I've been reading quite a bit lately that Bitcoin and the like will never be "widely" adopted because it's hard to use. Of course this is coming from people that have a vested interest in the old financial institutions (and they are old... just look at them).
Central Banking is like Canasta for some elderly people. Of course it's 4 realz.
:sigh:
As much as it pains me... some of the naysayers are correct in one aspect: Cryptocurrency seems hard because it's hard to get started and hard to use. Like email circa 1989, the average person wasn't using it because it was just too cumbersome.
It's about time to get cryptocurrency out of the technical forest and into your mother's hands.
Enter the (Frustration) Dragon!
Let's do a quick thought experiment... let's list some ways an average person can obtain crypto:
- Sell something
Where do you exchange it for Bitcoin? I need a wallet? What's a QR Code? - Buy it outright from Coinbase
You mean I have to give them my driver's license? I thought this was anonymous. - Find someone with "computer skills" to get it for you
What's mining? - Mine it yourself
I made 0.000006 Bitcoin and my electric bill is $600. - Not obtain crypto
Why is it so hard to get?
Well, for one thing, government makes it hard. This is a tough one to get around especially if you're using a debit card. New regulations tend to strip the average person of their anonymity ::cough Coinbase cough::, making them think twice about getting in.
That said, there are other ways to get it with cash and those should be highlighted. If we can make it easy to turn your hard-earned ducats into crypto, the average person will use it- of that I have no doubt.
The idea here is that if people are reluctant to buy, then they probably won't even if it's a good idea. The only way around this is to use those good old sales tactics we love to hate... namely: removing doubt, overcoming objections, and anticipating use cases.
For those skimming this blog: I'm NOT saying we need to push people into it or become financial advisors. I'm saying we need better marketing and better...
UI/UX
UI/UX stands for User Interface/User Experience. It's a way to design graphical interfaces while keeping the end user's experience in mind. The best designed websites and smartphone apps employ it. And you know it's well designed when the user doesn't have to think about where to find the information they're seeking.
At the moment, many cryptocurrencies have great websites! They have friendly interfaces, easy to read information, and very simple layouts. This is a great start...
But then, let's say you want to get some cryptocurrency and buy something with it.
Me: "Sorry mom, you'll need to transfer the tokens in your phone wallet to the wallet on your computer to make that purchase."
Mom: "Wait, I thought they were coins."
Me: "Well, sort of but not really. They're technically ERC20 Tokens that implement smart contracts-"
::Her eyes glaze over::
Personally, I think cryptocurrency is at the point where those of you in design need to focus on the experience. The technology will continue to evolve and so must the experience. At some point we have to stop personally explaining the technology and let it explain itself through the design of the interface.
Seriously... can't we do better than a 30-digit key when we can encode images, audio, and video? I'm still setting up the passwords for my mom because she refuses to remember them. Not only that she just figured out how to upload photos to Facebook and you expect her to understand how Bitcoin works let alone put her keys into cold storage?
We can do better. We need to do better.
Consider this a call to arms for UI/UX designers to get involved in these crypto-projects and start making some noise about usability. Start making concept art to show the world new and easy-to-use ways of obtaining and using the currency and then build it! Use it!
If our mother's refuse to use Bitcoin... it's because we failed her.
Don't fail your mom.