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Companies that operate digitally face a tough challenge to be competitive in the market and to stay connected with their customers as long as possible. The problem is that with so many alternatives online, people love switching from one to another platform, and probably none of us is an exception. Logically, we always want to find a better offer given the fact that competition between different digital companies reduces prices and increases service quality.

The abundance of alternative choices gives people another advantage too, which is some kind of control that customers love. I can bring the example of Netflix, which is infamous for continuously charging viewers more, by introducing new subscription plans and prices. One last change happened earlier this year when the company emailed the subscribers of its Basic plan, notifying them that the ad-free Basic plan would be replaced by another plan with ads. This made a lot of users frustrated who as a response threatened to unsubscribe from Netflix, and many of them did.

Obviously, those who unsubscribe from Netflix, do not stay without a streaming platform, but they pay for Disney Plus, HBO MAX, and so on. Netflix’s every attempt to make unwanted changes weakens its position as a leading platform in the market. And it’s not easy to keep the leadership when you have strong rivalries, so let’s discuss the important principles that every digital platform needs to be on top of the competition.

The power of being innovative

In the fast-changing digital world, new ideas are the key to making a platform a top seller. It means thinking creatively and finding fresh ways to meet needs people didn’t even know they had.

A great example of this smart thinking is seen in online casinos. Before, gambling meant going to places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City. But things have changed big time. Online casinos have turned the industry upside down by bringing casino fun straight to people’s homes or wherever they are. These sites haven’t just copied real casinos, they’ve made them better and even changed user behavior since today’s gamers easily prefer playing online gambling games for real money online rather than at a traditional casino.

Using digital tools, online casinos offer more games, more betting choices, and even live dealers that link the online and real casino worlds. But the biggest change is how easy it is to play. People can enjoy their favorite games anytime, anywhere without traveling. This is perfect for players who don’t have time or money for long casino trips. This shows how new thinking can totally change a business and how people shop.

Localize the platform

Successful platforms recognize the importance of localization. This involves more than simply translating content; it requires adapting the entire platform to align with local tastes, preferences, and cultural sensitivities.

Spotify exemplifies this approach. While the core function of streaming music remains consistent globally, the platform’s presentation varies significantly across different regions. In India, Spotify prioritizes Bollywood playlists and regional language content. In Japan, the platform incorporates karaoke-style lyrics, capitalizing on the country’s karaoke culture.

Making a product fit for different places means more than just changing the words. How users see the product, how they pay, and how you tell people about it might need to change too. For example, while most people in the US pay with credit cards, those in Germany often use bank transfers. So, a product made for Germany should let people pay this way.

In today’s connected world, there are lots of rivals. Products that make people feel like they know and like the product, no matter where they are, are more likely to keep doing well.

Don’t be annoying

To make money and keep people interested, some online platforms go too far and become annoying. It’s really important to find a good mix between making money and giving people a good time. If you don’t, you’ll lose the people you want to use your product.

Ads are one place where this happens a lot. While ads help pay for many free or cheap services, too many pop-ups, videos that start on their own, and big ads bug people. A study says 37% of people online use tools to block ads, which shows how unhappy people are with ads now.

To fix this, platforms should use ads that don’t bother people and that they like. Showing ads that are right for each person and that they’re really interested in works better than flooding them with ads they don’t care about.

How often you talk to people is also really important. Emails can help people stay interested if done right, but too many emails make people unsubscribe. Another study says 51% of people stop getting emails because they get updates too frequently.

Imagine getting lots of emails every day from every site you use. This shows how important it is to have good emails, not just a lot of them. Smart platforms divide their users into groups and send the right emails to the right people at the right time. Every time you talk to a user, it should be helpful, not annoying. Platforms that care about people’s time and attention build better relationships and loyalty.