In response to the earlier research and identified pain points
The number of steps from 13. The effort needed for a user to discover the apps. The time needed to set up a notifcation from 52 seconds.
The need for the user to remember to check.
Only relevant content and notifications and brand the service appropriately.
Setup easy and clear. The #freeappoftheweek more discoverable. It require less clicks for more value. A range of notification methods. It open and acessible.
Using google searches and pre-existing knowledge a series of primary and secondary sources for information on the #freeappoftheweek were found.
After the inputs and outputs were sourced I made the decision to use rss feeds as the medium for streamlining the #freeappoftheweek experience into one feed. In theory rss inputs are fed into ifttt a free web service that then pushes the collected data out to twitter, tumblr, a streamlined rss feed and a series of other optional notifications.
The best way to test the service was to build a simplified version of it. After creating accounts with ifttt and twitter, feeds from the official Apple page were used to create a twitter linkup. I.e if apple tweets with info including the variable (X) then copy tweet and tweet out as applefreeapp.
The best way to test the service was to build a simplified version of it. After creating accounts with ifttt and twitter, feeds from the official Apple page were used to create a twitter linkup. I.e if apple tweets with info including the variable (X) then copy tweet and tweet out as applefreeapp.
Hello world! ifttt was used to spot a specific phrase in the official Apple feed and then push out a tweet. Service tweaked further for some miss-fires.
Apple kindly provides a icon grid for use when designing. In order link to the app store the same blue gradient was used.
A range of ideas across three directions mocked up using the Apple design grid as a base. Comparative process of elimination used to reduce the number of options.
Design tweaks made to align with the grid system and Apple gradient applied to the background.
When tested over a three week period, Apple intermittently posted news of the #freeappoftheweek promotion. The solution... expand the service diagram to incorporate more inputs.
2. Some irrelevant notification triggers. 3. Notifications coming too close together
Buffer integration for time split posting. expanded output and notification types to make things as accessible as possible.
Notification sign up process: simplified through a sign up page.
To make things as simple and as clear as possible.
Comparison to aims and metrics.
13
52 seconds
One
Effort to remember.
Irellevant notifications.
No self established brand.
Complex setup.
Low discoverability.
3
28 seconds
Six
Totally automated.
Only relevant content.
Relevant branding.
Easy setup.
More discovery opportunities.