As the online sports betting industry continues to grow, businesses need to attract new bettors to their betting platforms to remain competitive. However, for users with no prior betting knowledge, navigating the complex world of sportsbooks can be overwhelming and intimidating. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a user-friendly sportsbooks that provide an excellent user experience (UX).
Pain Points and Barriers
To achieve this, conducting user research is essential to understand the pain points and barriers that new bettors face. By identifying these pain points, betting platforms can create strategies to improve the user experience. Let’s dive deeper into some of the key pain points and barriers that new bettors experience when using sports betting platforms:
Lack of Understanding
One of the most significant pain points that new bettors experience is a lack of understanding of sports betting terminology and concepts. Many find it difficult to understand the different types of bets, odds, and how to interpret them. For example, when it comes to point spread bets, new bettors may not understand what the “+/-” sign means or what “covering the spread” means.
Overwhelming Options
Betting platforms can be overwhelming for new bettors, with many different sports, betting options, and odds to choose from. Some may feel intimidated by the number of choices and find it challenging to navigate the platform. For example, new bettors may not know the difference between a moneyline bet and a point spread bet, making it difficult to choose the right option for them.
Fear of Losing Money
New bettors are often afraid of losing money when betting on sports. This fear can make them hesitant to place bets or even use the platform at all. For example, a new bettor may be afraid of losing a significant amount of money on a single bet, which can prevent them from trying the platform altogether.
Complex Interface
The interface design of betting platforms can be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for new users. The cluttered interface, combined with the overwhelming amount of information presented, can make it difficult to find what they are looking for. For example, a user may find it challenging to locate the betting slip or to find the most relevant information about a specific game.
Lack of Personalisation
Many betting platforms do not offer personalised content, which can be a pain point. Without personalised recommendations, some may struggle to find relevant content that caters to their interests and preferences. For example, a new bettor who is only interested in betting on football may be overwhelmed with irrelevant content about other sports.
Limited Knowledge of Sports
New bettors who have limited knowledge of sports may find it difficult to place informed bets. Without an understanding of the sport and its players, some may feel hesitant to place bets or may make uninformed decisions. For example, a user who is unfamiliar with the rules of a specific sport may not understand why a penalty was called or why a certain player is crucial to the team’s success.
No Support System
New bettors may feel lost or confused when using a betting platform, and without a support system, they may have no one to turn to for help. This lack of support can be a significant pain point.. For example, a new bettor who encounters a technical issue with the platform may feel frustrated and overwhelmed without proper assistance.
Potential Solutions
To address these pain points, betting platforms can improve their sportsbook UX by creating a user-friendly and engaging platform that caters to their needs. Here are some strategies that betting platforms can use to improve the user experience:
Intuitive Onboarding Process
An intuitive onboarding process can be implemented to guide new users through the platform, explaining how to place bets, the different types of bets, and how to read odds. This can include interactive tutorials, walkthroughs, and helpful tips to familiarise users with the platform’s features.
Simplified Interface Design
A simplified interface design with clear and concise language can help new bettors navigate the platform with ease. Sportsbooks can also use filtering and sorting options to help users find the most relevant information and betting options.
Personalised Recommendations
By using data and user behaviour, betting platforms can offer personalised recommendations for sports, teams, and betting options that are relevant to the user’s interests and preferences. This can improve the user experience by reducing the overwhelming number of options available and making the platform feel more tailored to the user’s needs.
Education and Support
Betting platforms can provide educational resources and support to help new bettors understand the rules of the game and how to place informed bets. This can include blogs, guides, and videos that explain the different types of bets and provide tips for placing successful bets. Providing access to a customer support team can also be helpful for users who need assistance navigating the platform.
Social Features
Betting platforms can also integrate social features, such as chat rooms or forums, to allow new bettors to connect with other users and share knowledge and experiences. This can help create a sense of community and provide a support system for new users.
Improve your Sportsbook UX
In conclusion, creating a user-friendly and engaging platform is critical for attracting and retaining new bettors in the online sports betting industry. By identifying pain points and barriers, betting platforms can create strategies to improve the user experience and provide a supportive environment for new users. Implementing an intuitive onboarding process, simplified interface design, personalised recommendations, education and support, and social features can help improve the user experience and make them more comfortable with using the platform.
At SGX, we have created countless betting products and have a deep understanding of bettors of all levels. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help improve your sportsbook UX, we offer a range of sportsbook UX consultancy services. We’d be more than happy to discuss your specific goals and how we can help you achieve them. You can reach us through our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.
