Renteasy
Online platform enabling effortless apartment rentals for students and property owners.
The problem
Students often encounter obstacles when seeking housing, especially those from abroad.
Many residences are owned by seniors who are not heavily dependent on technology and prefer a more uncomplicated lifestyle.
The goal
Create a solution which is both friendly for foreign students and reliable for senior landlords.
The solution
Create a website that simplifies the process for students to find suitable accommodation and allows landlords to rent their properties without hassle.
Features 💡
Two types of users: landlord and student.
Student Flow: users begin by selecting "student" on the landing page, then proceed to search for either a "room" or a "flat," entering the desired area and additional filters.
They then review the information card and proceed to apply.
Upon successful submission, a confirmation message is displayed.
Method ⚙️
User research 👥
A research shows that 87,731 apartments in London are empty.
Among these, some are owned by elderly landlords, who may find renting out their properties daunting.
Students, particularly those from abroad, face challenges due to language barriers or lack of support.
In the user research phase, I created two personas to deeply understand the needs and pain points of each of the user groups.
User journey map has been essential to discover the point of view of the user, digging more into his pain points and finding new features that will be required by product.
Pain points 😥
The primary pain points revolve around user knowledge. Both users require straightforward steps and language to navigate and complete tasks effectively.
Paper wireframes 📄
Paper wireframes are a quick and easy way to explore different options and iterate on ideas. I sketched out multiple versions of the main pages, experimenting with different structures and hierarchies.
Before outlining the wireframes, I find it valuable to compile a comprehensive list of all the features that will be integrated into the page.
Site map 🗺️
The sitemap played a crucial role in clarifying the structure and flow of the website.
Low fidelity prototypes 📏
The primary objective was to establish a user-friendly flow, assessing the user's ability to comprehend the personalization component and complete tasks seamlessly.
High fidelity prototype 🤖
The prototype successfully addressed the identified issues based on a second round of user testing, resulting in improved overall usability and the incorporation of additional gamification elements.
Testing 🧪
A single round of testing was conducted on the low-fidelity prototype, involving users spanning both age groups.
Restyle 🎨
Brighter colours and succinct copy was implemented in a second version.
This aimed to enhance website usability and appeal, particularly targeting the younger demographic.
Responsive
website 📲
website 📲
A website is responsive when is optimized for different devices.
Our decision to prioritise mobile and desktop was informed by research, indicating that these platforms are preferred by our user groups.
This approach ensures seamless functionality and an engaging experience across both devices.
Accessibility
Prioritizing inclusivity for a diverse audience, the website underscores readability and employs straightforward language to maximize accessibility for individuals across various backgrounds.
Style guide 📘
Challenges
1. Design approach
Adopting a top-down approach, starting with desktop design, posed a challenge. Constantly adjusting elements between mobile and desktop created complexity, making it challenging to maintain a cohesive design across both devices.
It is advisable to ensure the design is well-established on one device before incorporating another to streamline the process.
2. Visual language
Diverse target audiences may share common pain points and needs, but their preferences differ.
Striving to please everyone is a challenging task, but conducting small tests can reveal opportunities for compromise. Implementing distinct pages tailored to different target groups can effectively address this issue.
Learnings 🌱
Identifying users within the appropriate target group for testing has proven to be crucial.
Establishing the scale and determining hierarchy early in the process is fundamental for success.
“The process is quite smooth and you always know where you are and what you are doing. I wish more websites were like this!”
Next steps 🛠️
Translate the content into different languages to broaden accessibility.
Implement a chatbot and helpline for enhanced user support.
Initiate the development of a dedicated app to expand the platform's reach and functionality.
