At Rownd, we’re not just building features; we’re reshaping the digital landscape. It’s time to eliminate the outdated concept of a "visitor" and recognize that everyone is a user from the very first moment they engage with any part of your platform or website. This manifesto is a bold call to action for product managers, designers, and digital leaders to take ownership of the entire user journey. Every interaction matters. Everyone is a user.
The Flaws of the Visitor Concept
The term "visitor" implies a temporary, fleeting interaction with your brand. This segmentation leads to fractured experiences and missed opportunities. Visitors are often seen as transient, while users are considered valuable. This mindset is not only limiting but also detrimental to your digital strategy.
A Bounce is a Failure of Design and Strategy
When someone bounces off your site, it's easy to blame the "visitor". But the reality is that a bounce is often a failure of your SEO strategy, website description, or overall user experience design. It's a sign that something went wrong before the user even had a chance to engage. Every bounce represents a missed opportunity to connect, engage, and convert. Every bounce is a failure that can be learned from.
The Journey Starts Immediately
The moment someone begins their journey to explore your product or service, they should be treated as a user. This shift in perspective is crucial. Every click, every scroll, and every second spent on your website or app is an opportunity to create a meaningful connection. By recognizing everyone as a user from the outset, you eliminate barriers and create a more inclusive, engaging experience.
Why Everyone is a User
- Unified Experience: By treating everyone as a user, you create a seamless, continuous experience. There's no need for transitional states or additional steps to convert a visitor into a user.
- Enhanced Engagement: When you acknowledge that everyone matters, you prioritize engagement from the very first interaction. This leads to deeper, more meaningful connections.
- Dynamic Interaction: Users aren't static. Their profiles and interactions evolve over time. Recognizing everyone as a user allows you to dynamically adapt to their needs and preferences.
- Inclusive Approach: Everyone who lands on your platform has the potential to become a valuable user. By eliminating the visitor label, you foster a more inclusive digital environment.
A Call to Action for Product Managers and Designers
To realize this vision, we need product managers and designers to take ownership of the entire user journey. Here’s how you can make this bold vision a reality:
- Design for Continuity: Create seamless transitions that treat every interaction as part of a unified experience. Eliminate unnecessary barriers that separate visitors from users.
- Prioritize Engagement: Focus on engagement from the first click. Recognize that every second counts and design experiences that captivate and convert from the start.
- Adapt Dynamically: Build systems that evolve with user interactions. Use data to inform design decisions and continuously improve the user experience.
- Foster Inclusion: Embrace the idea that everyone is a user. Design experiences that are accessible and valuable to all, regardless of where they are in their journey.
Embrace the Change
The digital landscape is evolving, and so should our approach to user engagement. By eliminating the concept of a visitor and recognizing that everyone is a user, we can create richer, more engaging experiences. This shift not only benefits users but also drives better results for businesses.
At Rownd, we’re committed to leading this change. We believe that every interaction matters and that everyone who engages with your platform deserves to be recognized as a user. It’s time to move beyond outdated concepts and embrace a future where everyone matters from the very first moment.
Join us in redefining what it means to be a user. Let’s create a digital world where every click counts, every interaction is valued, and everyone is a user from the start.
