What if you could give your users or customers an incentive to use your product? What if you had some special way to influence how and when they use your site, how much time they spend there, and how they shared it with on their social networks? You’d have to be crazy not to use such an amazing tool!
All of this and more can be done with gamification? Gamification is the process of applying game design principles to non-game products and activities to drive a certain behavior. It taps into everybody’s natural desire for status, achievement, fun, and social connection. People won’t just use your product or service, they will be delighted by it. They will become your most loyal customers and most outspoken advocates. Gamification takes many forms and it takes skill and experience to find a strategy that fits your business. Take a look at how companies like LinkedIn, Nike, Foursquare, Mint and Forrester Research are using Gamification principles in very different industries and businesses.