Overview
The Roommate Finder app, a startup project, simplifies the process of finding compatible roommates for shared living arrangements. It addresses common challenges individuals face in roommate searches, streamlining the process with intuitive UX design. Users can create profiles, search based on preferences, review available room offerings, and communicate securely.
Role
Product Designer (solo)
2021
Brief
Craft a sleek, user-friendly mobile app for roommate/room searches prioritizing security.
Design an app balancing comprehensive user profiles and search functionalities with ensuring user privacy and security.
This involves implementing robust user verification systems and secure messaging features while maintaining transparent privacy policies.
Finding a compatible roommate can be a challenging and time-consuming process, often fraught with concerns about security, compatibility, and ease of communication. Existing solutions either lack robust features or fail to provide a seamless and secure user experience, leaving individuals struggling to find suitable living arrangements.
There is a need for a comprehensive mobile application that simplifies the roommate search process, ensuring user safety, and facilitating clear communication while accommodating diverse preferences and requirements.
Streamline Apartment Posting: Ensure a smooth and friendly experience for users posting available rooms or apartments, making it easy to list details and manage postings.
Provide Robust Search and Filtering: Offer comprehensive search and filtering options that allow users to find compatible roommates and available rooms based on specific criteria and preferences.
Facilitate Effective Communication: Integrate secure and straightforward communication tools that enable users to connect, discuss, and make informed decisions about potential roommates or rooms.
Roommate Seekers: Individuals looking for compatible roommates to share their existing living spaces, aiming to find someone with similar lifestyles and preferences.
Room Seekers: People searching for available rooms or apartments to rent, focusing on finding suitable living arrangements that match their needs and budget.
Young Professionals: Individuals in their 20s and 30s who are starting their careers and looking for affordable and convenient living arrangements close to their workplaces.
College Students and Recent Graduates: University and college students seeking roommates to share apartments or dorm rooms, often looking for compatibility in study habits and lifestyles.
Frequent Movers: Individuals who relocate frequently for work or personal reasons and need a reliable platform to find and connect with potential roommates quickly and efficiently.
Evaluate and prioritize the usability issues of the similar apps and prepare a report with recommended actions. Discover the usability issues, and uncover user needs for the following production updates.
Key question: What features should we prioritize to ensure user satisfaction and app effectiveness?
User Verification: Users value robust verification for security but desire simpler process.
Search Filters: Comprehensive but sometimes too complex; simplifying them could improve usability.
Profile Creation: Detailed profiles are appreciated, but the creation process needs to be quicker and easier.
Communication Tools: In-app messaging is essential. Security must be main focus.
User Interface: A modern, appealing design is needed.
Listing Accuracy: Issues with outdated listings cause frustration; better listing management is required.
| Competitive Analysis | Competitor A | Competitor B | Competitor C |
| User Verification | Good: Includes user verification and background checks to enhance safety. Flaw: Some features are locked behind a paywall, limiting access for free users. | Good: Integrates social media for user verification. Flaw: Some users find the social media integration invasive. | Good: Basic verification processes provide an added layer of security. Flaw: Free version has limited features compared to the premium version. |
| Search Filters | Good: Offers basic search filters to help find compatible roommates. Flaw: Search results can occasionally be inaccurate or outdated. | Good: Provides comprehensive search and filtering options. Flaw: Subscription costs for the feature. | Good: Good search and filtering options available. Flaw: The interface can be cluttered and overwhelming for new users. |
| User Interface | Good: Simple and intuitive interface with easy navigation. Flaw: The design could be more visually appealing and modern. | Good: Clean design with modern elements. Flaw: Poor IA. Users sometimes report difficulty navigating the app and finding features. | Good: Functional and informative layout. Flaw: Can appear cluttered and overwhelming to some users. |
| Messaging System | Good: In-app messaging system for direct communication. | Good: In-app messaging and video chat for initial interactions. Flaw: Reports of fake listings and scammers reduce trust. | No In-app messaging. |
| User Profiles | Good: Allows detailed profiles with preferences and lifestyle details. Flaw: Profile creation to long and cumbersome. | Good: Detailed profiles for better compatibility matching. Flaw: Lack of Reporting feature. | Good: Allows detailed profiles for better matching. Flaw: Some users report issues with outdated or inaccurate listings. |
By offering comprehensive profile creation tools and robust filtering controls, the app ensures that both target audiences can easily find suitable matches. Roommate seekers can create detailed profiles outlining their preferences and lifestyle, while room providers can list available rooms with specific criteria. This dual functionality fosters a balanced ecosystem where users can seamlessly connect based on their compatibility, enhancing the overall user experience of the Roommate Finder app.
The client was highly satisfied with the delivery of a cutting-edge mobile app, equipped with a comprehensive range of features such as room offerings, facility details, user preferences, secure messaging, and personalized matches. The app was fully prepared for investor presentations.
