The gig platforms hate it, because it offers transparency to drivers as well as giving some power back to them. But despite the cease-and-desist letters they’ve sent Para, it’s still around and thriving, with over 400,000 downloads and 100,000 active weekly users.
App Alerts
- Don’t just design a pretty app; you need to target your ideal user. Designing your app with your specific user in mind will ensure that the people who actually use your app love it, and don’t delete it the second a “low storage” warning pops up.
- Keep analytics accessible. You want to have access to your app’s analytics from the get-go. The more you know about how people are using the app, when, where, and how often, etc., the sooner you can tweak, target, and optimize it. Many people add on analytics after the app is built and running, but that’s really wasteful.
- Security matters. If people don’t feel safe, they won’t use your app, no matter how cool it is. Also, do you really want to get hacked or phished after investing so much? Make sure you have clear security protocols in place.
- Offer transparency. You and I and everyone else knows that no one reads the small print about user data. So while you may be in the clear legally, being up front about what data you collect from your users and what you do with it will only get people to love and trust you more. So speak up!
- Personalization. Dale Carnegie was on to something. There’s nothing as sweet as hearing your own name. People love programs that are tailor-made to their interests, or offers put together just for them. If you can personalize the app experience — do it!
- Dumb it down. It’s K-I-S-S all over again — keep it simple and stupid. If people have to figure out your app, they’re gone. Invest in UI and UX to make it easy for people to stick around.
- Build “Force Upgrade” in your app from the get-go. This way, all users’ apps will update automatically, and you won’t have people complaining it crashed when all they needed was the latest version of your app. This ties in with ideas 4 and 6.
- Make sure you match. Your app should have the same vibe and feel as your website and social media presence. Stay consistent or you’ll lose your users’ trust.
What’s up with WhatsApp
WhatsApp is looking to expand its business capabilities and offerings, hoping to make money off an app that’s currently free. Soon businesses will have the ability to accept payments on WhatsApp, making it easier to communicate and transact with customers.
After a trial run in Brazil (their biggest market with 150 million users), the platform plans to roll out an app directory of businesses, even offering a local-search feature so companies can see which companies are near them.
If you were looking for a reason to leave the platform, do it now, before it gets even harder.
