In the ever-evolving digital landscape, user loyalty is more elusive than ever. One moment, a platform dominates the market; the next, a new competitor disrupts the space, and users swiftly migrate. The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and the sudden shift toward DeepSeek exemplify how quickly digital audiences can change direction. Many digital product owners make the mistake of relying too heavily on subscription-based models, only to find themselves losing market share when a more accessible alternative emerges.
Meanwhile, Chinese tech giants have mastered a different playbook—one that prioritizes user traction, engagement, and scalable monetization over direct subscriptions. This strategy has enabled them to dominate industries and outmaneuver competitors who focus too narrowly on short-term profitability. So, what can we learn from them?
In the digital space, is there really such a thing as “loyal users”? Several factors come into play: value proposition, pricing, and user experience. To maintain user loyalty, these three pillars must remain highly competitive. At the same time, product owners must stay ahead of copycats looking to lure users away. The key is to continuously refine and enhance what makes your product unique, ensuring it remains difficult to replicate.
A common mistake among digital product owners is relying too heavily on subscriptions as their core monetization strategy. While it may seem like a sustainable revenue model, it often makes it easier to lose market share. The true goal of a digital product owner isn’t just to make money—it’s to build and sustain user traction, drive massive traffic, boost engagement, and provide compelling user incentives. The users themselves are the real asset—they are the money.
Thus, it’s crucial to strategize on the best approach for attracting and retaining users while adopting monetization methods that leverage high traffic rather than direct user charges. The Chinese tech industry understands this perfectly, and it’s the same strategy they use to outmanoeuvre platforms that rely too heavily on direct subscription revenue instead of tactical, scalable monetization models.
Adedamola Adewusi
Adedamola is the founder of ServerPoint NIG. and he is the head of Technical Business Analysis. He is a OneTrust Certified Data Privacy Professional. He is also a seasoned IT practitioner with certifications in Information systems management and software engineering. His experience in the field has spanned for over 20 years and has seen him deliver solutions to the banking, legal, educational sectors including SMEs. He is passionate about bridging the digital divide between Africa and its western counterparts and is determined to put Nigeria on the map for elite software engineering. To contact him, click on the Whatsapp icon on the bottom right corner of your screen.