5 ms·
I'll throw out a random personal theory here. I think this is because buying apps is a solitary activity. As humans we are more comfortable fitting in or follo
by d_r 15y ago
I'll throw out a random personal theory here. I think this is because buying apps is a solitary activity.
As humans we are more comfortable fitting in or following. When you go to a coffee shop or a crowded store, you're buying something because you actually see others buying it. The decision-making aspect is "taken away" from you, as it was already done by people at large. There is also the element of human interaction with the barista. It's much easier to spend $4 this way.
Yes, at the coffee shop you also might have an immediate purpose -- like chat with a friend. But even when I am alone, spending $4 doesn't seem like a big investment. It feels and seems normal. And note that this doesn't have to do with the quality of the product.
In the meantime, when you're at alone and are browsing an app store, the burden of decision making is on you. In essence, the thought process is "am I making a good decision? is it normal to buy something like this? do I really need this?" With that, $1 can seem like quite a bit when you have time and solitude to decide.
- wodow 15y agoSo app stores should make a big, big thing of showing other users who are currently buying, last bought n hours ago etc.? I see more hospitality industry sites are doing this in the last years, e.g. booking.com.
- brc 15y agoI think there is a lot more to this, and I think you're onto something. Buying coffee is not only a social activity, it's something that's seen as a sociable thing to do. Buying apps is indeed a solitary activity, and - despite the burgenoing marketplace - is still something slightly outside of the mainstream. I suspect there is trust issues here - the average app isn't well trusted as opposed to the average cup of coffee - as well as exchanging money for a virtual thing as opposed to a physical. edit : thinking further about this - the top n listings are just like the coffee queue. It's self reinforcing because you see other people are buying the app, which overcomes some of the trust issues. We all think - well, all these other people bought it, must be something OK about it. The problem this brings about is the self-reinforcing top of the market which becomes harder for others to break into.
- randomdata 15y agoI would go even further to say that all consumer purchases are made to enable social interaction, even when transacted in solitude. The apps that have been successful on a grand scale are typically ones you want to immediately show off to your friends. You are not buying entertainment or utility, you are buying a conversation starter. That is where the value lies.