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Deep-Dive the UX of a Desktop website “Poker” product

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by

RussellW3bbDesign
in ,

TL;DR; Insights for designing a successful poker website, covering key aspects such as app download, user experience, image selection, colour palette, with an emphasises the significance of trust and customer engagement. Discover how to design strong UX secure wallet features and VIP schemes.

Contents

Sports betting thrills, but trust comes as a complete package

Sports gambling is where the big bucks is, but in order to build faith, a potential customer must feel they can trust their next gaming experience with a site that provide the complete package. And that includes Poker
Following a stringent requirement gathering sessions, wireframes are key to both kick-starting discussion and frame-working development expectations
Following a stringent requirement gathering sessions, wireframes are key to both kick-starting discussion and frame-working development expectations
I have recently designed a best-in-class poker website and I wanted to share both my ABC when conceptualising and my top three take-outs

 

ABC to designing poker sites

A is for “App Download”

The 'consistent download message' must be just that, the premier experience for both usability and customer engagement is via the client download - so make it clear and simple how the user can do this.
The ‘consistent download message’ must be just that, the premier experience for both usability and customer engagement is via the client download – so make it clear and simple how the user can do this

To be clear, the functionality and the premier experience is still reserved for the desktop clients, i.e. the thing you download. So, you need to reinforce to the new user that by downloading this client app their life will be easier. So push push and push that message front of face, and using a high contrast colour palette.

B is for “Browse before buying”

Promotions - Banner Journey

Secondly, the poker playing public want to push their noses against the glass of your shop window before they buy. So don’t force them to log in before they can download. It’s not good UX and best practice preaches the mantra ‘try before you buy’.

C is fo “Choose the right image”

Inside the industry, Poker Managers try to avoid clichés: images with Aces and nice ladies are a no-no (within reason!). Image selection is always a challenge, playing cards must relate to the worlds most favourite poker game (and that is Texas Hold´em) must show two complete cards per play only. Visual element(s) connecting the product are important,  background colour or patterns, headline/text styles and elements derived from logo all demonstrate creativity. Moving onto the UI, always try and add some “joy” for the eye and focus on readability.

Images with Aces and nice ladies are a no-no (within reason!).
Images with Aces and nice ladies are a no-no (within reason!).

My top three take-outs

1. Bold Contrast, Not Pale Hues

Charcoal, black and super black is your palette of choice.
Charcoal, black and super black is your palette of choice

Branding is crucial, so don’t build your poker website on pale hues to maintain brand consistency. Charcoal, black and super black is your palette of choice.

2. Fresh Content

promotions-all-promotions

Bonuses and promotions are the golden ticket to attracting and retaining players. But a static UI can quickly become stale. Design a dynamic user interface that seamlessly integrates ever-changing bonuses and cash giveaways, keeping your poker platform fresh and engaging, and your players coming back for more.

3. Shared wallet

Checking balances and making deposits should be easy and should not take players away from their current tables
Checking balances and making deposits should be easy and should not take players away from their current tables

Ease of use and increased customer satisfaction should drive the transactional element of any poker site. Building loyalty through repeat offers that provide sticky sessions is also key. A simple cashiering process; checking balances and making deposits should be a breeze and should not take players away from their current tables. Access to chips while on the table is a priority.

Conclusion

The idea of the homepage or lobby is to get players into the game. It should be simple, with many ways for people to register or log in or download the client application. The lobby should be your information hub. This default screen should be customisable either my regulatory domain or be platform specific. Favourites can become a valuable UX tool here. And it is proven that between games the key driver to keeping customers engaged is Chat and Buddy Lists functionality.

As search is an amazing enabler, Tournaments should be searchable. At advanced search level there should be an option to discover tournaments either By Name, By Buy-In Amount and Prize. There should also be a filter for Start Date and time and finally by start window (i.e. within 24 hours)

Do all these things are you’ve got yourself and decent Poker section on your gambling website. And don’t forget, users expect;

  • Amazing customer support
  • Secure wallet (including Deposit and Withdraw)
  • Excellent VIP schemes
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