Recently I’ve spent a lot of time thinking of what makes some product so much more successful than others. As I work for in the telecom industry products easily become cellphones as this is something I know about. So what is it that makes the iPhone so much more successful than other brands? And how is it that iOS can keep so big market share when almost every other company develops with android?
I’ve seen a few things that I think defines this, and surely I’m not the first to figure it out, but what I want you to remember as the core idea is this: If you don’t believe in your own products then why would anyone else?
Product improvement
How many people can name four or five HTC models? Or SE past the “3310”? Anyone know the name of the “Apple phone” and most knows all the versions. Apple could have renamed and redesigned all the iPhones they have created, but instead of doing that they have kept improving the original iPhone. Showing that they believe in the product (while admitting there is always room for improvement) so we can too. While all other phone producers keep changing them so much that the customer cannot assume that they can easily change phone from the same producer without having to relearn the functionality.
Focus on the basic functions
Apple has realized that it is the basic features on the phone that is still the most important and most used. Calling, texting, now; emailing, checking calendar, etc. Thus they have focused on making these functions easy to use and keep improving them. Such as letting email sort after subject etc.
One fits all instead of one of each one
There have been many rumors implying that Apple is planning a “cheaper” iPhone. Personally I doubt this, but anyway, only having one phone, thought a few versions of it. Makes it really easy for the user to choose which iPhone they want. Sure you can buy in different colors and GB, but here Apple once again prove that they believe in their products. They aren’t saying “these couple of phones are good, pick one of them” they are saying “this one is the best”. I wonder what make it easier for the customers ;)
Steve Job’s introduction of all new products
Before every launch of every product of version of it we here Steve Jobs stand up and tell us about it. To have the CEO introduce or talk about a product is not that rare, but with Jobs enthusiasm toward the products and his (at least perceived) knowledge, at least I get the feeling that he has been part of creating them. And that is more than I can say about many other leaders “representing” their products.
Usability and consistency
A while back I questioned, “is usability the key to success?” when it comes to Apple it is at least on the most important things., if not the most important. We have seen many YouTube clips of two year olds using the iphone and the 100 year old woman using the iPad, that if anything shows that they made them easy to use. And we like easy!
In other words.. You have to believe in your product to make everyone else do it to, be proud and improve instead of starting from scratch!