Customer Reviews (500)

Gone whalin • 2024-12-08T17:17:31-07:00

It’s a tool I start on Wednesday checking weather for weekend very easy to use. Swell predictions. Wind. Tides. I still use noaa website to & noaa bouys to get the best results. But still I can find myself on the fence at times. I try to get out on work days when possible

Bottom dwellers • 2024-11-25T16:17:30-07:00

Having trouble using the forecast feature seems to be a problem

DaveK Miami • 2024-10-24T06:50:08-07:00

All in one app for fishing. Tides, water temp, satellite, radar, gps and much more. Great backup if gps fails.

Summary of Key Insights

  • FishWeather is generally well-regarded as a valuable tool for fishermen and boaters, particularly for its accurate wind forecasts and access to weather stations. The app provides access to a variety of weather parameters (tides, water temperature, etc.) which help improve the fishing experience.
  • The app suffers from recurring technical issues, including crashing, login problems, and features disappearing behind paywalls or malfunctioning after updates.
  • There's a sentiment among some users that the app has become increasingly focused on subscriptions and upgrades, limiting the functionality of the free version.
  • Accuracy of forecasts, especially wind and wave height, is a major factor in user satisfaction. Inaccurate data can lead to user frustration and safety concerns.
  • Customer service responsiveness is a notable area for improvement.
  • The overall sentiment is positive, but the negative reviews often highlight critical functionality issues that need addressing.
  • The overall rating based on the review distribution is approximately 4.2 stars. The distribution shows a strong positive bias with 69% of reviews giving 5 stars.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: ~4.2 stars
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5 Stars: 69% (345 reviews)
    • 4 Stars: 15.4% (77 reviews)
    • 3 Stars: 4% (20 reviews)
    • 2 Stars: 1.6% (8 reviews)
    • 1 Star: 10% (50 reviews)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the reviews, the timeframe spans several years with more recent reviews being the most relevant.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment analysis: Determining the overall positive, negative, or neutral sentiment expressed in the reviews.
    • Keyword extraction: Identifying frequently used words and phrases to understand the key topics and concerns of users.
    • Issue categorization: Grouping similar issues and feature requests to identify common pain points and areas for improvement.

Key User Pain Points

  • Technical Issues/Bugs: Crashing, freezing, login problems, map loading failures, inability to load favorite locations, sea surface temperatures disappearing. These are the most frequent complaints.
    • Impact: Frustration, inability to use the app, potentially unsafe situations if users rely on faulty data.
  • Subscription/Paywall Issues: Features disappearing behind paywalls, difficulty canceling subscriptions, being prompted to upgrade even after purchasing a subscription, complaints about the cost of subscriptions relative to the value provided.
    • Impact: Perception of greed, reduced value for users, negative impact on user experience.
  • Forecast Inaccuracy: Inaccurate wind and wave height predictions, especially in specific locations.
    • Impact: Unreliable information, potentially dangerous situations if users rely on incorrect forecasts, frustration.
  • Customer Service Issues: Lack of responsiveness from customer support, difficulty resolving issues with subscriptions or app functionality.
    • Impact: Frustration, lack of trust in the developer, inability to resolve problems.
  • Usability Issues: Difficult navigation, unintuitive interface, difficulty finding specific locations or features, chart display problems.
    • Impact: Frustration, difficulty using the app, reduced user satisfaction.
  • Missing Features: Disappearance of wave height prediction chart, inability to see currents after purchase.
    • Impact: Reduced functionality, frustration, unmet expectations.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Accuracy: Especially for wind and wave height predictions in specific locations.
  • More Local Weather Stations: Particularly for specific fishing areas or bodies of water.
  • Wave Data: Several users mentioned the removal of wave height prediction or have experienced issues with wave data not displaying.
  • Tide Tables: Integration of tide tables within the app.
  • Satellite Version: For use in remote areas without cell service.
  • Functional Compass: Integration of a compass within the app for better wind direction understanding.
  • Improved Search Function: More accurate and specific search results for locations.
  • Navigation Chart Overlay: Ability to see navigational charts while zoomed in.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Accurate Wind Forecasts: Many users praise the app's accuracy in predicting wind speed and direction, especially compared to other weather sources like NOAA.
  • Comprehensive Data: Access to a wide range of weather parameters, including tides, water temperature, and wave height (when functioning correctly).
  • Helpful for Fishing and Boating: Users find the app valuable for planning fishing trips, making safe decisions on the water, and identifying optimal fishing conditions.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Some users find the app easy to use and navigate, providing quick access to essential information.
  • Local Weather Stations: Access to a large network of weather stations, including proprietary Tempest Weather Systems, provides localized weather information.
  • Valuable for Commercial Use: Commercial fishermen and charter boat captains rely on the app for making informed decisions about safety and operations.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Technical Issues/Bugs: Address crashing, freezing, login problems, and other technical issues that prevent users from using the app. Implement thorough testing before releasing updates.
  • Improve Customer Service: Respond promptly to user inquiries and provide effective solutions to technical issues and subscription problems.
  • Address Subscription/Paywall Issues: Ensure that users receive the features they pay for and make it easy to cancel subscriptions. Consider offering a more generous free tier or more affordable subscription options.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Forecast Accuracy: Continuously improve the accuracy of wind and wave height predictions, especially in specific locations. Consider incorporating user feedback to refine forecast models.
  • Enhance Usability: Simplify navigation, improve the intuitiveness of the interface, and make it easier to find specific locations and features.
  • Restore Missing Features: Bring back the wave height prediction chart and other features that have been removed or are not functioning correctly.
  • Improve Search Function: Implement a more accurate and specific search function for locations.

Low Priority:

  • Add Requested Features: Consider adding tide tables, a satellite version, a functional compass, and other features requested by users.
  • Enhance Chart Display: Improve the display of charts, including navigational chart overlays.
  • Wind Direction Labeling: Provide labels for wind direction arrows (N, NW, etc.) for clarity.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyperlocal Marine Weather Forecasting Service: A subscription service that uses AI and machine learning to provide highly accurate, location-specific marine weather forecasts for fishermen and boaters. This could be integrated with real-time data from user-installed weather stations.
  • Marine Weather Station Network: A network of affordable, easy-to-install weather stations designed specifically for coastal environments. This could provide a valuable source of data for improving marine weather forecasts.
  • Subscription Management Tool: A tool that helps users manage their various weather app subscriptions and identify the best value for their needs.
  • Mobile App for Marine Safety: An app that combines weather forecasts, navigation tools, and emergency communication features to enhance safety on the water.

Trends and Observations

  • Subscription Fatigue: Users are increasingly sensitive to the cost of subscriptions and are more likely to abandon apps that they perceive as being too expensive or not providing enough value.
  • Importance of Accuracy: Accuracy is the most important factor in user satisfaction. Inaccurate forecasts can lead to frustration and safety concerns.
  • Impact of Updates: Updates can have a significant impact on user experience. Thorough testing is essential to avoid introducing bugs or breaking existing functionality.
  • Need for Responsiveness: Users expect prompt and helpful customer service. Lack of responsiveness can damage trust and lead to negative reviews.

Conclusion

FishWeather is a valuable tool for fishermen and boaters, but it needs to address several key issues to maintain its positive reputation and attract new users. The most important priorities are fixing technical issues, improving customer service, and addressing subscription/paywall concerns. By focusing on these areas, FishWeather can enhance user satisfaction, improve retention, and solidify its position as a leading marine weather app. Overall, FishWeather has great potential, but needs to focus on reliability and user experience to continue its success.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fishweather-marine-forecasts/id555644333?uo=2