How to Measure User Success

Usage vs. Value: How to Ensure Your Product is Making a Difference

You’ve probably heard it before: “If they’re using it, it’s working.” However, is this always true? Just because people use your product or service doesn’t mean it’s truly providing the expected value. In fact, usage doesn’t always correlate directly with user satisfaction. So, how can you ensure that your product or service is not only being used but also making a significant difference in the lives of your users?

In the tech product space, it’s common for teams to measure metrics such as the number of app downloads, usage frequency, or retention rates. However, these metrics alone don’t tell the full story. They don’t reveal whether users are achieving the desired results or if the product is making a meaningful impact on their lives.

So, how can I recognize if my product or service is truly helping users?

The solution to this challenge lies in measuring user behaviors. And how can we tangibly measure a behavior? To do this, it’s necessary to identify both immediate outcomes and long-term outcomes. And it’s crucial that these outcomes directly impact your business results. Here’s an example to make it easier to understand:

If you’re developing a language-learning app, measuring how many times someone opens the app won’t give you a complete picture of their progress. Immediate outcomes might include actions like: completing a lesson, while long-term outcomes represent lasting changes, like becoming fluent in a new language.

By focusing on behaviors representing user success (or the ultimate value your solution provides), you can move away from superficial metrics and focus on what matters: creating products and services that positively transform people’s lives.