Leading the way in MLS app design
The Seattle Sounders FC App
The Challenge
A project by Broadside Digital
The Seattle Sounders FC came to our team at Broadside Digital with a challenge - they wanted to improve their mobile app in a way that would help not only keep fans informed of games (upcoming, present, and past), but to design and develop app improvements that would keep users engaged on a regular basis.
Approach
Heuristically evaluating their existing design, we found many issues. As the new designs shifted from low to high fidelity, we began to increase the system visibility by creating a more clear set of navigation UI. We also began to reduce the use of skeuomorphic design in favor of a hybrid/flat approach, allowing for a minimalist design feel that better aligned to industry standards.
Results
4.7 Rating
Prior to Broadside's work, the Sounders app had a rating of 3.5. The increase in ratings is a testament to the overall usability improvements across the board.
5K Reviewers
With more access and visibility to the app, Broadside Digital was able to pump up the number of reviewers, originally less than 100, to over 5K – a dramatic improvement in engagement.
Leading MLS app
Less than half of the MLS teams currently have an app, and the Sounders app is performing better than even the MLS app itself (with 2x the reviewers, and even 5x that of the next team app).
“This app is the best in the MLS and makes the Portland Timbers app look like it was written in crayon.”
- Spinone98, 5 star reviewer