How Gamification Works on a Psychological Level & Increases Merchant Retention on the App
-By Priyasy Bokadia August 1, 2024 5 min read

Introduction

In recent years, gamification has emerged as a powerful tool to engage users and drive desired behaviors. Its effectiveness lies in tapping into psychological principles and motivators that influence human behavior. This article will explore how gamification can increase merchant retention on the app.

How banks can leverage gamification in their payments app for merchants

In the ever-evolving world of banking, finding innovative ways to enhance user experience is crucial. One way banks can achieve this is by leveraging gamification in their payments app for merchants. By integrating game elements such as challenges, rewards, and leaderboards into the app, banks can create an engaging environment that motivates merchants to continue using the platform.

For example, a bank could introduce a point system where merchants earn points for each transaction completed through the app. These points can then be redeemed for exclusive discounts or privileges. This not only gamifies the payment process but also provides merchants with tangible incentives to use the app regularly.

Furthermore, by incorporating social elements such as sharing achievements or competing with other merchants, banks can foster a sense of community and friendly competition. This not only increases engagement but also strengthens the merchant's bond with the app.

Imagine a scenario where a merchant is using a bank's payments app. As they complete transactions, they earn points that are displayed on a leaderboard. The leaderboard showcases the top-performing merchants, creating a healthy competition among them. This not only motivates merchants to strive for higher rankings but also encourages them to use the app more frequently to earn more points and climb up the leaderboard.

In addition to the leaderboard, the app could also introduce challenges for merchants to complete. These challenges could be related to increasing sales, attracting new customers, or achieving certain targets. By completing these challenges, merchants earn extra points and unlock special rewards. This not only adds an element of excitement and accomplishment but also helps merchants improve their business performance.

Moreover, the app could incorporate a feature where merchants can share their achievements on social media platforms. This allows them to showcase their success to their peers and gain recognition within the merchant community. By sharing their achievements, merchants can inspire others and create a supportive network where they can exchange ideas and strategies for business growth.

Overall, by leveraging gamification in their payments app for merchants, banks can create a dynamic and engaging platform that goes beyond simple transactions. The integration of challenges, rewards, leaderboards, and social elements not only enhances the user experience but also strengthens the relationship between the bank and its merchant customers. As the world of banking continues to evolve, embracing gamification can be a game-changer for banks looking to stay ahead of the curve and provide innovative solutions for their customers.

Understanding How Gamification Rewards Impact Behavior

Rewards play a crucial role in gamification, as they can significantly impact user behavior. When designing a gamified system, it is important to consider how different types of rewards influence users. There are two main types of rewards: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic rewards are external incentives, such as points, badges, or tangible goods, that are given to users upon completing specific tasks or achieving milestones. These rewards tap into our desire for status, recognition, and material gain.

On the other hand, intrinsic rewards are internal motivators, such as a sense of accomplishment, mastery, or personal growth. These rewards tap into our innate psychological needs, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

To maximize the effectiveness of gamification, it is important to strike a balance between extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. While extrinsic rewards can capture attention and initiate behavior, it is the intrinsic rewards that sustain long-term engagement and foster intrinsic motivation.

Rewards in gamification have a profound impact on user behavior. By understanding the different types of rewards and their influence, designers can create gamified systems that effectively engage and motivate users. Striking a balance between extrinsic and intrinsic rewards is key to sustaining long-term engagement and fostering intrinsic motivation. So, whether it's earning badges, unlocking achievements, or experiencing personal growth, rewards are the driving force behind successful gamification.

Exploring the Role of Motivation in Gamified Psychology

Motivation is a key factor in gamified psychology. Understanding the different types of motivation can help design effective gamification strategies that drive merchant retention on the app. The two main types of motivation are extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

Extrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity for external rewards. For example, a merchant may use the app primarily to earn points and receive discounts. While this type of motivation can initiate behavior, it may not be enough to sustain long-term engagement.

Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, refers to engaging in an activity for its inherent enjoyment and personal satisfaction. When a merchant genuinely enjoys using the app and finds it valuable, they are more likely to continue using it, even in the absence of external rewards.

To foster intrinsic motivation, gamified systems should focus on factors such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Merchants should feel a sense of autonomy and control over their actions within the app, and they should perceive themselves as competent in utilizing its features. Additionally, fostering a sense of relatedness by creating a supportive and engaging community can further enhance intrinsic motivation.

Autonomy is a fundamental aspect of intrinsic motivation. When merchants feel a sense of autonomy, they have the freedom to make choices and decisions that align with their individual preferences and goals. This sense of control over their actions within the app can greatly enhance their motivation to continue using it. By allowing merchants to customize their experience, such as choosing their own avatars or selecting personalized themes, the app can provide a sense of autonomy that empowers merchants and increases their intrinsic motivation.

Competence is another crucial factor in fostering intrinsic motivation. Merchants should feel competent in utilizing the features and functionalities of the app. This can be achieved through clear and intuitive user interfaces, comprehensive tutorials, and ongoing support. When merchants perceive themselves as competent users, they are more likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which in turn fuels their intrinsic motivation to continue engaging with the app.

In conclusion, motivation is a crucial aspect of gamified psychology, particularly in the context of merchant retention on an app. By understanding the different types of motivation and implementing strategies to foster intrinsic motivation, app developers can create an engaging and sustainable gamified experience for merchants. Through factors such as autonomy, competence merchants can be motivated to continue using the app, even in the absence of external rewards.

Merchant Retention on Payments App

Merchant retention is a critical aspect of any payments app's success. Gamification has shown promising results in increasing merchant retention by appealing to their psychological needs and motivations.

By incorporating game elements into the app, banks can create an engaging and rewarding experience for merchants. This, in turn, encourages them to use the app more frequently and stay loyal to the platform.

Additionally, gamification strategies that offer a sense of progress, achievement, and social recognition can further enhance merchant retention. Providing regular feedback, celebrating milestones, and creating a sense of community among merchants can instill a sense of belonging and loyalty to the app.

In conclusion, gamification has the potential to unleash the full power of psychological motivators and drive merchant retention on payments apps. By understanding the impact of gamification rewards, the role of motivation, and designing strategies that cater to merchants' needs, banks can create a compelling and addictive app experience for merchants.