Dogfooding: How Putting Yourself in the User’s Shoes Changes the Way You See Your Product

Dogfooding: How Putting Yourself in the User’s Shoes Changes the Way You See Your Product

In the world of product development, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of creating something new. We pour our time, effort, and resources into building a product that we believe will change the lives of our users. But sometimes, in our pursuit of innovation, we forget to step back and see our product from the perspective of those who will actually use it.

This is where the concept of dogfooding comes in. Dogfooding, or eating your own dog food, is the practice of using your own product as if you were a regular user. By immersing yourself in the user experience, you gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your product.

When a team at Ancestry was faced with the task of using their own tool for work communication, they quickly realized the pain points and limitations of the product. By putting themselves in the shoes of their users, they were able to identify blind spots and come up with solutions to address them. This real, practical experience of using their own product gave them a deeper understanding of its flaws and a clearer vision of how to improve it.

One common pitfall that many product developers fall into is losing sight of what it's like to be a new user. When we spend so much time working on our product, we become intimately familiar with its features and functionalities. We forget that not everyone has the same level of knowledge and understanding that we do. This can lead to overlooking issues that may be obvious to an outsider.

To combat this, it is essential to regularly sign up for your own service using a brand new account. By doing this every few months, you stay up-to-date on the user experience and remind yourself that there is always more to learn and improve. By putting yourself in the shoes of a new user, you can identify the pitfalls and challenges that they may encounter. Is the product easy to use? Does it feel intuitive? These are questions that can only be answered by experiencing the product firsthand.

Having customer empathy is a crucial aspect of product development. It means looking beyond our own perspectives and seeing the product through the eyes of our users. This is particularly important when building products for a global audience. We must remember that not everyone has access to the same technology or resources. By incorporating a global mindset, we can ensure that our products are inclusive and accessible to all.

Now, let's shift our focus to another example that highlights the power of a unique approach to product development. The Poparazzi photo app has gained popularity by taking a different approach to social media. Instead of allowing users to post photos of themselves, the app insists on collaboration and encourages users to tag their friends.

This unique twist on traditional photo sharing has resonated with users who are tired of the self-centered nature of social media. By making creation social, Poparazzi has created a true social network where users become the paparazzi for their friends. This not only adds an element of fun and excitement, but it also promotes the idea of hyping up your friends instead of seeking validation for yourself.

The app's design and features also contribute to its success. The absence of captions, hashtags, and comments allows the scenes captured in the photos to speak for themselves. This simplicity puts the focus back on the content and encourages users to capture authentic moments rather than curating a perfect image. The machine gun vibrations and awkward frames in between shots add to the experience, making users feel like real photographers striving for the perfect shot.

Furthermore, the app takes a refreshing approach to metrics and follower counts. Profiles do not display the number of followers someone has, shifting the focus from popularity and status to simply having fun. This creates a more inclusive and less competitive environment where users can feel free to express themselves without the pressure of gaining followers.

However, like any product, Poparazzi has its own set of challenges and concerns. The app automatically follows everyone in the user's phone book, which can be seen as a growth hack but also raises privacy issues. Users may find themselves following people they don't care about or even individuals they would be embarrassed to follow on a social app. Striking the right balance between growth and privacy is crucial for the long-term success and trust of the app.

In conclusion, the concept of dogfooding and putting yourself in the user's shoes is a powerful tool for product development. By immersing ourselves in the user experience, we gain valuable insights and identify blind spots that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. It is important to regularly sign up for your own service as a new user to stay up-to-date on the experience and constantly strive for improvement.

Additionally, having customer empathy and a global mindset is essential for building inclusive and accessible products. By understanding and considering the perspectives of users from different backgrounds and circumstances, we can create products that truly cater to their needs.

To apply these insights to your own product development process, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Regularly use your own product as a new user to identify blind spots and areas for improvement. Put yourself in the shoes of your users and experience the product firsthand.

2. Foster customer empathy by considering the perspectives of users from different backgrounds and circumstances. This will help you build inclusive and accessible products that cater to the needs of a diverse audience.

3. Embrace collaboration and encourage users to engage with each other. By making creation social, you can create a more authentic and fulfilling user experience.

By incorporating these principles into your product development process, you can gain a deeper understanding of your users and create products that truly resonate with them. Remember, the success of your product lies in the hands of your users, so it's essential to see the world through their eyes.