Living in a capitalist society, many of us take for granted how many products are really available on the open market. With a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” American attitude, a confident number of people go out on a limb with their ideas – and usually their own pocketbook, in pursuit of a slam dunk product. But what does make a product truly great? A lot of the time, the reason is obvious. It’s just cool, and it works, right? But there are subtle subconscious ways we don’t even realize they grab us at the start. Here are a few commonalities I’ve found in successful products.
It solves a real problem for the average person.
Life can be tedious and annoying at times. Having a product to alleviate a common problem humans face makes for a hungry consumer. We dislike inconvenience, wasting time, energy, and paying a lot for it. When something comes along that helps make our life easier, we can’t help but reach for it.
It’s made well and preferably with Earth conscious materials
Millennials are America’s spenders becoming more aware of the impact that products have on our environment. Using environmentally conscious materials is important to today’s youth and has impacted spending habits. Disposable razors, for instance, are losing its popularity. The rise of dollar shave club and Billie are showing this shift.
However, if the product does not work or function properly, consumers aren’t going to care if you saved an entire rainforest with your ingenious idea. Bottom line is that it must work, last, and be built well first. If you can make that environmentally friendly as well, you’ve just made a successful marriage of ideas.
It’s marketed/designed well
Humans like pretty things. When a product looks sleek, we’re more attracted to using it and having it around. We’re most likely to show it off and suggest it to others. When apple first came out with the ipod in 2001, we were blown away by its extremely complex functions and yet the seemingly second nature it took to use it. It was a revolutionary device that changed the ways companies marketed for years.
Following the device’s design, the marketing for Apple continued down this path. Even ads with simple silhouettes showed how recognizable the product was, without fully even showing it. With all the caps, exclamation points, and colors being pushed on the average American day in and day out, it’s refreshing to view marketing in a straight-forward, no-bullshit way.
It’s an excellent price point
The bottom line is this… Can I afford it? With the middle class in decline, the line for want and need is increasingly expanding. When a product is too expensive, the need for that object lowers. “How much do I really need it?”
You don’t think about it much.
This may sound counterintuitive at first. Isn’t a great product supposed to be flashy and noticeable? I would argue that if a product works the way it should, it melts into your life seamlessly. When you’re watching a movie and a part is disingenuous or the characters are flat, it suddenly becomes painfully obvious that you’re watching a movie. It takes you out of the story completely, making it an uncomfortable rock In your shoe. Great design and function should be almost invisible, working its way into your life like another cog in the machine.
What makes your favorite products great? We’d love to hear them! Comment below.