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Diabetes UK Tracker Smartphone app. "This app is so focused and simple, yet it's ingenious. I loved the way they tested the product with Facebook users.” Third Sector Excellence Awards judging panel. 28 March 2013 @ diabetesuk # duktracker. “We should do an app...”.
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Diabetes UK Tracker Smartphone app "This app is so focused and simple, yet it's ingenious. I loved the way they tested the product with Facebook users.”Third Sector Excellence Awards judging panel 28 March 2013 @diabetesuk #duktracker
Should we really do an app? • Wary that apps were just a ‘flash in the pan’: • “A project, person, etc, that enjoys only short lived success.” • “Something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning.” • Whole process is a bit like panning for gold.
Before development • Desk-based research. • Asked our Facebook community. • Open brief to agencies. • Chose research-focused agency. • Then did even more research!
Concept and development • Concept – meet two main needs: • Simple recording of levels. • Easy sharing of info. • iPhone first – based on mobile traffic. • Took about six months. • Regular meetings with key people. • Prototyping with Facebook and our forum. • User testing during development.
Diabetes UK Tracker app for iPhone v1 • ‘Souped-up’ notebook. • Quick and simple to use. • Suited to mobile. • Look for simple solutions – eg photos of meals. • Talking points. • Easy to share by email and social media.
First year - September 2011 to August 2012 • Target of 5,000 app downloads in first year. • Actual: • 25,318 app downloads in first year. • 19,389 updates downloaded in first year. • Recommended by NHS for GPs to ‘prescribe’ to patients. • Third Sector Excellence Award winner.
User feedback • “I have been using the tracker app for over a year now and find it excellent for tracking not only my diabetic information but also for my training and weight control.” • “Just downloaded - really helpful and actually fun!!” • “I really want to commend you on a great tracking solution ... something that really works and solves the logging pain. So well done!” • “I am totally lost without the app!’
Ongoing evaluation and development • Encourage feedback via email and social media. • Listen and respond, keep in touch. • Spot and fix bugs. • Collate and prioritise all our users’, our agency’s and our own suggestions. • Use as basis for further development.
Developments – year two • Users and Diabetes UK had same priorities: • Android version / Open up to more devices • Ability to export data. • Launched iPhone update and Android version in February 2013. • New features, for both versions. • Improved analytics with Flurry package.
Teething troubles • Some initial bugs – got users involved to fix them. • “Thanks so much for keeping me updated with progress! It's astonishing quite how much one relies on one's diabetes gadgetry!” • “Nobody's perfect! software is always buggy in some form or another... it keeps programmers in their jobs! lol ;) ... its worth the wait for such a great and useful app!! keep your spirits high! it keeps us going :D”
Stats to date • iPhone app (19 months): • 36,980 app downloads. • 52,233 update downloads. • Android app (first month): • 2,142 app downloads.
Possible future developments • Mobile-optimised website? • Desktop companion for existing app? • Integration with our CRM?
Keys to our success • Think – do we really need an app? If so: • Involve your community right from the start and throughout. • Do as much research as possible. • Set a clear measure of success – downloads, reviews, ratings, etc. • Don’t charge for the app. • Encourage feedback from users. • Listen and evaluate. • Base developments on feedback. • Keep users informed, especially with bug fixes.
Not just a flash in the pan • “... whilst you are unlikely to have a *really* big app, and the costs of creating, maintaining and marketing it across multiple OSes are bigger than you might think, there are still opportunities to get real engagement and long-term loyalty if you deliver a great app that serves a particular need.” • Ashley Friedlein, Econsultancy blog, 8 Jan 2013
Diabetes UK Tracker Smartphone app @diabetesuk #duktracker www.diabetes.org.uk