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Find out how deeplinking works, a practice of digital marketing increasingly common. Improve user experience and boost your business with this powerful technique.
Deeplinking is an increasingly common practice in the world of marketing digital. This is the technique of creating links that redirect users directly to a specific page within an application, rather than to its home page. This approach enables users to access relevant content quickly and easily, enhancing their user experience. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how deeplinking works and the different types of links that can be used. benefits it can bring to companies.
What is deeplinking?
Deeplinking is a technique used in the development of mobile and web applications to direct users to specific content within an application or website. website. Unlike traditional links that redirect users to the home page of an application or website, deeplinking takes users directly to a specific page, increasing engagement and user experience.
The main aim of deeplinking is to facilitate access to specific functionalities or targeted content within an application or website, by avoiding the steps of navigation additional. This can be very beneficial for users, as it saves them time and gives them immediate access to what they're looking for.
Why use deeplinking?
Increased user engagement
Deeplinking improves user engagement by providing direct access to relevant content or specific functionalities. By offering a fluid, fast user experience, users are more inclined to interact with the application or website.
Enhanced user experience
By enabling users to access specific content or functionality directly, deeplinking improves the user experience. This prevents users from wasting time unnecessarily navigating the application or website in search of what they want.
Increase in conversion rate
Deeplinking can also increase conversion rate by facilitating access to specific functionalities that may lead users to perform desired actions, such as purchasing a product or subscribing to a membership.
Easy content sharing
Deeplinking makes it easier for users to share specific content. Instead of just sharing the link to the application or website, users can share deeplinked links that direct recipients directly to the specific content being shared.
How does deeplinking work?
Deeplinking works by using specific URLs that redirect users to specific content or functionality within an application or website. These URLs are made up of different elements, such as the base URL, URL schema, application identifier and application-specific parameters.
When a user clicks on a deeplinked link, the device's operating system (iOS, Android, etc.) recognizes the URL pattern and directs the user to the corresponding application. The application then interprets the specific parameters in the URL and displays the content or activates the associated functionality.
The components of deeplinking
Base URL
The base URL is the initial part of the deeplinked URL that identifies the website or application. It is usually followed by the URL scheme and other parameters.
URL schema
The URL pattern is a string of characters that identifies a specific application on a device. Each application has its own unique URL scheme, enabling the operating system to redirect users to the right application when they click on a deeplinked link.
Application identifier
The application identifier is a parameter specific to each application in which the deeplinked URL is embedded. This identifier enables the application to recognize the specific action or content to be displayed when the user is redirected.
Application-specific parameters
Application-specific parameters are elements of the deeplinked URL that provide additional information to the application in order to display the desired content or activate the desired functionality. These parameters can take various forms, such as object identifiers, user information, search filters and so on.
Universal parameters
Universal parameters are settings that can be used to activate a feature or display specific content on different platforms or applications. For example, a deeplinked link can contain universal parameters for opening a messaging application and composing a new message.
Examples of deeplinking on different platforms
Deeplinking on iOS
On iOS, deeplinked links are generally used with the URL scheme "myapp://" to open a specific application. For example, a deeplinked link to open a music app might look like "myapp://music".
Deeplinking on Android
On Android, deeplinked links are generally used with the URL scheme "myapp://open?" followed by an app identifier and specific parameters. For example, a deeplinked link to open a shopping app with a specific product might look like "myapp://open?app=shopping&id=123".
Deeplinking on the web
Deeplinking on the web is used to redirect users to a specific site. mobile application when they access a website from their mobile device. This is usually done using a deeplinked link that includes the application's URL scheme and specific parameters.
The benefits of deeplinking on mobile
Deeplinking on mobile offers many advantages for users and application developers alike. For users, it enables easier and faster access to specific functions and content. For developers, it can increase user engagement, conversion rates and facilitate content sharing.
By giving users direct access to what they're looking for, deeplinking on mobile can also reduce frustration and conversion barriers, which can benefit businesses.
The challenges of deeplinking
However, deeplinking can present certain challenges, notably in terms of cross-device compatibility, technical configuration and inconsistent user experience.
Interdevice compatibility
Deeplinking can be more complex when it comes to directing users to a specific application on different devices and operating systems. Each operating system has its own URL schema and redirection rules, which can make deeplinking more difficult to implement universally.
Technical configuration
Implementing deeplinking requires technical configuration at application and website level, which can be complicated for some developers. Care must be taken to ensure that URL schemas are correctly configured and that specific parameters are correctly interpreted by the application.
Inconsistent user experience
When deeplinking is used inconsistently or poorly configured, it can lead to a confusing or frustrating user experience. For example, if a deeplinked link doesn't work properly or redirects users to the wrong page, this can lead to a loss of trust and lower engagement.
Deeplinking best practices
To make the most of deeplinking, it is important to follow certain best practices, such as :
Choosing the right URL scheme
It is essential to choose a unique and appropriate URL scheme for each application to avoid conflicts and ensure correct redirection of users. It is also important to document and communicate the URL scheme to users and third-party developers.
Use of application-specific parameters
Application-specific parameters must be used judiciously and consistently to ensure that the application displays the desired content or activates the desired functionality. It is important that parameters are well documented and used in a standardized way throughout the application.
Testing and monitoring deeplinked links
It's crucial to regularly test and track deeplinked links to ensure that they are working properly and redirecting users to the right content. Tracking deeplinked links also makes it possible to analyze performance and optimize deeplinking strategies.
Current trends in deeplinking
Deeplinking continues to evolve and adapt to changing new technologies and user needs. Here are just a few of the current trends in deeplinking:
Deeplinking with mobile applications
Deeplinking with mobile applications continues with new features and capabilities. For example, many applications now allow deeplinking to specific screens within the application, offering a more personalized user experience.
Deeplinking with voice assistants
Voice assistants, such as Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa, now offer the ability to navigate apps using voice commands. Deeplinking is used to redirect users to specific sections of the app in response to voice commands.
Deeplinking with social networks
Social networks are increasingly using deeplinking to give users direct access to specific content shared on the platform. For example, clicking on a deeplinked link in an Instagram publication can open the corresponding app and display the shared content.
Conclusion
Deeplinking is a powerful technique for improving engagement and user experience, increasing conversion rates and facilitating content sharing. By offering direct access to specific content and functionality, deeplinking improves the overall user experience and can have a positive impact on a company's bottom line. However, to make the most of deeplinking, it's important to understand its components, follow best practices and stay abreast of current trends. With careful implementation, deeplinking can be a powerful tool for developers and marketers alike.
