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So, how are you doing today? Today, I want to explain how WhatsApp succeeded
in this world today. Now, when you think about WhatsApp. When you
look at it from the programming point of view. From the developers' point of view, it's nothing
but an Instant Messaging application.
Exactly like MSN Messenger, ICQ Messenger, Skype Messenger.
Every single Messenger that you can think of is virtually exactly the same thing as
WhatsApp.
Now, just think about its name. It doesn't actually transmit users what it is about.
When users think about "WhatsApp". They have no idea what it is.
I know, it is some kind of relationship between the word or the phrase "Whats up, buddy" and
"Whats App". App being an Application.
But still, it doesn't convey a message to someone who is totally new to this product.
When you think about for example MSN Messenger.
Well, just think about it:"MSN Messenger". I don't know what MSN is, I am totally new.
But, hey! "Messenger". "Oh yeah, it sends messages!"
Ok, that is what I am trying to talk about it here.
Now, it was still very successful! Because even though the product itself or the name
of its product did not convey the meaning of its usage, it was still popular.
Now, what really -really- made it popular was how users could log in to this service.
How users signed up to this service.
It was very easy...
Now, let me just make one... I just can't emphasize it any further...
WhatsApp is exactly the same thing, and I dare say even worse at least in the first
versions than Gmail Talk or Google Talk Service included in every single Android device around
the world. Every single one of them
but it did not require you to use your e-mail and password.
A lot of users get really pissed off when they buy a new phone and they find out that
they have to actually register or sign up to Gmail in order to use their phones. That
sucks and when they do that, it's because they are forced to do so. And a lot of them
actually forget their username and password. So, whenever their child or somebody touches
their phones and makes a wrong use of their phones and accidentally resets the system
to its factory settings, they totally forget their e-mail address, so they usually have
to create a new one.
I think Google does know about it.
Now, WhatsApp was totally different, it uses your very own cellphone number and your phone's
IMEI to verify your identity . And the thing is that it was totally transparent to a lot
of users. So that is exactly the reason behind its success..
Now when you think about it... whenever you create an application, you have to ask yourself
why would ever people download your application.
Back in 2007, when you asked yourself why would I ever want to use MSN Messenger and
not Gmail? Why?
So there had
to be
a reason, and the reason behind WhatsApp was very simple: You
don't
pay for messages.