Are you struggling to keep your association members engaged and connected in today's fast-paced digital world? Do you find it challenging to communicate effectively with your members, gather their feedback, and encourage participation in events and activities?
If so, you're not alone.
Many associations face these common pain points, but the good news is that a mobile app can help you overcome these challenges and take your member engagement to the next level.
In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of association apps, key features to include, and tips for developing a successful app.
Key Takeaways
- An association app can help overcome common association challenges, such as low member engagement, ineffective communication, and difficulty in gathering feedback.
- Key benefits of an association app include increased member engagement and participation, improved communication and networking among members, timely and easy acquisition of member feedback, and centralized access to member contact information.
- You can leverage your association's existing website content and functionality to create a mobile app experience for your members using platforms like Glue Up.
- Glue Up offers a comprehensive solution for developing a customized association app with a range of features and tools to enhance member engagement, communication, and participation.
- When developing an association app, prioritize user experience, focus on key features, integrate with existing systems, and actively promote and educate members to ensure successful adoption and engagement.
What Is an Association App?
An association app is a mobile application specifically designed for the needs of your professional association or organization.
It serves as a centralized platform for your members to access information, engage with each other, and participate in association activities. You can customize it to include a wide range of features and functionalities, depending on the specific needs and goals of your organization.
What Are the Benefits of an Association App?
Based on the 2023 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report, people primarily join membership associations for three key reasons.
- The most significant factor, cited by 63% of respondents, is the opportunity to network and connect with others who share similar interests or work in the same field as the association.
- The second most important reason, mentioned by 37% of participants, is the ability to access professional development resources and learning opportunities provided by the association.
- Lastly, 32% of people join to gain access to specialized information or news relevant to the association's area of focus.
An association app consolidates all three benefits onto a single platform, conveniently accessible on the device that your members carry with them at all times.
Thus, it helps you achieve everything you are looking forward to - enhanced engagement, a high number of renewals, and a positive relationship with your members.
Let’s take a look at each of these benefits one by one:
1. Increased Engagement and Participation
One of the primary advantages of an association app is its ability to boost your member engagement and participation.
According to the 2023 Mobile Customer Engagement Benchmark Report, apps that proactively engage users saw a 67% retention rate at 30 days, which is over three times the industry average.
With an app, your members can connect with the association and each other more easily and participate more actively in events, discussions, and initiatives.
You can also use push notifications to remind members of upcoming activities, while in-app forums and chat features can facilitate ongoing conversations and collaboration.
Moreover, a mobile app can significantly improve new member onboarding and lay the foundation for a strong, lasting connection with your association.
2. Improved Communication & Networking Between Members
An association app can greatly enhance communication and networking opportunities among your members.
With features like member directories, messaging, and discussion forums, an app makes it easy for your members to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and build professional relationships.
This can be particularly valuable for your association if your members are spread across different geographic locations or have busy schedules that make in-person networking challenging.
3. Timely & Easy Acquisition of Member Feedback
A good way to improve your organization's offerings and better serve its members is to gather feedback from them.
A significant statistic shows that about 13% of users are likely to share their negative experiences on the app. This indicates that they not only facilitate the collection of positive feedback but are also crucial in capturing negative user experiences which can provide valuable insights for improvements (UserGuiding).
An app can also streamline the process of collecting member feedback through surveys, polls, and comment sections.
This allows you to quickly gauge member opinions on various topics, from event planning to policy decisions, and make data-driven decisions that align with your members' needs and preferences.
4. Access to Member Contact
An association app can serve as a central hub for your member contact information, making it easy for you to reach out to members with important updates, announcements, and opportunities.
Your members can update their contact details through the app, ensuring that you always have the most current information. This can be particularly useful for sending targeted communications to specific member segments or committees.
Turn Your Website into a Functional Association Mobile App
If your association already has a website, you may be wondering if you need a separate mobile app.
The good news is that you can leverage your existing website content and functionality to create a mobile app experience for your members.
By using a platform like Glue Up, you can convert your membership website into a fully functional association app without starting from scratch.
Glue Up's app allows you to seamlessly integrate your website's content, design, and features into a mobile app format.
This means that your members can access all the valuable resources and tools available on your website through a convenient and user-friendly app interface.
From event registration and member directories to resource libraries and discussion forums, your website's functionality can be easily translated into an app experience.
Use Glue Up Mobile Apps
Glue Up offers a comprehensive solution for associations looking to develop a mobile app.
With Glue Up's mobile app platform, you can create a customized app that meets the specific needs of your association and its members.
The platform comes with two convenient apps, one for the organization and the other for your members and attendees. The first app, Glue-Up Manager allows you to manage your operations, view analytics, and sync your data to the cloud with just one click. My Glue Community app helps your members stay connected and informed.
Glue Up apps provide you with a range of features and tools to enhance member engagement, communication, and participation, including:
- Event management and registration
- Member directories and profiles
- Messaging and discussion forums
- Content and resource libraries
- Push notifications and reminders
- Surveys and feedback collection
- Analytics and Reporting
Glue Up's app development process is designed to be user-friendly and efficient, allowing you to create a professional-grade app without needing extensive technical expertise.
The platform offers customizable templates, drag-and-drop design tools, and step-by-step guides to simplify your membership workflows.
Additionally, Glue Up provides ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your app remains up-to-date and functioning smoothly.
However, if you’re not using Glue Up’s app service, consider the following tips when developing your association App:
Prioritize User Experience
Ensure that your app is intuitive, easy to navigate, and visually appealing to encourage member adoption and engagement.
Focus on Key Features
Identify the most important features and functionalities that will provide value to your members and prioritize their implementation.
Integrate with Existing Systems
Ensure that your app integrates seamlessly with your association's existing tools and platforms, such as your website, CRM, or event management software.
Promote and Educate
Once your app is launched, promote it actively to your members and provide training and resources to help them make the most of its features.
In conclusion, developing a mobile app for your association can provide you with numerous benefits, from increased member engagement and communication to streamlined operations and data collection.
By leveraging a platform like Glue Up, you can efficiently create a customized app that meets the specific needs of your organization and its members. With the right features, design, and promotion, an association app can be a powerful tool for driving member value and achieving your association's goals.
To learn more about how Glue Up’s association's apps can streamline your workflows and help you achieve success, feel free to get a demo here. Take the first step towards enhancing your association's digital presence and providing a superior member experience by exploring the possibilities of a mobile app today.
