lthough new technologies and programs are meant to simplify and shorten processes, especially at the beginning they lead to additional effort — and not infrequently to a lot of frustration for users and/or employees.
After all, every new tool or feature needs to be tried out first; getting used to it can take a while. And if the interface is new as well, the team may reject it altogether. Why did we introduce the program again?
If you want to avoid this pain, a Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) gives you the ideal guide. What exactly a DAP can do and how to find the right DAP software provider is explained here.
Every MarTech stack is meant to be updated continuously. Often, that means adding new tools. But teams quickly lose track when they’re expected to use a dozen different programs for specific purposes – and if the user guidance is inconsistent on top of that, things can go sideways pretty fast.
A digital adoption platform, sometimes also called a digital adoption solution (DAS), helps you—just as the name suggests—introduce and adopt new programs and features more efficiently. DAPs can be integrated into other applications, software, and websites and guide users step by step through the various functions. Using self-help menus as well as videos and guides, they help users get familiar with new digital environments. In other words, DAPs are helpful solutions that support you and your team when you roll out new software.
A Digital Adoption Solution communicates new digital processes quickly and clearly. For companies, this is useful, for example, during onboarding to save internal resources and ensure the most comprehensive training possible. New and existing employees therefore use a standardized tool to get to know multiple software applications. This saves resources, greatly simplifies the start, and significantly accelerates your digital transformation.
Digital Adoption Platforms of course differ from one another. But basically every DAS has the following features:
Guides
Guides are simple user instructions that provide assistance when actively using programs and tools. These can be simple notifications, pop-ups, or even chatbots.
Self-help menus
With this DAP feature, no question remains unanswered. The menus offer a range of links to tutorials, videos and step-by-step instructions. Even the smallest function, even the biggest challenge is explained clearly in the self-help menus.
Integration
Thanks to connectivity with other programs and tools, DAPs can exchange and update data and information in real time. Users can open and use an application directly from within the DAP without having to constantly switch back and forth.
Analytics
A DAP captures and analyzes information to improve the user experience and uncover weak points in how a tool is used.
Personalization
With features such as contextual hints and exercises, a DAP tailors the experience for users individually, so that it builds on their respective needs and interests.
Automation
Instead of performing certain tasks such as daily system checks over and over again, a DAP can automate this task. This is made possible, for example, by executing processes or synchronizing data.
Onboarding
With DAPs, new employees get an easier start in unfamiliar programs and MarTech platforms. This saves internal resources, since introductions to work organization platforms and tools can be tackled independently of other team members.
Gamification
In it to win it – a DAP can incorporate components that you would otherwise be more familiar with from the gaming world. Points, badges and awards motivate users and increase their engagement.
Feedback
To identify its own weak points and missing features, the DAP regularly collects feedback in the form of audits from users. This feedback is essential for further development!
Every DAP offers different solutions and features. Companies therefore need to know their own needs precisely. Compare different digital adoption solutions in detail to find the right tool. The following six questions will bring you closer to the program of your choice:
Can the DAP be integrated into my applications and tools?
First of all, you need to make sure that the tools you already use are actually compatible with your Digital Adoption Platform. Since every DAP enables different functions and features and can be combined with different plugins, this check is the starting point of your search.
Which functions do I need in a DAP?
Then the basics: onboarding, guidance, analytics, personalization, integration and other features that you definitely need should be checked off first.
How intuitive is the DAP to use?
A good DAP should be easy to use for both admins and users. Test the platform’s interface and guides extensively to make sure they are truly user-friendly. You don’t need a DAP that doesn’t make your life easier!
How flexibly can I customize the DAP?
Check in advance whether the platform offers customizable settings, templates and integrations. Your specific requirements and projects set the tone.
Does the DAP offer sufficient support?
Help when help is needed: Make sure the Digital Adoption Platform offers sufficient support. Both admins and employees should be able to rely on support. This is not only interesting for large companies with many employees, but also for smaller businesses without a large IT department.
Are the costs of the DAP within my budget?
The costs of a digital adoption solution vary depending on the category and provider. So find out in advance whether the platform’s costs and the functions it offers represent good value for money for you.
No tool will do you and your team much good if you don’t use it properly. This is where digital adoption solutions come into play: DAPs simplify onboarding, guide employees through the tools, and unlock all the potential you originally chose the software for. So choose the DAP that fits your company’s needs and your existing tools. Good luck!
Are you looking for a Digital Adoption Platform? Then match with the right vendors instead of searching for them laboriously and over a long period of time! Our database includes all relevant providers for the DACH region. Filterable by use cases, features, references, support services, data protection policies, and budget range.
On our matching platform, we compare the most relevant software vendors in the DACH region based on your individual criteria. You only need to invest a few minutes—just tell us what you’re looking for—and then conveniently and clearly compare the three best matches.
Try it out and register now—the matching is completely non-binding and free of charge for you.
Till Zier is CPO at Matchilla and, as a MarTech expert, reports in MatchZINE on news and trends in marketing, automation, analytics, and data.
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