Want more opt-ins? Use gamification, here's how!

Ever felt like asking your customers for their data was as awkward as asking them to share their Netflix password? Yeah, nobody loves filling out boring forms. But what if you could make it so engaging they actually want to hit submit?

TL;DR 🎯

Turn your opt-ins into an experience, not a chore. Use gamified designs—like a “build your dream outfit” feature for a fashion store—or at least spice things up with images or videos. Show customers exactly how their data will help them, like getting personalized deals or recommendations they’ll actually care about.

The result? Higher opt-in rates, better data, and more sales. Easy win. And if you happen to be using Shopify, one way to do this is with our Shopify quiz app to generate fun, engaging product recommendation quizzes and giveaways in 60 seconds!

Why it works 🤓

It’s simple: humans are wired to avoid boring tasks. But make it fun, and suddenly we’re all in. It’s why people will swipe right on a dating app for hours (I've heard...😉) but dread filling out a simple profile form.

Gamification also makes customers curious. If you sell furniture and let them design a virtual room, they’ll stick around to see the result—and probably share their dimensions while they’re at it. Add in a clear “this is how it helps you” message, and it’s game over (in a good way).

Oh, and this works best for people who don’t know you yet. Loyal customers will opt-in out of trust, but this strategy is your secret weapon to win over skeptics.

Proof it works 📊

• A study found gamified opt-ins significantly increase engagement, with some brands reporting a 50%+ boost in participation.
• 83% of shoppers say they’ll share data if it leads to personalized experiences they value.
• Gamified experiences increase user engagement by 60% on average.

How to do it ✅

1. Gamify the opt-in: If you sell plants, let them build their dream garden. For online groceries, maybe it’s organizing their ideal pantry. The key is to make the activity feel fun and relevant to your product.
2. Be crystal clear about the benefit: Spell it out, like “With this info, you’ll get personalized product recommendations and first dibs on sales.” It’s the digital equivalent of saying, “Trust me, this is worth it.”
3. Start simple with visuals or video: If gamification feels like a big leap, test with images or short videos. For example, show a beautiful kitchen layout if you’re asking for pantry preferences. A little eye candy goes a long way.
4. Test and refine: Run A/B tests to see what resonates. Compare static forms to gamified versions, or test different benefits to highlight. Data doesn’t just come from your customers—you can use it to learn what works.

What to avoid ⚠️

• Irrelevant games: A fashion store doesn’t need a random trivia quiz—it needs a way for customers to imagine themselves in that perfect outfit with a recommendation quiz.
• Overcomplicating it: Keep the experience quick, intuitive, and focused on the end goal. Nobody wants a data grab that feels like an escape room.
• Generic incentives: Offering $5 off for sharing data might work short-term, but it doesn’t build trust or loyalty.

The takeaway

If your opt-ins are boring, they’re costing you sales. By making the experience fun, visual, and clearly beneficial, you’ll collect the data you need to create personalized offers that convert.

Give it a try—because nobody ever said, “I wish this form was more boring.” Let the games begin! 🚀

Want to learn more? 🤓

If you want to learn more about this topic, you can dig into the nerdy details in the original marketing study.

Quote of the week 💬

“The more fun you make the ask, the less it feels like asking.”