Mobile app toolkit: Launching and promoting your mobile app

Your intranet doesn’t stop at the desktop, and neither should your communications. The Simpplr mobile app bridges the connection gap for frontline, remote, and hybrid employees, putting company updates, resources, and recognition in everyone’s pocket.

This guide walks you through the key steps to launching your mobile app, and approaches in having sustained mobile engagement. Throughout the article, we will mention some resources and have created templates for you to use with your teams. 

If you're just getting started with your mobile app, we recommend reading the entire article. 

If you’ve already launched your mobile app, and are looking for ways to promote it further with your employees, jump to the section called "Promoting your mobile app and maintaining ongoing momentum." 

Why mobile matters for every workforce 

Whether your teams are in the field or at a desk, mobile access empowers everyone to stay connected and informed.

Here’s why your mobile app is essential: 

• Real-time updates: Employees receive notifications instantly, ensuring they never miss critical information.

• On-the-go accessibility: The app makes content available to everyone, even those without company laptops.

• Integrated, personalized experience: Features like content, dashboards, search, recognition, and multilingual translation give employees access to everything they need.

• Boosted engagement: Employees gain new opportunities to connect in ways that are accessible and convenient for them, wherever they are.

Tie mobile adoption to strategic goals

It is important to connect the dots between daily/monthly usage to business objectives. Here are a few ways the rollout of your mobile app can help you achieve your goals: 

1. Expand communication reach

2. Increase employee engagement and belonging

3. Improve frontline enablement

4. Support change management and organizational alignment

5. Modernize the digital employee experience

Before you launch your mobile app - be sure to check out these pre-launch resources

1. Are you deploying the branded app or non-branded (native) app? 

Depending on what you’ve purchased in your contract, you will have a different set of setup criteria. Your implementation or customer success team will be able to help you identify what you have in your contract if you are unsure which version of the mobile app you have. 

We’ve outlined the help articles to guide you through the setup process of the branded mobile app or the native app: 

Native app - read these setup instructions

• Simpplr native app setup instructions and required permissions

• Differences between Simpplr desktop version and mobile app

• Content and mobile app promotion via QR code

• Mobile analytics dashboard

Branded app - read these setup instructions 

• Branded mobile app overview and requirements

• MAM with InTune

• Differences between Simpplr desktop version and mobile app

• Content and mobile app promotion via QR code

• Mobile analytics dashboard

2. Choose your mobile app distribution path 

When it comes to getting your mobile app into the hands of employees, how you distribute it matters. Whether your organization has a fully managed device program or a bring-your-own device (BYOD) environment, there is a path for you. 

Let’s break down the two most common approaches to app distribution: 

Option 1: App store download 

Manual downloads through links to app stores or QR codes are best for companies with personal devices or hybrid environments. Many organizations that use manual distribution methods see success when they pair it with strong internal promotion. 

Benefits of manual download: 

• Works well in BYOD organizations

• Gives employees flexibility on when to download

Best practices: 

• Turn on mobile promotion in your Simpplr intranet so it’s easy for employees to download the app

• Use QR codes on flyers, posters, signage, and instant messaging platforms

• Offer clear step-by-step instructions on where to find the app, how to log in, and why it matters

Mobile app distribution methods at a glance 

Launching your mobile app 

Consider launching your mobile app in phases 

Once your mobile app is setup and ready for distribution, we recommend using a phased approach to test, learn, and scale adoption. This is especially helpful for large, distributed, or change-resistant organizations. 

When you officially launch your intranet and mobile app, you will go live with all employees. Many of our customers will focus their communication and employee enablement on specific audiences, so that employees feel comfortable with the rollout. 

A successful launch hinges on consistent, creative, multichannel communication that makes it easy and exciting for employees to get started. 

Your internal campaign should answer three key questions for employees: 

• ✅ What is the mobile app?

• ✅ Why should I use the mobile app?

• ✅ How do I get the mobile app? 

Quick checklist: what to include in your comms

Your communications need to clarify what the app offers, why it matters, and how to get started. Create focused, actionable messages that give employees everything they need to take the next step.

Ensure each communication includes these key elements:

• ✅ App name and QR code or download links

• ✅ Key benefits and use cases

• ✅ Instructions to log in

• ✅ Support contact for troubleshooting

• ✅ Encouragement from leadership or peers 

Simpplr Templates to use to help build your campaign 

These templates are made to help you get started in creating your initial campaign. You can update the logo, tag line, and background image for each of these templates. Click on the links below to download: 

• Mobile app benefits roadshow deck

• Mobile app overview/training deck

• Mobile app digital signage templates

• Mobile app print posters templates

• Mobile app Slack campaign templates

• Mobile app teaser video 

Templates and when to use   

Mix your channels and repeat the message

Employees consume information in different ways, especially when they are dispersed across locations, shifts, and roles. Use a variety of communication methods to reach them where they are. 

Consider these key channels for your mobile app campaign:

• Email announcements

• Intranet banners or homepage announcements

• Digital signage and TV monitors

• Printed flyers and posters

• Slack/Teams messages

• Onboarding packets

Use a sprint-style campaign that reminds and reinforces adoption over two to four weeks and then once or twice a year to maintain engagement. Most employees need multiple exposures to a message before taking action, so plan your communication schedule to include frequent touchpoints across various platforms.

Create buzz with on-brand messaging 

Your campaign should match your company’s tone and culture. Find creative ways to make it exciting, relevant, and fun. 

Here are ways to infuse your launch with energy:

• Use taglines like “Your intranet. Anywhere.” or “Stay connected on the go.”

• Highlight benefits such as “Get company news,” “Find what you need in seconds,” or “Never miss a shout-out.” 

Connect the app to everyday work situations employees actually face. Use language and build a story that resonates with your employee base. 

Here are a few example “why” statements to include in your rollout communications: 

• Access time off requests, policies, and shift updates in just a few taps.

• Find important resources like safety protocols, installation instructions, and equipment manuals.

• Get instant updates on company news, sales promotions, hot jobs, and learning opportunities.

• Look up coworkers in the directory and get answers fast with easy access to the help desk.

• Get recognized, stay in the loop, and never miss a team moment.

Turn the launch into an event 

People are busy. A simple message that says “Download the app!” can get buried under an influx of emails and notifications. But turning your mobile app launch into a memorable moment? That gets attention and adoption.

Here are ways to bring energy and visibility to your mobile app launch: 

• Create a countdown using banners and teaser posts in Slack/Teams

• Host a launch day activation station

• Recognize the first team or department to reach 100% downloads

• Scavenger hunt using content QR codes throughout the office

Bonus: Encourage employees to post photos or share stories of their day-to-day experiences. By transforming your rollout into an engaging and memorable moment, you’ll turn a tactical launch into a cultural touchpoint.

Promoting your mobile app and maintaining ongoing momentum  

Launch doesn’t stop at download; it’s only the beginning. For your mobile app to truly deliver on its promise of connection, community, and productivity, it needs to become part of your employees’ everyday flow. That means thoughtfully integrating mobile-friendly communications into your intranet strategy over time, not only during launch week.  

The goal? Make the app so useful, familiar, and relevant that employees want to open it again and again. Think beyond announcements and news feeds. Use your mobile app to support employees in the moments that matter most. 

Here are ways to keep the momentum going after download: 

• Send push notifications for time-sensitive, actionable content

• Share mobile-first employee recognition stories

• Include mobile tips in your newsletters

• Promote content using QR codes

Promoting your mobile app 

It is important to intentionally reinforce your mobile app at key moments throughout the year, especially if you are looking to drive continued adoption. Creating buzz and encouraging regular use helps embed the app into daily routines, especially for employees who aren’t at a desk. 

Here are some creative ways our customers drive ongoing mobile engagement: 

• Did you know campaigns are used semi-annually to spotlight mobile app features, drive re-engagement, and remind employees of the value of accessing the intranet on the go. These quick-hit campaigns often include tips, videos, or use cases that resonate with frontline and hybrid teams.

• Start strong with new hires. Leading customers also integrate mobile app download and training into their new hire onboarding. By making the app part of day-one setup, companies ensure employees are equipped from the start to access updates, resources, and their people, no matter where they work.

• Launch a dedicated mobile-first site dashboard for “on the go” teams, with quick access to tools, resources, and content. For example, you might have a sales team that needs access to specific things when they are on the go. Consider creating a personalized site dashboard that has tiles that look like buttons, and use the site carousel to promote important updates.

• Host mobile-first or mobile-only events, like a Sales kick-off or project/product launch campaign. Host events in your mobile app and send out notifications to members to drive engagement to content and participation. Post recordings and create a curated newsletter with a daily recap to give members a sense of the information shared each day of the event.

• Share leadership updates and create video/audio updates wherever possible. This allows people to listen to updates while they are on the go, versus reading an update from leaders. Utilize push notifications and must-reads where needed.

• Celebrate frontline-focused initiatives like safety week, and invite people to post photos or best practices directly into an album from their phones. Be sure to use digital signage and posters to help promote this campaign in break rooms and throughout the office. We also recommend enabling frontline supervisors with the timeline of this campaign prior to launching it with all frontline workers.

• Empower people managers with a mobile enablement playbook. Utilize screenshots from the mobile app roadshow deck, or mobile app overview training deck in content and training materials so they are setup to help their teams adopt the mobile app. Equip people managers with best practices to model mobile app usage, like recognizing team wins, posting video updates, sharing content, or how to use the people directory. 

Strategic, timely reinforcement makes the mobile app more than just another tool; it becomes a vital part of how your teams stay connected, informed, and inspired.