UX-First Strategy for Designers to Create a Mobile-First Sportsbook Experience
People now spend more time on phone screens than on any other device. Everything’s going digital translates to everything is going mobile. Such is the case with the online sports betting industry, too. Hence, a mobile-first UX strategy is now a necessity.
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Over 80% of users bet through smartphones, thus mobile UX is a differentiator instead of just another added feature. However, operators face multiple challenges. There is poor user retention and sluggish speed, coupled with compliance hurdles.
Designers need to go beyond aesthetics to thrive in this emotionally charged set-up. They must build experiences that feel personal and intuitive. A strong UX strategy to build sportsbook apps becomes the cornerstone of this effort.
What Does a UX-First Strategy Look Like for Sportsbooks?
A UX-first strategy to build sportsbook apps creates a design from the user’s perspective. It is based on the following three pillars:
- Usability: Users should be able to find what they are looking for easily. Tasks like joining and placing bets should flow smoothly.
- Clarity: Users must know what to do next without using a manual. Icons and instructions must be easy to understand at a glance.
- Adaptability: It should adjust to different devices and user preferences. Player profiles may vary from beginner, expert, to physically challenged. However, the platform should remain accessible equally.
Such a UX-first approach results in higher user satisfaction and better retention. There are two other approaches to developing a sportsbook:
- Dev-First Approach –
The priority is given to technical feasibility and backend capability. Features are built based on what is easiest to implement with existing tools. The goal here is a faster launch than user clarity.
- Feature-First Approach –
It focuses on individual features or business ideas. New attractive features are added that initially meet internal goals without deep UX or dev consideration. The goal is rapid innovation for competitive advantage.
A UX-first strategy, on the other hand, prioritizes the user journey. It focuses on how real bettors behave, interact, place bets, and do ten other things that shape their overall satisfaction with the platform.
Importance of Creating Mobile-First Experiences
In 2023, 87 % of all online betting sessions globally occurred on mobile devices, up from 80 % in 2021. This has made mobile the go-to platform for sportsbooks. The average session duration for betting via mobile apps is approximately 12 minutes per session
During wagering on a live event, customers demand speed with no friction. If your app is cumbersome or takes a long time for every step, they might delete and switch. Hence, to create a mobile-first experience, pay attention to:
- Thumb zones: Place important buttons and features where the user’s thumb can easily reach. E.g., the bottom corners of the screen
- One-handed use: All the tasks, from placing bets to cashing out, must be easily done with the help of one hand. Users tend to multitask, hence this is desirable.
- Micro-interactions: Add small responses, such as light vibration or visual notification, on each critical action. For example, a pop sound is heard when placing a bet.
- Minimal tap travels: Minimize the number of taps it takes to transition from browsing to betting. Each additional step tends to lose the user.
These mobile-first experiences optimize the UI/UX for sportsbook software and deliver a better experience right in the user’s pocket.
Key UX Principles for Sportsbook Mobile Applications
A sportsbook mobile app needs to be user-friendly and fast.There are frequent real-time updates, and the user base is varied. The UX should cater to instantaneous decisions and effortless navigation. Here’s how to achieve the basics right.
Simplifying Navigation in Sportsbook App
- Make the interface simple enough that beginners and seasoned gamblers can navigate it easily.
- Employ fixed navigation bars and simple icons that are always visible. Also, it allows users to save their preferences for quicker access.
Designing a Good Browsing Experience
- Have the backend update in real time as the data changes. Make UI components that can represent refreshing odds and outcomes of bets smoothly, maintaining the user flow.
- The application should respond similarly on every screen size: from low-end Android devices to high-resolution iOS devices.
- Create layouts according to how various types of users act. For instance, casual bettors might require guided recommendations, whereas pro users like instant access to odds and bet history.
Designing for User-First Experience
- Users should flow through account setup, deposits, and withdrawals seamlessly. Keep forms brief, emphasize next steps, and minimize sudden page redirects.
- Make use of minimal game mechanics such as leaderboards, bet streaks, or reward points to enhance engagement.
- Constructing a feedback mechanism allows users to report a problem or rate a feature from within the app. This identifies usability issues ahead of time.
- Display local events, local currencies, and language settings as defaults. Provide region-specific deals or highlight match scores.
Designing for Real-Time Decision Making
- Employ legible fonts and streamlined layouts that enable quick decision-making during live games.
- Scale for low-latency updates. Users must be able to observe changing odds and match events in real time without the need to refresh.
- Send notifications for odds changes and match status updates.Make sure notifications are timely and relevant.
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Key Benefits of Building a Sportsbook App with Mobile-First UX Strategy
A mobile-first strategy converts. Focusing on UX first makes everything fall in place: engagement boosts, conversions rise, and users remain longer. An organized UX strategy to build sportsbook platforms maps user requirements with business objectives from day one.
Better App Usability
Mobile-first UX design minimizes friction. Users find what they are looking for quicker, make confident actions, and place bets with fewer mistakes. Smooth transitions and clear layouts result in fewer support requests and improved ratings.
Higher Revenue Growth
If the experience is enjoyable, users bet more and come back more frequently. Quick bet placement, user-specific recommendations, and streamlined checkouts nudge users increasingly toward longer session time and recurring sessions, driving daily usage and bet counts.
Meet User Expectations
Today’s users expect immediate access with a navigable design. A responsive, personalized UI facilitates faster response time allowing your players to multitask and make it a part of their daily schedule.
Better User Acquisition and Retention
A smooth onboarding process supported by an intuitive UX makes users stay longer. Retention rates increase as acquisition costs decrease if you pair it with gamification and live engagement.
Better App Efficiency
A strong UI/UX for sportsbook software reduces unnecessary steps, page loads, and crashes. Users engage more, and tech teams handle less maintenance with fewer bugs.
Alignment of Business Goals
The features are primarily built for users while aligning them to your growth plans. A goal to increase weekend bet volumes will start with studying user behavior during weekends. Delivering a relevant experience is the key to user satisfaction.
Testing the Sportsbook App for UX-First Design
Testing is essential in confirming that your sportsbook app lives up to its UX promise. It identifies issues users encounter during actual use and confirms the app handles all situations well.
Some critical testing activities are:
- Dummy bets: These bets mimic actual user behavior and detect any stumbling blocks or bugs in the betting experience. This helps you to check if users can move from browsing to bet confirmation without any confusion.
- Testing connectivity: This is to ensure the app performs even in slow or unreliable internet connections. The platform must handle poor connectivity without crashing during crucial actions.
- Rage Taps: This is where users tap repeatedly on unresponsive items, showing frustration. Use tools to track spaces where users are getting stuck and confused.
- Measuring performance: During high loads, mimicking heavy user traffic during popular events can identify gaps in the interface. Ensuring seamless responsiveness under pressure is the aim.
To make testing more insightful, the following tools could come in handy:
- Heatmaps: They show where users just ignore or spend more time scrolling. High-traffic areas and dead zones prove to be fruitful for improving app functionality.
- Session Replays: Session replays enable you to view real user behavior at a micro level. You can observe confusion and where users get lost.
- A/B Testing: A/B testing contrasts two alternatives of a flow to determine which one performs better. E.g., two forms of bet slips.
This data-driven approach keeps the platform relevant to users’ needs and changing preferences.
Conclusion
It takes a conscious UX plan to create sportsbook experiences that users adore. When you prioritize usability over technicality, your app meets the high expectations of today’s mobile bettors. In these increasingly competitive sports betting markets, your design choice can give you competitive leverage.
If you’re ready to build a sportsbook app that stands out, partner with experts at TRUEiGTECH who understand the ins and outs of UI/UX for sportsbook software. With their decade-old team, they craft mobile-first experiences that increase player satisfaction and retention.
Written by: Prish K
Prish K, Head of Marketing at TRUEiGTECH, holds an experience of more than 10 years in the iGaming domain. Starting from strategic planning and digital marketing to team leadership and cross-functional collaboration, he is a master of his domains. For more than a decade, he has shown a promising commitment to fostering result-driven and creative work outputs. Beyond guiding newcomers and established iGaming operators with the right software solutions for their business needs, Prish also wants to share his industry expertise and knowledge through insightful blogs and articles