with personalized messages, based on audience behaviors, various personas, and on how far along they are in the customer journey.
There are many more reasons why you should partner with app messaging platforms, so let us dive into the most crucial benefits.
Brand control
Customizing messages according to the demographic of your target users will give you complete brand control. The in-app messages will be able to capture the attention of users at the perfect time, when they need that extra nudge to complete their purchase, or unlock the next level of the game app.
User retention
When users receive relevant notifications, including offers and recommendations based on their in-app actions, it will enhance their experience and speak to them on a more personal level. Whether the in-app messages come in the form of full-screen pop-ups, top banners or overlays, you can target specific user segments for increased engagement, and thus, user retention.
Increase customer lifetime value
In-app messaging platforms can enhance customer lifetime value (CLV) by taking active measures and implementing well sought out strategies that can help retarget existing customers and keep them satisfied. This will help cultivate the relationship between your brand and the user, extending the average customer lifespan for your mobile app.
What is an example of in-app messaging platforms?
There are several in-app messaging platforms to choose from in our directory below that will help you create the right messages to send to your active users. Moreover, they will allow you to track and analyze the interaction with these messages, and provide insight into whether your strategies are actually paying off.
So, what are some examples of efficient in-app messaging platforms?
Firebase In-App Messaging
Firebase In-App Messaging is a proactive tool that helps mobile marketers engage their users by sending them targeted messages, with contextual significance that resonate with them. Users are encouraged to keep using the app features with in-app messaging tactics curated, with the support of Firebase.
The platform encourages exploration and discovery of various aspects of your mobile app, from getting users to subscribe, complete a game level or purchase a product.
Firebase In-App Messaging Features
The way the platform works is you first connect your mobile app by adding Firebase to it in the Firebase console. Then you integrate the Firebase SDK using built automation tools for software development, such as CocoaPods or Gradle.
You are then all set to create, customize and target your first in-app message.
Core capabilities of Firebase In-App MessagingÂ
With Firebase, you can also curate notifications with templates that are specifically designed for creating engaging messages. Message templates include all in-app messaging formats mobile marketers need, ranging from Modal to Banner templates.
Firebase also allows mobile marketers to target specific users based on their behavior, language, location and engagement levels. For example, you can target audiences with a ‘Last app engagement’ that occurred between one to seven days to assess their activity. Then you can send them a message asking if they are enjoying your app, and if they respond positively, you can deep link to Google Play for a review.
‘Last app engagement’ feature
Source: Firebase
Firebase also provides you with the abilities to schedule messages with contextual triggers as well as to track your app’s performance. When you combine Firebase with Google Analytics you can get insights into important data about your users’ behavior, preferences and satisfaction with your app.
You can also track your users’ interactions with the in-app messages as well as how many users received the messages and clicked on them and how many completed the conversion event. Furthermore, monitor the more important and ‘formal’ notifications, like terms of service update, tracking which user agreed to your terms and conditions.
In-app messaging platforms best practices
In-app messaging platforms can help you build lasting relationships with your customers by satisfying their needs while they are actively browsing through your mobile app.
These platforms provide a variety of tools to make the in-app messaging process more efficient, including productive UI templates based on the type of user communication as well as a tailored style of message triggering that is based on your users’ interactions to create a seamless progression, from the initial session to the preferable conversion.
Here are some of in-app messaging platforms’ best practices:
- Personalized messages
- Segment users
- Encouraging interaction and conversation with users
- Use of graphics
- Focus on CTAs
- A/B testing in-app messages
Partner with in-app notification platforms to maximize user engagement, and to guide users to check out your most valuable mobile app features. Enhance your download and install rates, and improve app retention, usage and customer lifetime value instantly with the efficient strategy that is in-app messaging.
