Last week, I read an article from Inside Facebook describing the most popular facebook applications in terms of active users and user engagement. This got me thinking; what are those elements that makeup a successful facebook or social media application? What should someone consider and incorporate into their application to really engage and encourage repeat visitors? Here are my thoughts.
A successful Facebook application should:
- Complement and build on features already based in the site – SuperPoke, FunWall and the like do a great job of filling in the gaps and adding features to facebook’s existing functionality.
- Solve a problem – It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but successful applications do a good job of solving small problems. Good examples of this are BigPhoto, Birthday Calendar and Social Profiles (TagK).
- Simple/Low learning curve – Users should have a sense of what the application does without much thought.
- Allow users to create, build and shape the content to fit their desired environment – Animoto Videos does an excellent job of this. They simply give the user the tools to create and build off of the content the user already has.
- Requires a second person to be successful – Facebook already does a good job of this in general, but applications like Scrabulous that almost require a 2nd person to play can really help to exponentially grow an application.
- Competitive element - Bragging rights are what its all about. Users want their achievements blasted across their network. They want to be the best and be recognized for it. See Bowling Buddies.
- Provides value to user – Work to answer what’s in it for them?
What do you think a successful facebook application should have? What are the applications that you think do a good job of it? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
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