You Built A Great Product. What Next?
Comments(0)Features after features are probably what all software companies are always pursuing. It’s understandable, because the need to set your product/service apart and ahead is critical. Instead of running the features race to gain leadership, I’ve recently discovered another key in keeping your users/customers happy while using your product/service.
After a departure a year ago, I began to use Netvibes again lately. It was very nice to see the new Netvibes providing much more customisable features from what I used to remember. I found myself wanting to spend more time in it, customise my interface and personalise it so that my digital life will have a home.
It felt like my digital home! 
Yesterday, when Google announced that they rolled out themes for Gmail, again I was elated! Without realising, I spent the next hour, sacrificing my precious bedtime, to look through all the details of the themes and design, savouring them for what they’re worth. These are still presets; I can’t imagine how much time I will spend if I can get my hands onto the finest details. 
And yes I know that the labs feature in Gmail have been there very long, but yup, I just tried them out yesterday too. The level of customisation that I did to my Gmail has made me an even happier user to their already great service. Frankly, I would even just pop by my mailbox just to look at _my_ new interface. *loL~*
Gmail Themes
So what’s the point that I’m driving? I think there’s a certain level of importance in bringing customisability to your product/service. After building your great product/service, the next step that you cannot overlook is allowing your users/customers to personalise the environment.
Once they feel at home, it’s unlikely they will leave for another product/service. It’s that sense of human touch that makes you happy while using it. 
On a separate note, I should be writing an article on how to personalise your FDT environment very soon. For the sake of whetting, here’s how your FDT environment might look like.
