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Reframing features to improve perceived value
Using context to boost feature retention
Designing perk flows that reduce churn, not just noise
Premium dating subscriptions, VPN access and weekly sausage rolls—what has happened to banking?
Instead of a single and clear value proposition, premium bank accounts are mostly bundles of loosely connected features and perks.
It's difficult for any individual to browse through a tier comparison table, and assign an expected value to each option. They don't know what they'll use, or what it's worth.
A similar disconnect happens all the time in software (with features), making it much harder to onboard and retain new customers.
Companies grow, they add functionality to appeal to a wider audience, and over time create experiences that feel bloated, unfocused and incoherent.
Perks go unnoticed, users don't perceive features as being relevant or valuable, and the companies are left scratching their heads.
Yes, this is a case study on Monzo, and their unusual pastry giveaway.
But it'll also demonstrate techniques that I've used, in many industries, to increase feature usage, retention and ultimately, alter how users perceive the value of your product.

A behind the scenes look at how I redesigned the Built for Mars sign-up flow, and iterated from early feedback.
The two "obvious" fixes that did nothing
Why you shouldn't always force an input
Why limiting the user's choices can be beneficial
Hinge built its reputation on a single promise: it's the dating app that wants you to leave. This is a breakdown of how the interface is actually engineered to make sure you don't.
How dating apps keep you engaged (not romantically)
The design equivalent of clickbait headlines
How Hinge leverages social scarcity
The challenge for a navigation app isn't to efficiently show you the best route, it's to make you believe that you've found the best route.
How strategy influences design
Waze is cornered, and slowly shrinking
What Apple's strategy appears to be

From rat mazes to coffee apps: why the motivation to reach a reward increases the closer your users get to their goal.
How to use the Goal Gradient Effect
Spinning the flywheel of purchases
Why your rules need to be clear
Sometimes, the best onboarding is no onboarding, and simple products get bogged down with unnecessary explanations. This case study on Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda demonstrates when to just let the user try it for themselves.
Sometimes the best onboarding, is no onboarding
“Show, don’t tell” often beats education
Data can’t always tell you when onboarding is wrong

An analysis of Monzo’s 1p challenge, focusing on the middle slump, where progress slows and motivation quietly fades.
Delight can replace progress, but only temporarily
"The middle" is the real retention problem
Motivation needs contextualised reference points