Introduction
Mobile apps have become an indispensable part of the modern cinema experience, offering benefits for both movie theaters and their customers. Custom-built apps provide cinema owners with an effective way to increase engagement, drive ticket and concession sales, build loyalty, and gain valuable data insights. For moviegoers, cinema apps make the process of discovering movies, purchasing tickets, and ordering food incredibly seamless and convenient. With capabilities like digital ticketing, loyalty programs, and in-app concessions, apps are transforming traditional cinema operations into more streamlined and digitally-driven businesses. This article will explore the key features of custom cinema apps and how they can help engage customers to boost revenue.
Key Capabilities of Custom Cinema Apps
Custom mobile apps enable cinemas to provide moviegoers with an exceptional digital experience. Some of the main capabilities include:
- Allow easy booking and buying of movie tickets
- Provide showtimes, cinema locations, and seating maps
- Offer special promotions, discounts, and loyalty programs
- Enable quick concessions ordering and payment
- Send push notifications about new movies, events, etc.
- Provide maps and directions to the cinema
Convenient Digital Ticketing
One of the biggest value propositions of cinema apps is the ability to facilitate digital ticketing. Key features include:
- Search movies and showtimes
- Select seats on an interactive map
- Store payment info for expedited checkout
- Gain access with digital ticket on phone
- Reduce waits at box office with fewer physical tickets
Digital ticketing makes the ticket purchasing process quick and seamless for customers. It also helps theaters reduce operational costs associated with printing and processing physical tickets.
Engaging Content and Updates
Cinema apps serve as a valuable entertainment hub for moviegoers where they can:
- Browse trailers, reviews, and cast info
- Get notified about new releases and events
- Learn about special screenings and director Q&As
- Read exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content
- Watch film clips and behind-the-scenes footage
By continually providing fresh, engaging content like premiere reminders, trivia games, and cast interviews, cinemas can foster stronger connections with customers and encourage them to visit the app more frequently.
Loyalty and Rewards Integration
Integrating loyalty and rewards programs is a powerful way to increase customer retention. Cinema apps can:
- Earn points for purchases and app activity
- Get personalized offers and perks like free popcorn
- Redeem points for free tickets, concessions, etc.
- Gain VIP status for additional benefits like priority seating
- Track loyalty balances and reward status
Rewarding customers for their loyalty incentivizes them to keep using the cinema's services. Gamification elements like status levels and redeemable points enhance engagement.
Concessions Ordering and Payment
In-app concessions ordering eliminates a major pain point by enabling customers to skip long lines at the theater. Customers can:
- Skip lines by pre-ordering food and drinks
- Make purchases right from assigned seat
- Store payment info like Apple Pay for faster checkout
- Get notifications when order is ready for pickup
- Earn loyalty points on concessions purchases
Concessions account for a huge portion of cinema revenue. Streamlining the ordering process results in more orders and higher customer satisfaction.
Cinema Information and Tools
Apps serve as an informational hub for customers by providing:
- Showtimes, theater locations, and directions
- Parking and transportation options
- Ratings and reviews for films
- Movie watchlists and alerts
- Site maps of theaters and amenities
These utility features help customers plan their visits more conveniently and become more engaged with the cinema's offerings.
Custom App Benefits for Cinemas
Investing in a custom-designed mobile app provides strategic advantages that directly benefit cinemas, including:
- Increase movie ticket and concessions sales
- Build customer loyalty and repeat business
- Get valuable data on customer behavior
- Reduce operational costs and streamline processes
- Strengthen brand identity and visibility
Higher Revenue Generation
Apps help cinemas maximize sales through:
- Sell more tickets by making purchases quick and convenient
- Upsell concessions with in-app ordering capabilities
- Offer special promotions to incentivize purchases
- Gain customer insights to optimize pricing strategies
- Attract new customers with a modern digital experience
Bringing transactions into a seamless mobile experience boosts conversion rates. Customers spend more when checkout is frictionless. Early adopters like AMC Theatres have seen double-digit increases in online ticket sales after launching mobile apps.
Improved Customer Engagement
Mobile apps foster stronger engagement and help build brand loyalty by:
- Communicating with customers directly via push notifications
- Providing exclusive app-only content and perks
- Fostering brand loyalty through rewards programs
- Sending personalized offers based on purchase history
- Enabling social sharing and film reviews
Ongoing communication and personalized experiences make customers feel valued and connected to the brand.
Valuable Data and Insights
The data captured through apps provides invaluable customer intelligence:
- Analyze customer demographics and behavior
- Identify top-selling films and concessions
- Optimize staffing based on peak attendance times
- Refine concessions menu based on popular items
- Measure campaign performance and ad ROIs
These insights inform better business decisions to meet customer needs.
Operational Efficiency
Apps allow cinemas to streamline operations in ways such as:
- Reduce ticket check-ins with mobile entry
- Minimize concessions lines with pre-orders
- Lower costs by digitizing manuals processes
- Improve staff productivity with streamlined operations
- Provide self-service options to customers
Optimized processes reduce expenses while boosting staff efficiency.
Enhanced Brand Visibility
Mobile apps strengthen brand awareness by:
- Reinforcing branding within the app experience
- Growing awareness as customers engage with the app
- Placing ads and offers in a highly visible mobile channel
- Watchword-of-mouth marketing from satisfied customers
- Distributing trailers and content to engaged users
The app serves as a powerful branding and advertising platform.
Best Practices for Cinema Apps
To maximize the impact of their mobile apps, cinemas should follow certain best practices, including:
- Focus on an intuitive, user-friendly interface
- Integrate with existing cinema tech and data systems
- Make the app accessible across iOS and Android
- Provide exclusive member benefits and features
- Actively engage users with fresh, dynamic content
Personalization and Loyalty Features
Loyalty programs are more effective when personalized, such as:
- Offer loyalty tiers with escalating rewards
- Send customized promotions based on activity
- Highlight member-only screenings and discounts
- Provide anniversary rewards and birthday perks
- Gamify the experience with status levels and badges
Tailored rewards make customers feel special and valued.
Ongoing App Improvement
Apps need continuous enhancement over time through:
- Frequently add new features based on feedback
- Fix bugs and optimize performance
- A/B test different interfaces and flows
- Analyze data to refine the user experience
- Keep app updated to work with new OS versions
Customer-driven development ensures the app always meets changing needs.
Social Sharing and Engagement
Social features help cinemas leverage their brand communities:
- Integrate social media sharing capabilities
- Enable user reviews, ratings and reactions
- Create an online user community via forums or groups
- Leverage influencer and celebrity partnerships
- Run creative social contests and campaigns
User-generated content and social buzz drive further app usage.
Expanded Platform Availability
Supporting all major platforms ensures full accessibility:
- Launch apps for both iOS and Android
- Consider versions for tablets and smartwatches
- Explore opportunities like Apple TV or Chromecast apps
- Develop web app versions accessible on all devices
- Ensure seamless experience across platforms
Omni-channel availability meets customers wherever they are.
Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships with other brands can provide valuable cross-promotion:
- Partner with relevant brands for promotions
- Cross-promote with local businesses like restaurants
- Work with media companies for exclusive video content
- Collaborate with payment providers for integrated features
- Leverage analytics firms to maximize data insights
Strategic relationships amplify awareness and drive acquisition.
Conclusion
Custom-built mobile apps provide cinemas with a powerful tool to transform the customer experience and gain a competitive edge. Key benefits like seamless ticket purchases, engaging loyalty programs, streamlined concessions and personalized promotions help drive increased sales and profits. At the same time, cinema apps offer moviegoers an exceptional level of convenience, connectivity and entertainment. By leveraging consumer insights and adopting innovative mobile technology, forward-thinking movie theaters can thrive in today's digital landscape.
For cinemas looking to boost engagement and revenue, Filmgrail's custom cinema apps provide an end-to-end solution packed with capabilities to delight moviegoers. Their expertise in building tailored mobile experiences uniquely positions them to help theaters succeed in the digital age. Learn more about how Filmgrail is reimagining cinema.
