User buying behavior

[DeepFreez]

I have noticed that a significant number of users do the following:

• Go to a the buy menu and select something to purchase
• They are sent to the MXit buy screen (RequestPayment)
• They disconnect (OnPresenceReceived)

This means that either their client crashes, or they click the cancel button on the phone which closes the client at that point. What we would prefer to see is that they cancel the transaction by clicking on the cancel link and return to the app.
Not sure why this is happening. Any one with some insights into this?

[thetourist]

cancel button on the phone

Do you mean the hardware key, eg. Red Phone on Nokia's? Sorry it just comes across a bit ambigious, the 2 hours sleep probably doesn't help much :P

A very real (albeit unpleasant) reality is that a lot of users will simply jump ship when the free ride ends.
Although to be fair: http://www.mxit.com/store/code/image...nt_summary.png
Is a REALLY scary looking screen to be suddenly thrown to. It may just be that that to the user it seems like too much of a jolt from the existing application flow.

When purchasing from someone appearences do make a difference. Say for instance you're browsing a book store and decide to make a purchase. Then you get pulled into a dingy looking backroom to complete the transaction, you're going to be a bit skeptical.

Would it not be possible for these transactions to be handled via "Joe Banker"? It's an interface that the users already understand and trust.

Thats my ramblings, over to you.

[DeepFreez]

Do you mean the hardware key, eg. Red Phone on Nokia's?

Yep, that's the one. I think it might be a panic reaction like you say.
Working on getting better statistics on the exact user behavior with regards to billing.

It might be interesting to try and reduce the fear factor by adding a step before the actual billing screen saying "You will now go to the MXit billing screen, DONT PANIC!" But that also adds one more hurdle, which is bad.

[def]

Thanks for this, we are busy improving this screen, as it's currently very scary.

EXTAPPAPIBL-45

[def]

Hi all, as a follow up we have upgraded the billing screen with version 1.2.1 of the API (server side). It is now a lot less scary than it was before.

Link to forum post: More information on the billing API