“Designing for Place” is all about how user context around venues and locations can be used to dramatically alter mobile user experiences by place. It is the solution for differentiating apps, reducing friction, getting more engagement, monetizing, and getting to the user’s home screen. Retail apps with features like store finders and online catalogues are very useful for users at home or on the go — but what about when they are in the store?
In-store modes that help users navigate retail stores or find their favorite items in stock are much more useful to users after they arrive at the retailer — and we are already seeing it happen in forward-looking apps today. The element of place will fundamentally change mobile app design for the better. Shortly, I’ll dive into how this might look with brands like Home Depot and Sephora, but let’s first talk about some essential elements.