IronHacks assignment on Usability and Site Redesign
Introduction and ascenario…
For the IronHack UX/UI course it is asked to perform a usability evaluation and site redesign. In order to do so I chose a target group, the group of users that will perform a task and evaluate the use of a mobile webpage. For this assignment the user group selected are young couples that want to travel the world for half a year. The idea is that these couples plan their trip one year in advance. They saved enough money to have an unforgettable trip together — a memory to share for a lifetime together. The mobile travel webpages of Kayak, Skyscanner and Hooper were compared upfront. It turns out that Kayak and Hooper do not offer mobile webpages directly useful for half year trips. Kayak has no option to plan that far ahead, and Hooper directly asks for downloading a mobile app. So the usability testing will concern the Skyscanner mobile webpage trying to find the perfect world-trip.
The main problems found when interviewed users.
During the 5 seconds test the users reacted quite positive on the landing page of Skyscanner. It shows only one page, not necessary to scroll down much, and not needed to directly download a mobile app. When the users started to find a perfect match in terms of travel — they all started with filling in the dates. Tapping the departure date and the return date was somehow confusing. While tapping the return date — after the departure date- it took a small while and the impatient user directly tapped the return date again. Which caused the departure date to switch to the return date in the future (in our case 6 months later). So the user needed to scroll back to the departure date to start again. When continuing finding destinations recommended for the selected dates, several destinations are shown. Prices of the travel are hidden. Which made the user somehow confused, since they most of the time select primary on prices shown. So the user moved on by checking out travels to Brazil. So many destinations within Brazil were shown. Unfortunately small cities did not have a picture, compared to bigger cities that were pretty shown in a photo. The user was left afraid of missing out on beautiful places, since they were not given any impression in the first place. You never get a second chance - for your first impression.
Main problems chosen to solve:
For this assignment the focus is on the experienced problem during tapping departure date and return date. Because of the download time, there is a risk the user will tapp twice its return date which switches the departure date to that day. And causes a loop in the flow, having to try to select the best dates again. Also the issue of un-shown prices tin the first screen of possible destinations is analysed in order to optimise it.
Planned to redesign and solve this pain point
The plan is to redesign the part of the mobile webpage covering the selection of dates and the shown prices of the list of possible destinations. With some lightning demo activity, checking out existing webpages that offer different functionalities and interfaces, an adjusted wireframe will be drawn and eventually digitally designed by whimsical.
Photos of the lo-fi wireframe
Few key take aways
Throughout this process I learned the importance of different user groups having different end goals to achieve. One user group could focus on half a year travelling around the world, while another user group will be more satisfied by a complete pre-organised travel with organised groups. I also learned that different platforms can offer different functionalities and interfaces that might be preferred by certain user groups. In the end it is so useful to do the interviews which will make sure you will not redesign anything based on assumptions. Moreover whimsical is a brilliant tool to wireframe fast and easy. Excited for the next assignment.