Metro NZ

UI UX BRANDING APPLICATION DESIGN UX RESEARCH CASE STUDY

UI UX BRANDING APPLICATION DESIGN UX RESEARCH CASE STUDY

Metro NZ Property Management Ltd is a one-stop rental property management company. As part of my final project for my UX course I conducted a design challenge to redesign the Metro NZ website.

BACKGROUND

The site's organization and navigation were far from optimal, leading to confusion and frustration among users. The Metro NZ website presented significant challenges in terms of user experience, particularly in the context of the rental and search pages.

THE PROBLEM

At the start of my research phase, I placed a strong emphasis on creating a user-friendly design and flow that would enhance the user experience. In addition to this, I aimed to integrate new features into the design to facilitate the search for rental properties that accommodate pets, making it more convenient for users.

PLANNING & GOALS

RESEARCH

In order to understand the problem and the users needs, I conducted a survey using Google Forms. Here are some of their answers and data I collected:

“I can’t find a section where I can search for the properties to rent.”

“I would like to search around before becoming a tenant.”

“The tenancy application button sounds like I have to make a commitment.”

“The home page is too noisy. I don’t know where to start.”

82%

Did not successfully find the booking form for a new rental.

65%

Said that they would find it easer if you could see if the place was pet friendly.

23%

Said they would come back to Metro NZ.

I chose to develop personas using the insights gathered from interviews and research data. This approach helps us gain a deeper understanding and empathy for the website's target users.

Persona

Mary is a responsible & goal-oriented individual who is seeking a rental property in Auckland that aligns with her career and pet ownership

A pet-friendly environment with a suitable space for her dog Max. Rent budget is a maximum of $500 per week. Prioritizes a suitable workspace for remote work

Needs:

Ensuring the property she chooses is pet-friendly and has a welcoming environment for Max.

Frustrations:

The problem statement

"Many tenants experience difficulties in discovering a property that aligns with their individual requirements and preferences, indicating a need for an improved user experience in the property search process."

As a Tenant looking for a rental property in Auckland I want to browse and find rental properties easily so that I can find the right property for me.

User Story

How Might We

How might we empower tenants to find the right property for them?

The goal is to create a straightforward and user-friendly experience, that empowers tenants to quickly and easily find the right property.

This should streamline the rental search process, provide accurate and relevant information about available properties, and help tenants make informed decisions about where to live.
Ultimately, the aim is to create a user experience that is efficient, intuitive and enjoyable, making the rental process a positive experience for tenants.

This is where I started the second double diamond stage.

THE SOLUTION

This led me to develop a user flow, mapping out the most efficient routes for users to navigate the website with ease and speed.

User Flow

WIREFRAMES

I went on to wireframing so that we could quickly make changes and gather feedback from stakeholders, developers, and users before moving to the higher-fidelity prototypes and final designs.


This were the design solution really started coming to life.

Home Page
Listing Page

For my design solution there are 2 types of users and two routes - direct vs scenic route.

  • Direct route - Users that already know they want to go with MPM will go straight to filling out the search filters when they land on the homepage.

  • Scenic route - These are the users that are not to sure if they want to go with MPM and need to be convinced in the homepage about section, services, testimonials, and latest listings.

Design Rationale

USABILITY TESTING

I wanted to validate the design decisions made with users' expectations and preferences so I conducted user testing. This ensures that the product meets the needs of the target audience.

Usability testing Methodology

Participants performed tasks such as finding a place to rent, searching for an animal-friendly place, and booking a viewing.

Participants' interactions and feedback were observed and recorded.

After completing the tasks, participants rated their experience on a scale of 1 to 5.

The findings highlighted several areas for improvement, including clarifying text, enhancing the booking view, and adding new features such as region selection and additional filters.

Addressing these findings will help improve the overall usability and user satisfaction of the website.

Usability testing Summary

THE PRODUCT

Easily explore and search for your next rental property

Filters like pet-friendliness, availability of parking, number of bedrooms, and proximity to parks and gyms.

Easily check viewing times and direct booking with agent

The booking function provides users with the convenience of checking the available viewing times for a property without the need to contact the property manager directly.

OUTCOMES

  • The improved organization and navigation significantly reduced user confusion.

  • The rental and search pages saw a marked enhancement in usability during testing.

  • Positive feedback from users, reflecting increased satisfaction.

This project showcases my commitment to delivering impactful user experiences by identifying and solving specific pain points. The Metro NZ website redesign reflects my expertise in user-centered design, information architecture and iterative testing.