The IKEA Effect: Why Your Digital Product Needs to Be 'Worse'

Something fascinating happened when I reopened my dusty Notion workspace last week. As I clicked through forgotten pages and half-built systems, a question kept nagging at me: Why do millions of people (myself included) get so invested in this seemingly basic tool when there are far more polished alternatives out there?

The Psychology Behind Digital Product Love Affairs

The answer clicked when I came across a video by Enrico Tartarotti discussing the IKEA effect. You know that feeling of pride when you finally assemble that Swedish furniture piece? That same psychological principle is revolutionizing how we interact with digital products.

Think about it – Notion isn’t particularly groundbreaking as a note-taking app. In fact, you could argue that Apple Notes or Evernote offer more refined experiences out of the box. Yet Notion has built an almost cult-like following. People spend hours crafting their perfect workspaces, sharing templates, and even building businesses around customized dashboards.

The SEO Landscape Is Changing (And It’s Not What You Think)

This shift toward user participation isn’t just changing how we use tools – it’s completely reshaping the digital marketing landscape. I’ve watched in fascination as some of the most polished, high-quality blogs have plummeted in Google rankings, while platforms like Reddit and Quora have soared to the top.

Google’s logic is actually quite sound. When someone’s searching for information, would you trust a single expert voice or a vibrant discussion with multiple perspectives? The search giant is betting on the wisdom of crowds, and the results are undeniable.

What This Means for Digital Entrepreneurs

If you’re running a digital business, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The days of simply publishing perfect content and waiting for traffic are over. Instead, think about how you can involve your users in creating value.

Consider implementing a points system that rewards engagement – sharing, commenting, contributing. Some of the most successful platforms I’ve worked with have turned their users into active participants by offering product discounts or special access in exchange for meaningful contributions.

300+ Clients Served by the eMarketing Coach. See their stories.

Building Your Own Engagement Machine

The beautiful irony here is that the more you let your users customize and contribute to your platform, the more invested they become – just like I did with Notion. It’s not about having the most features or the sleekest design. It’s about giving people the tools to make something their own.

Start small. Enable comments if you haven’t already. Create simple ways for users to customize their experience. Build in public and let your community shape the direction. The key is to make participation feel natural and rewarding.

Ready to Transform Your Digital Presence?

I help digital entrepreneurs adapt to these changing dynamics every day. For $69, I’ll review your website and strategy, creating a custom video breakdown of how you can implement these principles in your specific context.

Let’s hear what our robot podcasters have to say:

This episode is powered by NotebookLM by Google to provide a fresh and interesting perspective on this topic today.

Video Transcript

All right, everybody, welcome back. We’re going to be diving deep today and talking all about digital products and marketing.

We have this really cool article by the eMarketing coach, and it’s all about this kind of psychology behind something called the IKEA effect.

Yeah, it’s really fascinating how something as simple as putting together furniture can reveal so much about how people behave.

Yeah, I know, right? Like who would have thought that? Yeah. We’re also going to be taking a look at this YouTube video by Enrico Tardorotti.

Okay. And he’s kind of exploring this whole wild success of notion, that note taking app. Yeah, yeah. It’s like everywhere right now. It’s really popular.

So think about that feeling that you get when you finally finish putting together that super complicated IKEA dresser or whatever. Right. That sense of accomplishment. You’re like, “Yeah, I did that.” Yeah, you feel pride. Yeah.

And that’s what we’re going to be talking about today. That feeling of pride in a sense is kind of the core of what the IKEA effect is all about. It’s basically this tendency that we all have where we place a higher value on the things that we build ourselves.

Yeah. Even if it’s not like perfect, you know?

So let’s break this down a little bit. Yeah. For our listener out there, I mean, we’ve all been there, right? Like wrestling with that Allen wrench. Absolutely. And those instructions that make no sense.

Dual diagrams that are impossible to decipher. I know. And you finally get that wobbly bookcase to stand up straight. Right. And it’s just like, “Ah, yes.” There’s a satisfaction there, right? You feel good. Yeah.

And it’s interesting because you know it might not be perfect. Yeah, it might be a little crooked. Yeah. But you put in the effort. Exactly.

And that’s what makes it so interesting because you put your own effort into it. It holds more value for you. Right.

And it’s not just about furniture. This applies to digital products as well. Oh, interesting. Okay. Especially with apps like Notion.

Okay. I’m struggling with that one a little bit because most of the time you hear people saying, “Make your app” as polished as possible. Yeah. As slick and easy to use as possible, but how does that work with Notion? Yeah.

Well, it seems counterintuitive, but part of Notion’s success actually comes from its simplicity. Oh. It basically gives you the basic building blocks and lets you customize it however you want.

So it’s like giving someone a set of Legos instead of just like a pre-built toy. Exactly. You got it. Right. You can create workflows. You can design your own templates. Right.

Basically craft a digital workspace that’s perfectly tailored to you. Oh, okay.

And that’s where the IKEA effect comes in because you’ve put all that time and effort into making Notion exactly how you want it. You value it more. Yeah. It becomes like an extension of yourself. Right. And you feel proud of it.

Okay. I see where you’re going with this, but isn’t that like kind of risky? Yeah. Like what if people just think the app’s like low budget or something?

Well, that’s what’s so interesting about Tatarati’s take on this. In his video, he argues that Notion is very intentionally tapping into our psychology.

Okay. That desire to value what we create. Okay.

So like I said, I was struggling with that one, but you’re saying like it’s actually kind of like genius. Exactly. Oh, wow. It’s like a form of digital self-expression. Okay. I hadn’t thought of it like that.

Yeah. And this all ties back into the e-marketing coach’s point about how SEO is changing. Okay.

How so? Well, he’s arguing that this user driven approach is like changing the whole digital landscape. Okay. Even Google is starting to prioritize websites that encourage this kind of engagement.

So it’s not just about like publishing these like perfectly polished articles anymore. Nope. Not at all. Okay. Interesting.

Think about it when you’re searching for something online. Yeah. Are you more likely to trust like a single polished article or a forum with all sorts of different opinions?

Oh, definitely the forum, especially if it’s like a Reddit or a Quora or something. Right.

Yeah. Like seeing all those real people sharing their experiences just feels more real. It feels more authentic. Yeah. And, and, and you know what, that actually makes a lot of sense because the whole Ikea effect ties into how Google is now like ranking websites.

Exactly. Oh, wow.

They’ve realized that people are looking for these more engaging experiences. They’re valuing those more. And they’re starting to prioritize platforms that embrace all those different viewpoints.

So if I’m hearing you correctly, a static website is basically like a death sentence now. Pretty much. Oh, wow. You really need to build a community and encourage people to interact. Make them feel like they’re a part of something. Exactly. That’s what you’re saying.

Yep. The e-marketing coach actually calls these types of websites engagement machines. Engagement machines. Yeah.

What does that even mean? Well, think of platforms like Reddit or Quora. Okay. They’re at the top of the search rankings because they’re built on user generated content. Yeah. They encourage debate and discussion.

Right. All those messy human elements. Exactly. And that’s what a static website is missing.

Okay. I’m starting to see the light here. Good.

But it seems like a lot of work. It can be.

Like even if I build this amazing forum or whatever, if nobody is participating, it’s just a ghost town. Right. So you need to think about how to encourage that participation. Okay. So how do you do that?

Well, one of the most powerful strategies is to incorporate reward systems. Oh, interesting. Okay. Think like badges for contributions or early access to features for beta testers or even just like a leaderboard for top contributors. It’s almost like you’re gamifying it. Exactly.

You’re making it fun and rewarding to engage. Right. And people are motivated by that recognition and achievement. Yeah, totally.

And the e-marketing coach actually brings up another really important point. Right.

Customization is absolutely essential.

People really crave control over their experiences, especially online. Oh yeah. That’s so true.

We see that everywhere, right? Yeah. Like personalized playlists on Spotify. There are curated feeds on social media. Exactly.

We’re constantly tailoring our digital world to fit our preferences. Right. And that desire for personalization is kind of spilling into everything, right? Right. Yeah. It really is.

If you’re building a product or a platform, you need to give your users the tools to really mold it to their needs and preferences. Okay. That makes sense. The more they feel like they had a hand in shaping their experience, the more invested they’re going to become. Exactly.

It’s about turning passive users into active participants. Right. You want to foster that sense of ownership and community that traditional approaches just can’t replicate. So it’s not just about offering options. It’s about giving them the tools to really express themselves. Yeah. Make the platform their own. Exactly.

What are some examples of that? Like in the real world? Well, imagine a project management tool that lets users design their own dashboards, right? Choose their notification preferences or even suggest new features. So they’re like co-creating with the developers. Exactly. And that’s incredibly powerful.

Yeah. Because it shifts the dynamic. Right. It’s not us versus them anymore. It’s like we’re all in this together. Exactly. It’s a partnership. And you know what that reminds me of this whole building in public trend that’s happening right now. Yeah. Where startups are being really transparent about their process and asking for feedback from their community. That’s a great example. Yeah. By bringing users into that process, you’re not just building a product, you’re building trust. Right. You’re building loyalty. Exactly. Transparency and collaboration are key. Yeah.

The more you involve users in that journey, the more invested they’ll be in the end result.

That is all great. Yeah. But I’m imagining, like there’s some businesses out there that were probably thinking like, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Yeah. Like, “I don’t want to give up that much control.”

Right. And there’s always a balance. Yeah. But it’s important to realize that embracing user participation, it’s not about losing control. Okay. It’s about harnessing a really powerful force that can really take your business to that next level. It’s almost like you’re tapping into like this collective intelligence or creativity. Exactly.

And that’s why understanding the psychology behind user engagement is so important. Yeah. It’s not just about clicks and conversions. It’s about building meaningful connections and creating experiences that people actually value.

I’m starting to see the bigger picture here. Good. It’s not just about building a better website. It’s about building a better experience for everyone. Exactly. Yeah. And that’s what makes all of this so exciting. Yeah.

We can actually create digital spaces that are more engaging, more rewarding, and ultimately more human. I like that more human. Yeah.

This has been a real eye-opener for me. I feel like I’m starting to see how these little changes in user behavior are actually having a huge impact. Yeah. It’s like a ripple effect. Yeah. Like a whole new set of rules is emerging online.

It really is.

And the companies that adapt the fastest are going to be the ones that win. So let’s bring it home for our listener here. Okay. Knowing about the IKEA effect and all this shift towards engagement and stuff. What are some concrete things that our listeners can actually do to apply these ideas to their own business?

So the e-marketing coach is really big on one core action. He calls it a power pivot. A power pivot. Okay. Yeah. Basically, it’s like one single change that has a ripple effect throughout your whole business. Okay. And pushes you to that next level.

So it’s not about doing a million little things. Yeah. It’s about finding that one crucial thing to focus on. Think of it like this. Okay. Most businesses have strengths that they’re not fully using or weaknesses they’re trying to fix by just throwing more and more resources at. Right.

A power pivot is about identifying that one area where a focused effort will actually unlock the most growth. So how do you figure out what your power pivot should be?

Well, it sounds like you need an expert. Yeah. I was going to say, that’s probably where the e-marketing coach comes in, right? Exactly. He actually offers a service. Okay. Where he’ll personally review your website and come up with a power pivot strategy just for you.

So he helps you identify those areas where even small changes can make a big difference. Exactly. He helps you find those high impact areas.

Okay. That’s awesome. Especially for businesses that are feeling stuck. Yeah. Or overwhelmed. Yeah. Totally.

So where can our listener go to learn more about this power pivot strategy session? They can head over to the e marketing coach’s website.

Okay. Perfect. We’ll make sure to include a link in the show notes. Sounds good. This has been a fascinating deep dive into the IKEA effect user engagement and how the whole digital landscape is changing. It’s a wild world out there.

Yeah, it is. We’ve explored how this subtle psychology is shaping the way we build market and experience digital products and how it can ultimately lead to more success for businesses of all sizes. And remember, it’s not just about building better websites or apps.

Right. It’s about building better experiences for everyone. Fostering those connections. Exactly. Creating digital spaces that people genuinely value. It’s about making the internet a more human place. I love that. And if you’re ready to unlock the power of the IKEA effect and take your digital presence to the next level, we highly encourage you to check out the e marketing coach’s website and book in a power pivot review today. It could change your business. Absolutely. All right, everyone. Thanks for tuning in. See you next time. This has been so interesting learning about all this. Yeah, it’s pretty fascinating stuff. Really makes you think about how we interact with the digital world. And how those interactions are constantly evolving. Exactly. Who knew that something as simple as assembling furniture could have such a big impact on the whole internet? It’s all connected. Yeah, it really is. And the more we understand these connections, the better equipped will be to create amazing online experiences. For everyone. For everyone, exactly. So as we wrap up this deep dive into the IKEA effect and this whole idea of user engagement, what’s one final thought that you want to leave our listeners with? I think the biggest takeaway here is that the digital landscape is shifting away from static content and towards these more interactive and engaging experiences. Right, like those engagement machines that we were talking about. Exactly. And the businesses that embrace this shift are going to be the ones that thrive. So it’s not just about keeping up with the latest trends. It’s about understanding the psychology behind those trends. Yeah, understanding why people behave the way they do online. And using that knowledge to create products and platforms that people truly value. Exactly. It’s about making the internet a more human place. I love that. And if you’re listening and you’re ready to take your online presence to the next level, we highly recommend checking out the e-marketing coach. Yeah, he’s got some great insights. And booking in one of those Power Pivot strategy sessions. Could be a game changer for your business. Absolutely. All right, everyone. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into the IKEA effect. It’s been a pleasure. And we’ll see you next time. See ya.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What’s your take on this shift toward user participation and apps like Notion? Have you noticed changes in how people engage with digital products? Share your thoughts below – let’s learn from each other’s experiences.

The IKEA Effect: Why Your Digital Product Needs to Be ‘Worse’