When was the last time you tested your own radio app?
Not with your regular account, but as a brand-new listener. The experience is very different when you step outside the comfort of your admin access or long-time profile.
Here’s a simple test: create a fresh Gmail (or Proton, or even a disposable email) and sign up from scratch.
Now ask yourself:
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Is the login seamless?
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Is your app more than just a catalog of content?
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Does the stream start instantly, without buffering?
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How many taps does it take to find live content?
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Do you get recommendations and personalized suggestions?
Benchmark against the best, not just radio
It’s tempting to compare your app only to other radio apps. But that’s not how audiences think.
Listeners benchmark you against the best digital experiences in their daily lives:
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A banking app that opens in seconds
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A dating app that personalizes instantly
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A social platform that feels intuitive and frictionless
That’s the standard. And it’s high.
Why “good enough” isn’t enough
An app that merely “works” won’t cut it. Clunky navigation, broken streams, confusing ad insertion, or a lack of personalization don’t just irritate. They teach listeners to go elsewhere.
And once a user discovers that Spotify or YouTube Music gives them a smoother experience, they rarely come back.
The hidden cost of a weak app
Broadcasters often underestimate how much a poor app undermines their brand. Each frustration compounds into churn, lower engagement, and lost revenue opportunities.
Investing in usability, speed, personalization, and seamless design isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s core to competing in a digital-first world where alternatives are only one tap away.
A simple challenge
So here’s the question: if your radio app doesn’t feel as smooth as the best in class, what are you training your audience to do?
The answer is clear: you’re training them to leave.
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