What Indie Founders Can Learn From the Growth Mechanics Behind Online Gaming Platforms
It’s not a secret that the iGaming industry including online pokies Australia is one of the prominent developers of user acquisition and retention mechanics. None of the other spheres can conquer with gambling in such techniques. Monetization here strongly depends on whether the player remains a constant user and returns back. Indie founders can freely borrow a set of proven behaviour patterns which might easily replace the whole growth-team and large scale A/B testing.
Why to look specifically at iGaming?
Modern gambling operators provide testing on numerous playing sessions each day, finding out the most efficient return triggers, onboarding flows and progression systems, in result only the most effective ones concerning retention remain in the market.
What is important: you don’t have to copy the product like online pokies Australia itself but to catch the main principle of behaviour pattern that is used in it. Such methods are versatile and can be used in general behaviour psychology in different spheres, iGaming is just one of its fields for testing and a good example of its concentrated appliance.
Onboarding
iGaming platforms are mostly directed by the time-to-value principle and try to engage users during their first 60-90 seconds spent on the site. Progressive disclosure is the main instrument in this case as the visitors don't get the opportunity to consume the full functionality of the resource at once. At first they should see the trainee levels which always end with winnings and only then more complicated and interesting mechanics are revealed.
If we transfer these techniques from online pokies Australia to SaaS products then the principle remains the same: the first stage of onboarding should provide some noticeable result instead of asking to fill in the registration form or profile. If your product demonstrates aha-moment on the fourth or further step then it’s a clear case for sequence review and clearing of extra steps.
Progression system and streaks
The right motivation is a key element in the progression system of iGaming. One-off rewards are no longer effective and the trajectory of progress shows much better results. To provide this operators use progress levels, loyalty systems with ranks, badges and daily rewards. Players of online pokies Australia remain motivated from the sense of movement and unfinished business which triggers them to move forward and complete it.
In the product context this principle is clearly visible in the language-learning and productivity apps, a streak counter motivates users for daily visits far better than app notifications or email reminders.
In the case of SaaS good results can be achieved by the help of progress bars in profile settings or milestone-system for teams. But mind that the progress chart should be honest without artificial inflation. Otherwise if users notice this fact the product will quickly lose their trust and dedication.
Behavior-based return triggers
Gambling platforms usually don’t have scheduled mailing lists concerning their regular visitors, instead they track players’ activity and use newsletters in case it drops. For example, if a user didn’t sign in and played online pokies Australia for a few days he receives a notification with some special relevant offer that is based on his recent sessions.
In the sphere of digital business behavior-based emails trigger better rather than regular mass emailing. Information should be delivered clearly and accessible for clients to see the proposed perspective: “ You haven’t used the X option last week – here is a specific case how it manages to save your time and provide bigger profit.” The main metric to track in this issue is the amount of users that return precisely after trigger, not the mass email open rate.
Referral programs & Leaderboards
If we talk about the cheapest influence methods that do not demand big budgets and investments – referral channels are the best variant. In gaming these are referral bonuses for each new member and leaderboards with results of tournaments and big wins from online pokies in Australia that encourage other players for new sessions.
In Saas products such technique means creating a simple program that starts from one click. Referral cases may be applied both to teams and separate users.
What to avoid
Don’t rush to bluntly borrow all known iGaming mechanics. As hidden terms of subscription, artificial FOMO and other manipulations earlier or sooner will be revealed and ruin the company's reputation as well as clients’ trust. And these are things that can’t be restored easily and quickly.
There is no hidden secret or unique technologies in iGaming, instead this market relies on behaviour patterns which they tested on millions of users. Indie founders don’t have to replicate such testing, just a simple adaptation of one of mechanics will bring increased retention results.
