Craiglist redesign to improved UX
Existing platform
Overview
Craigslist is a classified ads website with a mission to create diverse and inclusive communities, providing a platform where everyone has a voice and offering an alternative to large media corporations.
The success of Craigslist lies in its simplicity, reliability, intimacy, functionality, and the fact that it is mostly free (with isolated exceptions) and devoid of intrusive advertisements.
My contribution
Product strategy
User research
Product design
The team
1 x UI designer
2 x UX Researcher
Year
2021
What problem are we solving?
It’s a big challenge to make online buying and selling in local communities easy and user-friendly. Current platforms like Craigslist don’t have a mobile app, making it hard for people to access and use. Without a dedicated app, the user experience isn’t as good, and it hampers the growth of the local marketplace. The goal is to fix these issues by redesigning Craigslist as a mobile app, aiming to make it easier to use, connect people, and make local trading more satisfying for everyone.
My Role
In the context of this case study, I assumed a leadership role in orchestrating the comprehensive end-to-end design process. Collaborating synergistically with two additional UX researchers, our collective efforts were dedicated to shaping and refining every facet of the design journey. This collaborative approach ensured a holistic and thorough exploration of user experience considerations throughout the entire project lifecycle.
User Research
Heuristic Evaulation
The heuristic evaluation of the Craigslist website, which currently lacks a mobile app, revealed the following issues:
H1 – Visibility and system status;
H2 – Match between system and the real world;
H5 – Error prevention;
H6 – Recognition rather than recall;
H8 – Aesthetic and minimalist design;
H9 – Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors;
H10 – Help and documentation.
Insights defined
Incorporating internal forms of communication with sellers and Craigslist, Optimizing the sales process and seller evaluations;
Branding (UI and design).
User interviews
The participants in this study are those who already make online purchases. Consequently, the questions are focused on exploring the shopping habits of those who already have experience in online shopping.
Insights defined
Saving money
Environmental considerations
Fashion/style
Users desire intuitive, easy, and comfortable-to-use apps.
There is a lack of trust in long-distance purchases due to the inability to touch or see the item, and the inability to return it if the quality is not satisfactory.
Geographical location determines the variety of items available for in-person pickup or shipping, and this, in turn, plays a crucial role in the decision-making process when buying second-hand items online.
Regular users engage with second-hand item shopping apps as a form of leisure.
User persona
The research resulted in two types of behavior based on users’ locations:
City:
Regular users due to in-person pickup opportunities.
Require less trust in the app.
Rural Area/Andorra:
Fewer opportunities for in-person pickup.
Require more trust in the app.
This led to the creation of two user personas:
Miriam, casual shopper.
Diana, frequent shopper.
User flow
The theoretical development of the user flow through the solutions is based on our hypotheses. After multiple iterations and considering user feedback, we’ve crafted an interface that aligns with our expectations. The next step involves testing the prototype with actual users to validate and refine our hypotheses in a real-world context.
Protoyping
Here is the final prototype, ready for testing with real users. After iterations and considering user feedback, we have crafted an interface that we believe meets their needs. Now, we look forward to receiving their opinions and ensuring that our application is effective and meets their expectations.
My Learnings
Throughout this project focused on redesigning Craigslist, I’ve experienced significant growth as a product designer. Tackling specific challenges, from navigation to user communication, has allowed me to apply and enhance my product design skills. The continuous iteration based on user feedback has been essential in understanding the real needs and expectations of end-users. Moreover, crafting intuitive, user-centered solutions has reinforced my commitment to human-centered design. This project has not only improved my technical skills but also deepened my appreciation for the positive impact thoughtful design can have on the user experience.
