My Library Experience
2023
Galatea is Inkitt's sister app, recognized as the world’s fastest-growing reading app, with millions of active readers devouring over 40 million chapters per month. Authors who initially publish their books on the Inkitt app are able to monetize their work through Galatea.
As a part of the product team responsible for Galatea, a good opportunity arose to increase user engagement and retention targeting lowering our CAC, me and my product manager were tasked with make it happen.
Problem
Upon analyzing our data, we discovered that 70% of users engaged with multiple books simultaneously. However, due to the absence of efficient organizational features, 45% of these users discontinued their reading sessions prematurely, leading to a 25% decrease in app revisits within a month.
Process
01 Research and Discovery
Initially, started talking to users and identified a significant pain point where users found it challenging to keep track of multiple books, especially with the countdown timer with have for the freemium experience, resulting in frustration and potential abandonment.
Close collaboration with the customer service team also proved invaluable in gaining a better understanding of users' pain points.
Our hypothesis was that by implementing reading lists, we could enhance user engagement and retention by providing a solution for users to organize their reading materials effectively.
02 Benchmarking
I conducted an analysis to observe how leading apps such as Spotify, Amazon Kindle, Blinkist and Wattpad approached similar user experiences.
03 User Flow
To optimize time and ensure maximum efficiency, I prioritized aligning all aspects of the project, including flow, user experience, and technical considerations, before delving into interface design.
My initial step involved creating a simple and comprehensive flowchart outlining the feature's functionality. This flowchart underwent regular review sessions with PMs and Engineers to identify potential gaps and anticipate any blockers that could impede progress.
Initial flow.
Iterations
Initially, our biggest focus was on streamlining navigation. However, user research and testing revealed that user satisfaction hinged not just on ease of navigation, but also on intuitive management of reading materials. We swiftly adjusted our approach, prioritizing user confidence in creating and adding books to lists.
This insight led to interface refinements, ensuring clarity and user control throughout the process. By integrating feedback, we've crafted an experience that empowers users and enhances their reading journey.
Design and experience iterations.
Design Solution
We ultimately arrived at a design solution that not only addresses previous shortcomings but also elevates the overall user experience to new heights of functionality and intuitiveness.
Navigation from home.
Library.
Creating a list.
Editing/Deleting a list.
Adding a book from the reader.
Results & Impact
Increased User Engagement
01. Average time spent on the app per session increased by 20%.
02. Frequency of app visits rose by 15% within the first month of the redesigned feature rollout.
03. Number of interactions with the "My Library" feature increased by 25% compared to the previous version.
Improved Retention Rates:
01. Percentage of returning users increased by 30%.
02. Churn rate decreased by 10% in the three months following the feature redesign.
Customer Acquisition Cost
Retained users provided more opportunities for organic growth through word-of-mouth referrals.
Conversion rate of users who downloaded the app and started using it increased by 15%.
Want to try the feature or just to get to know more about the Galatea? Download the app:
