The Power of User Experience: Insights from Pinterest and Top Onboarding Apps

The Power of User Experience: Insights from Pinterest and Top Onboarding Apps

Introduction:
User experience (UX) plays a crucial role in the success of any platform or application. Two notable examples of companies that have capitalized on enhancing UX are Pinterest and popular onboarding apps. In this article, we will explore the common points between Pinterest's Q4 2020 earnings call and the insights shared by the Mercari Product Manager on top onboarding apps.

Pinterest's Impressive Growth and Revenue:
Pinterest experienced significant growth in Q4 2020, with monthly active users (MAUs) reaching 460 million, a 37% increase compared to the previous year. The company added 100 million users in 2020 alone, demonstrating its strength with Gen Z. Furthermore, Pinterest's revenue rose by 76% year over year, reaching $706 million.

The Importance of Inspiration and Intent:
For Pinterest, inspiration is the cornerstone of their platform. Users come to Pinterest seeking ideas and inspiration for various projects, such as home remodeling or fashion choices. Unlike other platforms where ads can be seen as a distraction, ads on Pinterest enhance the user experience. This is because users visit the platform with the intention to purchase, making relevant ads valuable to both consumers and advertisers.

Investing in Video and Shopping:
Pinterest recognizes the power of video as the default format for users seeking inspiration. Investments in video have resulted in a significant increase in video views and uploads. Moreover, Pinterest aims to enable traders to publish directly on the platform, further expanding its capabilities in video content. Additionally, the company is investing in shopping features, acknowledging the potential for users to discover and purchase products directly through the platform.

The Need for Better Agency Tools:
One pain point highlighted during Pinterest's earnings call was the lack of a comprehensive agency tool. Advertisers and agencies desire better access options and granular permission control for managing business accounts. Addressing this need can significantly improve the user experience for agencies and enhance their ability to collaborate effectively on Pinterest.

Insights from Top Onboarding Apps:
In a separate article, a Mercari Product Manager shares insights on exceptional onboarding experiences provided by popular apps. Reflectly, Duolingo, Twitter, and Shazam are examples of apps that excel in their onboarding processes.

Reflectly: Known for its soothing onboarding experience, Reflectly focuses on providing a calming and healing environment for users.

Duolingo: Duolingo sets the standard for onboarding with its engaging and effective language learning process. Microinteractions and core experiences are carefully crafted to ensure a seamless learning journey.

Twitter: Twitter's onboarding process prioritizes user engagement by leveraging bandwagon effects. Incorporating follower counts during account setup encourages users to follow more accounts, increasing their initial engagement.

Shazam: This app aims to deliver a fast and efficient onboarding experience, ensuring users complete the process within a short timeframe, typically 15 seconds to a few minutes.

Connecting the Dots:
Although Pinterest and the top onboarding apps operate in different domains, there are notable connections between their approaches. Both emphasize the importance of providing a seamless and engaging user experience. Pinterest's focus on inspiration aligns with the desire of onboarding apps to captivate and retain users from the very beginning.

Actionable Advice:

1. Prioritize inspiration: If you have a product or service, ensure that it offers inspiration and valuable content to your users. This can enhance their overall experience and increase the likelihood of conversions.

2. Invest in video: As video becomes the default format for users seeking inspiration, consider incorporating video content into your platform. This can facilitate engagement and broaden your audience reach.

3. Improve agency tools: If you collaborate with advertising agencies, prioritize providing comprehensive tools and granular permission control. This will enable agencies to manage business accounts effectively, leading to better collaboration and campaign outcomes.

Conclusion:
User experience is a critical factor in the success of any platform or application. By learning from the growth strategies of companies like Pinterest and the insights shared by top onboarding apps, businesses can enhance their UX, engage users more effectively, and drive better results. Prioritizing inspiration, investing in video, and improving agency tools are actionable steps that can contribute to a successful user experience.