How do you create personas for different platforms and devices?

1 Start with user research

The first step to create personas is to conduct user research, using methods such as interviews, surveys, observations, or analytics. You want to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, and identify patterns and trends among your users. For example, you might want to know their demographics, motivations, pain points, tasks, contexts, and expectations.

2 Segment your users

The next step is to segment your users into distinct groups, based on their similarities and differences. You can use criteria such as goals, behaviors, needs, or preferences, and create a matrix or a map to visualize the segments. For example, you might have segments such as casual users, power users, or new users.

3 Choose the most relevant segments

You don't need to create personas for every segment, but only for the most relevant ones for your product and platform. You want to focus on the segments that have the highest potential, the most influence, the most challenges, or the most value. For example, you might choose to create personas for web users who are looking for information, mobile users who are looking for convenience, and desktop users who are looking for productivity.

4 Create persona profiles

For each segment, you want to create a persona profile that summarizes their key characteristics, needs, and goals. You can use a template or a tool to structure your profile, and include elements such as name, photo, age, role, background, scenario, quote, pain points, and solutions. For example, you might have a persona named Anna, who is a 25-year-old student, who uses the web to research topics for her assignments, and who needs a reliable and easy-to-use source of information.

5 Validate and refine your personas

The last step is to validate and refine your personas, using feedback from real users or stakeholders. You want to make sure that your personas are realistic, accurate, and consistent, and that they reflect the needs and goals of your target users. You can use methods such as user testing, interviews, or workshops to validate and refine your personas. For example, you might ask users to rate how well your personas represent them, or to suggest improvements or changes.