What features could Kiva add to its mobile app to increase user engagement and loan contributions?

Introduction

To increase user engagement and loan contributions on Kiva's mobile app, we need to focus on enhancing the user experience and creating more compelling reasons for users to interact with the platform regularly. I'll approach this challenge by first clarifying our current position, then analyzing our user segments and their pain points, before proposing and evaluating potential solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions

• Looking at Kiva's mission of connecting lenders to borrowers in developing countries, I'm curious about our current user base composition. Could you share some insights into the split between individual lenders and institutional lenders using our mobile app?

Why it matters: This will help us tailor features to the most impactful user segment. Expected answer: 70% individual lenders, 30% institutional lenders. Impact on approach: If individual lenders dominate, we'll focus on personal engagement features.

• Considering the nature of microfinance, I'm wondering about our loan repayment rates and how they compare to industry standards. Can you provide some context on our current repayment performance?

Why it matters: High repayment rates could be a key selling point for increasing contributions. Expected answer: 96% repayment rate, slightly above industry average. Impact on approach: If high, we'll emphasize this in our user communications to build trust.

• Given the global nature of Kiva's work, I'm interested in understanding our current geographic distribution of lenders and borrowers. Could you share some insights on our top markets and any underserved regions?

Why it matters: This will help us identify opportunities for targeted growth and engagement. Expected answer: Top lender markets in North America and Europe, borrowers primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia. Impact on approach: We might focus on features that bridge cultural gaps or highlight impact in specific regions.

• Considering the competitive landscape, I'm curious about our current market position. How does Kiva's mobile app engagement compare to other microfinance platforms or crowdfunding apps?

Why it matters: This will help us benchmark our performance and identify areas for improvement. Expected answer: Leading in loan volume, but lagging in daily active users compared to some crowdfunding apps. Impact on approach: If we're behind in daily engagement, we'll prioritize features that encourage frequent app opens.