Is the use of game design techniques and mechanics to solve problems and engage audiences – WikipediaIn essence, it is using people’s inclination to play to make them perform certain actions that they would otherwise find boring. This can be anything from answering a poll, launching an application on their mobile device to teaching new skills to the staff, etc.
So how can you use Gamification to leverage the success of your business?
Without going into a detailed analysis of game mechanics and dynamics, we believe there are mainly two ways Gamification can increase your customers activity and loyalty.
Status badges
Award your customers with status badges for completing certain actions or reaching certain activity levels. Customers can show off their badges by sharing them across social networks – Facebook, Twitter, etc. To maintain customers excitement makes sure to show them what their next goal is as soon as they complete the current one. For example: “You have visited 2 of our shops and got the “Frog the Traveller” badge. Visit all of our shops and get “Columbus!” badge.“ Having a well-defined goal, your customers will try to reach it to receive the next badge and increase their status.
Bonuses
You can also encourage your customer’s activity by giving them bonus points for certain actions. Bonus points can later be exchanged for something tangible – discounts on purchases, free gifts, etc. Customers can share how many bonus points they earned through social networks the same way they do with statuses. Statuses earned can also be converted to bonuses. What other loyalty improvement program costs as little and requires as little effort?
Usage suggestion
Find below several Gamification common implementations:
- Thank the user as soon as he installs your application – he deserved it. Give him his first badge and some virtual currency so that he can try out the advantages of a higher status;
- Give incentive to the user for each of their actions that are useful to your business. For example, if you need to attract customers to one particular store of your chain, give them higher scores for visiting this particular store;
- Use awards — from virtual currency and badges to quite tangible gifts and discounts;
- Introduce most active customer ratings, give them more privileges in service;
- Encourage social connections among customers – and they will come back and bring their friends.
Examples of existing applications using Gamification
Now you can analyze services using Gamification from a new perspective:
- EpicWin – turns scheduling and to-do lists into an indi-game;
- ShopKick – for shopaholics. Uses “walk in” instead of “check in” — entering a shop and marking a product in it;
- Miso – earning badges and scores sitting on your sofa;
- Like buttons on Facebook;
- FourSquare — get badges and statuses for check ins;
- SCVNGR — logical development of Foursquare idea — complete easy tasks, earn scores, get discounts, collect coupons. etc.;
Many content users and clients can confirm that this really works.
Interesting?
Don’t procrastinate and start implementing it now – call us and we will prepare a detailed plan for successful implementation of Gamification techniques into your business.
