Absolutely it can be applied. HIVE is a business just like any other which has a user base. If people have a good experience then they will stay, if they have a bad experience then they will leave. It was one of the greatest failings on the old site, that people had horrible experiences and left in large numbers. They tried to get things changes to make that experience better but the designers would not listen and it bled users for two years. HIVE is slightly better but still has a lot of issues before it can do well but leofinance has made the biggest strides.
They have designed a business around their customer base and have done a great job there. If gives a much better user experience than any other tribe or chain and the results are clear. People use it, new people are joining and people are happy here. That is how you create success. Over time they will keep expanding and we will see huge results.