The problem with founders leading product

You're too smart for your own good

When building software it’s easy to get sucked into get sucked into the weeds of your application, designing features for power users that may not ever materialize. The majority of users will be new and will be focused on a few key tasks when they first join. If those are strenuous then they will get a bad first impression and bounce. If they are not they will at least know you have put thought into the core functionality of your app and will be more forgiving if later tasks are more complex.

If you’ve spent or years months building a product it’s difficult to put yourself in the shoes of a new user. Your brain will have long ago created neural pathways to get around clunky flows. The vague “I should fix that” voice is so quiet at this point it’s barely audible.

Just like that drain stopper you need to position just right to stop the water from escaping…or just me?

Therefore you need to

a. have insane powers of empathy

or

b. ask someone who has never used your app to do stuff and watch them

You need to watch over their shoulder and let them struggle for as long as is humanly possible.

That’s the hard bit.

You may even need to hire someone to do this. The self control needed here is jedi-level.

If you would like to learn more about how Finest City Digital can help you with improving your product experience drop us a line at f@finestcitydigital.com