There’s a lingering worry gnawing at the tech-savvy individuals of the world – the notion that pay-to-use blockchains may damper the widely anticipated mass adoption of blockchain technology. Even though crusty crypto enthusiasts are quite comfortable with diving into their digital wallets and obscure exchanges, these complexities may prove to be a tough pill to swallow for the 99% who wants a taste of this brave new world without the customary jargon and conundrums.
To welcome a wider demographic into the blockchain universe, a triumvirate of changes are in order – first, blockchains must be free for the user; second, they need to transform into a frictionless experience and finally, they must become familiar without expecting ordinary individuals to caulk up their behavioral loopholes. Alas, these prerequisites for mass adoption seems to be a far cry from the present state of affairs. Here’s why.
When considering free-to-use blockchains, the current models tend to commercialize the user too directly, following more the notes of costly premium services rather than the subtler business model of Google or Facebook, for instance, who monetize indirectly through ads or data. People are accustomed to paying indirectly – which allows for free usage – but witnessing direct costs like gas fees for each transaction is knotty territory for most.
Next comes the frictionless and effortless experience that seems to have been lost in the whirlpool of blockchains too focused on security and technical advancements. A staggering 77% of everyday users abandon Android applications within just a few introductory days. The key lies in crafting the earliest experiences – simple and inviting, instead of confusing and intimidating.
Finally, for such an advanced form of technology to replace or co-exist with reliable social media platforms or gaming experiences that billions swear by, it needs to be familiar and fun, and most importantly, easy to use – a challenge which the tech-savvy crypto industry has yet to overcome.
Creating a revolutionizing platform requires humbling down to the demands and preferences of the masses, and not the other way around. The highways to a frictionless experience, free access, and a familiar interface may not be impassable. However, they demand a strategic change of route from struggling to make improvements on dysfunctional applications, to addressing the root causes of the dysfunction instead. This will indeed go a long way in silencing critics and ultimately changing the world for the better.
Source: Cointelegraph
