"Unveiling the Secrets of Product Critique: Understanding User Desires and Behavior"

"Unveiling the Secrets of Product Critique: Understanding User Desires and Behavior"

Introduction:
To create a great product, it is crucial to gain a deep understanding of people's desires and observe how they interact with the product. By being curious about people, we can uncover valuable insights that will help us build better and more successful products. This article will explore the core tenets of product critique and shed light on the importance of understanding user desires and behavior.

First Impressions and Value Proposition:
When evaluating a new app, our initial impressions play a significant role in determining its value proposition and marketing efforts. Most opinions of a product are formed within the first few minutes of interaction. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a quick run-through to assess whether the app provides value, is user-friendly, and feels well-crafted. This initial assessment provides valuable insights into the product's strengths and weaknesses.

Seeking Additional Perspectives:
Gaining multiple perspectives is a valuable practice in product critique. By reading reviews, comments in blogs, and tweets about a specific app, we can learn what works and what doesn't in the broader market. These external viewpoints provide fresh insights and help us identify potential areas for improvement. Seeking additional perspectives is an excellent way to stay informed about trends and user preferences.

The Power of Observation:
Observation is a key aspect of developing better product instincts. There is no shortcut to honing our skills other than keen and close observation. Great experiences do not happen by happenstance; they are the result of designers and product thinkers who truly understand people. By observing what motivates and delights users, we can create products that resonate with their needs and desires.

The Pitfalls of Consumer Product Metrics:
Consumer product metrics often fall short in capturing the true success or failure of a product. For instance, a typical product may experience a high percentage of users refusing to sign up, and even among those who do sign up, a significant portion become inactive over time. Mobile apps may have better engagement metrics but lower upfront conversion rates. It is crucial to understand the limitations of these metrics to avoid misinterpreting the true value of a product.

Importance of User Engagement:
Engaging users is a constant challenge for product creators. Many users are not active on a daily basis and may churn or only be active a few days per month. It is considered a success if more than 10% of total users return every day. However, the reality is that engagement rates are often much lower, sometimes as low as 5% or even less. To improve engagement, it is essential to tie the product into users' pre-existing behaviors, rather than asking them to adopt new habits.