Map search!
Beauty On Demand
Version 1.1
Post Launch Learnings
After the launch of V1 (check out the case study here), we received a lot of useful feedback that enabled me to get a better understanding of users’ search behaviours and expectations.
Key Learnings
1. Location based search
Users want to see artists who operate around specific locations, not just around their own home
2. Promotions/Loyalty
Discount coupons, special promotions and sales are a core element in the Thai market, and this would also play a big role in onboarding new customers.
⏳ I'll be covering this in a separate case study.
Map based search!
When searching based on locations, maps usually make the most sense. However, in my experience, the biggest challenge is to design a map experience that is smooth and intuitive on a mobile screen.
How do other apps do it?
I looked for inspiration in other apps that rely on map-based search.
AirBnB
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Pro: It’s a great idea to show the list view on swiping up, and the map view on swiping down.
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Con: A lot of zooming in and out required for overlapping pins.
Redfin
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Pro: Good idea to group multiple properties into a single pin and show the total number in that group. Tapping the grouped pin automatically zooms in for a clearer view.
Con: Zooming is still necessary.
✅ Trulia
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Pro: Tapping a pin creates a radius around it and a list appears from the bottom of the screen. This list also includes any other pins that fall within that radius.
Con: None maybe? I felt this was a genius solution!
Trulia's Way
Ideation & Brainstorming
Map View & Search by Location
At this stage I considered how to best tackle the map based approach and what challenges each approach could present.
Option 1
Use the universal search bar to search for locations and artists both
Challenge
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Technically difficult to run autocomplete combined for locations and artists.
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Also visually cluttered if we mix locations and artists in the same autocomplete
Option 2
Search only by location (no artist search).
Challenge
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How would users search and find artists by name?
✅ Option 3
Separate search flow for artists and locations.
Challenge
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It might not be easily discoverable for the user, but this approach makes the least compromise.
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Definitely worth testing.
Modifying the flow
Based on Option 3, I modified the existing flow to accommodate for a map view. We signed off this approach internally first and then I got down to prototyping.
User Testing for Discoverability
I prepared a prototype to see if users would be able to navigate the booking flow without issue while also utilizing the map view. The test sessions were held at Micky’s residence with 11 participants.
Key Findings
I had decided to start with a map view when customers would begin their search. However, I quickly saw that the customers seemed to be lost as soon as the map would be displayed. They did pick up eventually, but it was clear that there was a visible pause while they figured out where to go from the map view.
Reason 1
No clear call to action
Deeper investigation revealed that the customers could not find a clear path forward once they were presented with the map. Do they tap the markers on the map? It wasn’t immediately clear and required some trial and error.
Reason 2
Customers preferred a list view! 🤪
I was amazed to find this contradiction with my previous findings. The users said that it was odd to see just a map with markers because they were expecting to see artists in the results. I then realized that the earlier demand for a map view was more for supplementing the list view than for replacing it entirely.
Solution
I understood now that the map view was a supplemental feature and that the list view was still the preferred method, at least at the beginning of the search process. I simply swapped the order of the screens, that is, the customer was presented with a list view at the beginning of the search process, and then they were free to switch between that and the map view at will. It worked like a charm.
Final Design
The final screens were then signed off and we had an enhanced search flow. Behold the new and improved search!