MyDeal Launches Native App for iOS and Android

The App, which launched today, is an integral part of the retailer’s growth strategy and aims to streamline the retailer’s mobile users, which currently represents 75 percent of its online traffic. MyDeal’s averages 6.8 monthly visits, and the native App aims to increase these figures.

“Operating a leading online retail marketplace for home and lifestyle products, we understand that providing a seamless customer experience is vital, no matter how users choose to access our platform,” says Sean Senvirtne, MyDeal’s CEO.

The App currently includes the following offers and features to incentivise shoppers:

• App-specific discounts and coupons
• Shop-by-room navigation
• Product cross-sharing to social media apps
• Seamless checkout management
• ‘Shop the Look’ visual search functionality

The final feature of the app will roll out in the second stage of the App development, the retailer explains.

“While our website is already mobile-optimised and personalised to each user, we know that customers use the website differently when they’re accessing it through mobile devices,” explains Senvirtne. “The launch of the native mobile apps reduces customer friction on the platform as it allows those using mobile channels to more effectively access additional features and interact and compare prices across our vast product range faster, before ultimately purchasing in a seamless way.”

MyDeal iOS App – A Quick Look

The App itself is similar to any other homeware retail app – the response time is quite fast, and the layout is similar to its desktop site. When users first launch the App, five slides appear to welcome users, help them navigate its layout and suggest push notifications.

While the layout itself is clean and pretty to look at, there are a few minor UX issues that the retailer should iron out. As an example, if a user has scrolled down the home page and wants to return to the top of the screen, it’s a natural response to hit the home page at the bottom of the app. However, if the user taps the ‘home’ button, nothing happens – meaning the user has to scroll all the way up again. While this isn’t a huge issue, it might be frustrating for users that instinctively go to the home button as an automatic scroll. Ideally, the home button should double as a gesture to scroll to the top of the page.

Another minor issue that was found in the app sat within the checkout. For users that don’t have an account with MyDeal, they’re prompted to create one using Facebook, Apple or Google, with no option of a guest checkout. In the future, it could improve conversion rates if guest checkout is an option.

A look at MyDeal’s iOS app

As with all Apps, there will be things that the retailer will have to iron out. However, it’s a strong first step towards the goal of having a seamless and optimised shopper experience.

“The native apps are a key part of our growth strategy of improving conversion and retention rates by continually refining the customer experience and optimising the site, harnessing the data from different channel usage across our platform and more effectively personalising our interactions and offers for customers,” says Senvirtne.

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