Formerly ServiceTattler, RateCred is an Android app for rating businesses and accumulating credit. Their mission is to bring customers and businesses together, while promoting honesty and visibility. So why the name/branding change? CEO Clayton Graham says, “We wanted to get away from the negative vibe that the word 'Tattler' has attached to it.” Plus, their new name is a bit shorter and easier to remember, so everyone wins.
The main concept of the app is to rate places and earn credit. RateCred sets itself apart from other location-based games, like Foursquare, by getting the customer and the business more involved in the rating process. No longer are you just “checking in” and saying you visited a place, but you're also giving a bit of detailed feedback with the help of the app. If you used ServiceTattler, you might remember that it actually allowed Foursquare check-ins, but it has been removed in the re-launched app. When I asked Graham about this, he explained that the company moved away from Foursquare because they couldn't build a relationship that wasn't competitive at that time. However, they are currently working on accommodating both companies, and also attempting to add Gowalla into the mix.
During our interview, Graham explained that you can follow where your friends “check in,” but don't really know anything about their experience at that particular business. This is where RateCred is utilized to fill in the missing information. Not only that, soon businesses will be able to make their own questionnaires. And this makes perfect sense: how can the companies know where to improve if the right questions aren't being asked? With a custom-tailored survey, they can find out the exact pieces of information they need to accommodate current and future customers. Their current service for businesses (which reports the current rating system and delivers rewards the businesses pick) can be found here.
Besides the new features of the re-launched app, RateCred also lets you sign in with Twitter, making mobile sign-up a breeze. Additionally, any friends that follow your Twitter are also your friends in RateCred if they have rated something. The new login system allows you to personalize your account a little easier—uploading a custom avatar is no longer a hassle. Currently RateCred is utilizing Twitter integration for their “places” directory, as well as spreading the use of their app internationally.
Most admirable about the team at RateCred is that they are dedicated to delivering a great product to their users. Graham told me, “We have a responsibility to the Android users, and we don't want to move on before those are fulfilled.” He also added that “[their] team has no plans to enter the App Store in the near future.” It's good to know they're going to stick with Android until the majority of their users are happy with the RateCred experience.
RateCred is always looking for feedback to make their app better! If you have something you'd like to share, head over to their home page and click on the Feedback tab on the left. They'd love to hear from you.
