Empik Go: Books at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere

Back in 2017, the Polish ebook and audiobook market was gaining momentum. Empik saw this opportunity and decided to develop a mobile app for reading and listening that provides the users a seamless access to digital books. 

The goal was to create an intuitive, user-oriented solution that seamlessly integrates with Empik’s ecosystem. With that in mind, we started the Empik Go project with a comprehensive UX/UI audit UX/UI audit on a design project prepared by the client and came up with a detailed design improvement strategy. The priority? Enabling users to listen to their favourite books on the go, even in the offline mode, on any device and in any place.

Fast forward a few years later, and Empik GO has established itself as a leading application for ebooks and audiobooks among Polish readers. Its continuously growing user base proves that the app has responded to usability needs. The expanding catalog keeps attracting new subscribers and providing additional value to existing clients of Empik.

The secret behind this success lies in carefully crafted features, a clean interface, and a solid architecture that address the unique challenges of the ebook and audiobook market while supporting Empik’s ambitions. Let’s break it down and see how the app rose to the top of its category.

01. Securing highest app performance regardless of traffic

One of the main challenges was to build a solution that could seamlessly absorb traffic spikes without degrading the user experience. If the app isn’t designed to handle heavy traffic, users can experience issues such as long loading times, interrupted downloads, or even app crashes, and ultimately churn. For ebook readers, these risks are most evident during the evening and commuting hours, when demand is at its highest.

02. Providing competitive user experience

When the Empik Go app was entering the market, other big players were also launching their ebook and audiobook applications. Although the extensive catalog is what draws users most, disappointing UX is one of the main reasons for churn, especially in this niche. The interface and user experience therefore had to be simple, intuitive, and inclusive, taking visually and hearing-challenged users into account.

03. Designing a browsing flow that stimulates sales

The extensive catalog was Empik’s standout feature, but to bring significant profit, it needed the right approach to discovery. We designed the browsing experience in a way that encourages users to scroll through the catalog, facilitates finding their “treasures,” and at the same time is not too overwhelming. That required thoughtful UX, efficient backend indexing and search, and optimized API calls to handle large catalog queries without slowing down the user interface.

04. Ensuring offline access

Enabling offline access to ebooks and audiobooks was one of Empik’s priorities. The key challenge? Making sure that content could be securely downloaded and stored on the device without compromising performance or user privacy. At the same time, the system had to efficiently manage storage limits and synchronize reading progress once the user reconnected to the internet.

05. Seamless access across devices

The “anytime, anywhere” principle meant Empik Go had to be accessible online and offline, on various devices. This also extended to vehicles, as Empik Go was supposed to be compatible with Android Auto. That meant designing a UI with a security-first approach and complying with Google’s strict design guidelines for apps allowed on Android Auto.

06. Solving background audio challenges

Both iOS and Android have constraints around background audio. The app needed to request appropriate permissions, manage audio sessions, and ensure audio continued reliably even when the app was backgrounded or the device was sleeping. It was also essential to ensure it handled interruptions (incoming calls, alarms) well so that playback paused and resumed properly.

01. “Endless” browsing that drives sales

In the Empik Go app, users can keep discovering titles without hitting visible limits. The UI/UX design approach we adopted allows for smooth browsing of the extensive catalog and makes it easy for the user to reach the most relevant items in a short time, improving overall experience and enhancing conversion.

02. Personalized reading experience

The ebook reader is highly customizable, enabling users to navigate their reading experience in their preferred way. They can adjust the font size, font style, and background color, as well as add bookmarks, take notes, and highlight important parts of books to keep track of key information.

03. Customized personal library

Personalized recommendations help users find the perfect matches in the extensive catalog. The app enables them to curate their own personal library effortlessly and offers modes like “nap” and “kids” to accommodate specific needs.

04. Omnichannel experience

The in-app Empik Go Library gathers all purchased audiobooks and ebooks in one place and is synchronized with the user’s Y.com account. Thanks to this feature, users can instantly see their purchases in their Library and start reading right away. Through an integrated in-app store, users can purchase ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts, and more by individual titles or using gift vouchers.

05. Clean UI that prioritizes content

In the case of ebook and audiobook apps, content is king. In other words, the best interface is the one you barely even notice. We applied this rule in the Empik Go app, reducing the interface to a minimum. The entire app is designed not to distract the user, with neutral colors and backgrounds and minimal use of visual components.

06. Offline playback and frictionless background audio

The Empik Go app allows users to download ebooks and audiobooks securely to enjoy them offline without performance issues. Playback works seamlessly in the background, with features like sleep timer, chapter navigation, and speed adjustment. Interruptions such as incoming calls are handled smoothly, ensuring users never lose their place or rhythm while listening.

07. Cross-platform compatibility

The Empik Go app is available on iOS and Android, integrates with Kindle, PocketBook, inkBOOK, and the dedicated GoBook reader, and is also accessible via Android Auto. This broad compatibility ensures that users can enjoy their content anytime, anywhere, on the device of their choice. Synchronization across platforms guarantees a consistent experience, whether at home, on the go, or behind the wheel.

01. High retention and growing sales

Over the years, Empik GO has steadily built a loyal base of long-term users. Reliable performance during peak hours, combined with seamless offline and background playback, plays a key role in sustaining retention. Personalization features such as customizable readers and tailored recommendations make the experience both unique and engaging, strengthening user loyalty. The omnichannel strategy, with the app at its core, has also translated into tangible business results, contributing to a 15.5% increase in Empik Group’s revenue in 2022.

02. Exponentially growing user base

Empik Go’s user base exceeds 2 million and continues to grow, having increased by 40% in 2024. Extensive catalog and frictionless discovery flow that keeps new users engaged contribute to its growing popularity. Cross-platform availability ensures it attracts audiences across devices, from mobile to dedicated readers and even cars. With a balanced mix of subscription and one-off purchases, it appeals to different user preferences, expanding its reach.

03. Platform built for growth

The EmpikGo app was designed with scalability in mind, using optimized APIs, efficient indexing, and robust backend architecture. Its modular structure allows for adding new features such as offline enhancements or additional content formats without compromising performance. This flexibility ensures that the app can evolve alongside market trends and user expectations, sustaining long-term growth.