Maximizing User Engagement: The Importance of Feature Visibility

At Draftboard , we’ve always prioritized making our platform as user-friendly as possible. However, we recently learned a crucial lesson: even the best features don’t matter if users can’t find them.

Our Story

When we first launched Draftboard, we wanted to make it easy for users to see who in their network was a fit for jobs listed on our platform. To achieve this, we built a nifty custom search link on LinkedIn and embedded it in a button on each job listed on Draftboard.

Clicking the button would open a new tab with LinkedIn search results tailored for that specific job, such as "New York" as the location and "Software Engineer" as the title, among other terms.

Those who discovered and used this feature loved it. But there was a problem: almost no one was using it.

The Problem

The reason was simple – the button was almost impossible to find. Buried among other elements, it didn’t stand out enough to catch users' attention.

The Solution

A few weeks ago, we decided to bring this feature to the forefront. We made it prominently displayed on each job 'card' on our main page.

The Result

The impact was immediate and dramatic. Usage of the LinkedIn search button exploded, as shown in the graph below, with a 333% increase in clicks.

Lessons Learned

The moral of the story is clear: don’t hide your features. Ensure that they are easily accessible and visible to your users. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Visibility is Key: Make sure your most valuable features are easy to find. Prominently display buttons and links where users can see them without effort.
2. User Experience Matters: Consider the user journey. Place features where users naturally look during their workflow.
3. Iterate and Improve: Don’t be afraid to make changes if something isn’t working. User feedback and engagement metrics are valuable tools for continuous improvement.

Importance of Button Placement

The placement of buttons and key features can make or break user engagement. Here’s why it’s crucial:

• Enhanced Usability: Users don’t want to hunt for features. Placing buttons in intuitive spots enhances usability and user satisfaction.
• Increased Engagement: Features that are easy to find and use will see higher engagement rates.
• Better User Retention: A seamless user experience encourages users to return and continue using the platform.

At Draftboard, we’re committed to constantly improving our platform to provide the best possible experience for our users. This experience has reinforced the importance of visibility and accessibility in feature design.

So, take a page from our book – make your features visible and watch your user engagement soar!