Debit & Credit 3.0: Account Folders

It is fairly easy to add new features when you have a new product. You know what most of your customers need and you can start working on new hot things straight away.

When your product is mature and all of the low hanging fruits are taken, things get more tricky. Features that you can add are more focused than before and they appeal only to some of your customers.

This is where many developers make the most common mistake: they keep adding new features while making app user interface more complex. This is a trap because because all of a sudden the app is no longer simple to use and new customers find it too complicated.

The right approach is to add new features in a subtle way. This is how account folders were added to Debit & Credit. Account folders are going to be used by probably only 10–15% of my customers but for everyone else nothing will change, there are no new buttons or other interface elements in the main app window.

Why Folders Are Useful

Folders make sense when you have more than 5–6 accounts and you want to organize them. Examples of accounts that can be grouped into separate folders: business accounts, gift card accounts, accounts that were closed, etc.

Folders can be optionally hidden and you can get balance displayed for them. Here is how a folder looks like in the iOS app:

It works similarly on Mac and on Apple Watch.

How to Create and Manage Folders in Debit & Credit

To create a new folder, click on “Account” menu in the menu bar and select the relevant option. You can edit and delete folders by right clicking them in the sidebar.

In the iOS app you need to open settings and select “Accounts” section. You will be able to create new folders and manage existing ones there.

Account folders are available only if you have premium version of the app. You can read more about account folders in the user guide.