Typical pitfalls in developing a Facebook Application Spec: no social metaphor

We got an RFP and a Facebook Application Spec in the inbox this morning that highlights one of typical pitfalls we find that people run into when they’re developing a concept and a spec for their app: they’re missing a social metaphor.

We find that one of they key factors in how much pickup a Facebook Application gets is how well it taps into the social connections that people have created. The “social metaphor” I’m talking about is this: how can some action in your application be equated to a real social interaction between friends?

If people can use your application to connect with others, they will do so. If they feel that their interaction with other people through your application is meaningless, they will probably abandon it.

Basically, setting up invites and plunking something into the feed is not enough to make it work.

Scrabulous for example allows you to “nudge” players that aren’t making their moves quickly enough for your taste. It’s a very simple feature, but it’s one that instantly conjures up the image of sitting around a scrabble board and going “hey, Jimmy, it’s your turn.”

I know that’s not a feature that has a lot to do with gaining users, but you bet your underoos it keeps their daily active users count nice and high.

Facebook, like the desktop and the web, is a platform. But it has a different set of features and rules, and if you take something designed for the desktop or the web, and just plug it into Facebook without taking advantage of the rich relationship information available there, it’s far less likely to work.

Not sure about your idea? We’re happy to build you a spec that works.

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