Diabetes UK Tracker Smartphone app

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Diabetes UK Tracker Smartphone app
"This app is so focused and simple, yet it's
ingenious. I loved the way they tested the
product with Facebook users.Third Sector
Excellence Awards judging panel

• 28 March 2013 _at_diabetesuk duktracker

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We should do an app...
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Should we really do an app?

• Wary that apps were just a flash in the pan
• A project, person, etc, that enjoys only short
  lived success.
• Something which disappoints by failing to
  deliver anything of value, despite a showy
  beginning.
• Whole process is a bit like panning for gold.

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Before development

• Desk-based research.
• Asked our Facebook community.
• Open brief to agencies.
• Chose research-focused agency.
• Then did even more research!

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Developing the app
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Concept and development

• Concept meet two main needs
• Simple recording of levels.
• Easy sharing of info.
• iPhone first based on mobile traffic.
• Took about six months.
• Regular meetings with key people.
• Prototyping with Facebook and our forum.
• User testing during development.

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Diabetes UK Tracker app for iPhone v1

• Souped-up notebook.
• Quick and simple to use.
• Suited to mobile.
• Look for simple solutions eg photos of meals.
• Talking points.
• Easy to share by email and social media.

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Year one
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First year - September 2011 to August 2012

• Target of 5,000 app downloads in first year.
• Actual
• 25,318 app downloads in first year.
• 19,389 updates downloaded in first year.
• Recommended by NHS for GPs to prescribe to
  patients.
• Third Sector Excellence Award winner.

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User feedback

• I have been using the tracker app for over a
  year now and find it excellent for tracking not
  only my diabetic information but also for my
  training and weight control.
• Just downloaded - really helpful and actually
  fun!!
• I really want to commend you on a great tracking
  solution ... something that really works and
  solves the logging pain. So well done!
• I am totally lost without the app!

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Ongoing evaluation and development

• Encourage feedback via email and social media.
• Listen and respond, keep in touch.
• Spot and fix bugs.
• Collate and prioritise all our users, our
  agencys and our own suggestions.
• Use as basis for further development.

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Year two
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Developments year two

• Users and Diabetes UK had same priorities
• Android version / Open up to more devices
• Ability to export data.
• Launched iPhone update and Android version in
  February 2013.
• New features, for both versions.
• Improved analytics with Flurry package.

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Teething troubles

• Some initial bugs got users involved to fix
  them.
• Thanks so much for keeping me updated with
  progress! It's astonishing quite how much one
  relies on one's diabetes gadgetry!
• Nobody's perfect! software is always buggy in
  some form or another... it keeps programmers in
  their jobs! lol ) ... its worth the wait for
  such a great and useful app!! keep your spirits
  high! it keeps us going D

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Stats to date

• iPhone app (19 months)
• 36,980 app downloads.
• 52,233 update downloads.
• Android app (first month)
• 2,142 app downloads.

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Possible future developments

• Mobile-optimised website?
• Desktop companion for existing app?
• Integration with our CRM?

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So do you really need an app?
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Keys to our success

• Think do we really need an app? If so
• Involve your community right from the start and
  throughout.
• Do as much research as possible.
• Set a clear measure of success downloads,
  reviews, ratings, etc.
• Dont charge for the app.
• Encourage feedback from users.
• Listen and evaluate.
• Base developments on feedback.
• Keep users informed, especially with bug fixes.

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Not just a flash in the pan

• ... whilst you are unlikely to have a really
  big app, and the costs of creating, maintaining
  and marketing it across multiple OSes are bigger
  than you might think, there are still
  opportunities to get real engagement and
  long-term loyalty if you deliver a great app that
  serves a particular need.
• Ashley Friedlein, Econsultancy blog, 8 Jan 2013

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Diabetes UK Tracker Smartphone app
_at_diabetesuk duktracker www.diabetes.org.uk