Fitclub, a fitness app, has tasked me with revamping its messaging features. Additionally, the app faces a retention rate issue, with users losing interest after three weeks.
While adding a messaging feature is straightforward, the challenge lies in incorporating more social elements to encourage user engagement and utilization of the messaging features.
How might we incorporate the messaging feature?
Along with the messaging component, how might we make this fitness app more social?
The aim of this revamp is to introduce a messaging feature within the app, alongside enhancing social engagement leading to more higher retention rate
The idea
The aim of this revamp is to introduce a messaging feature within the app, alongside enhancing social engagement leading to more higher retention rate
Role
UX Designer and UX Researcher
Timeline
January 2024 - Mar 2024
Constraints
Cumbersome Processes
The onboarding process for Nike Run Club was frustrating due to security measures that required switching between apps.
Under Armour's Mapmyrun also impressed with its simplicity, facilitating easy user navigation to their workouts.
Lack of Social Interaction
Under Armour's Mapmyrun was disappointing due to paywalls and limited social interaction features.
Limits of Gamification
Secondary Research: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
My research shows that around 30% of users lose interest in the app over time due to the fading novelty of gamification.
To address this, I plan to implement three key features:
Messaging to enhance communication.
Clubs to build a sense of community.
Club-based challenges to maintain user engagement.
These enhancements aim to tackle user retention issues and keep users actively involved with the app.
FitClubv1
Messaging Feature
The messaging feature was a critical component in the app revamp. From the outset, it was essential to ensure the design was simple and intuitive, maintaining the overall ease of use.
The simplicity of the messaging component is vital to creating a frictionless user experience. I aimed to design a messaging system that allows users to communicate effortlessly, ensuring it aligns with the app’s goal of being user-friendly and accessible.
Club
In the first iteration of the app, it was crucial to distinguish it from other apps I had researched.
To highlight this differentiation, I incorporated a Club Creation flow during onboarding, inspired by Discord's approach towards their onboarding.
Challenges
The club challenge was designed to keep users engaged with their fitness goals through trackable, segmented targets and group support, enhancing motivation and helping users achieve their objectives collectively.
While solo challenges were valuable, implementing club challenges was crucial to:
Encourage user interaction.
Foster community building and support, enriching the fitness journey.
FitClubv1 Usability Test
Messaging Feature
In the first iteration, the effort to simplify content led to the omission of key components essential for intuitive messaging, causing users to abandon the page.
Users encountered difficulties messaging friends from the inbox due to the absence of a contact list, making it impossible to complete the task effectively.
Post-Workout Sharing
In the first round of testing, users were tasked with sharing their workouts. While most completed the task smoothly, several expressed a preference for sharing their workouts after completing them.
In the next iteration, I plan to add a feature that allows users to share their workouts post-session.
Text Density
Additionally, I redesigned the challenge pages to be visually appealing and less overwhelming. This was achieved by incorporating progress wheels and reducing text density, while still retaining all necessary information and content.
FitClubv2
Comprehensive Messaging Feature
In the second iteration of the messaging feature, I aimed to create a more comprehensive experience.
I integrated the club chat and friends list with the inbox, enabling users to easily find and message others directly from a single location.
Customization
The next area I focused on revamping was the customization and reward systems.
To boost engagement, I introduced rewards like badges to highlight users' achievements and express their personality.
Customization allows users to personalize their accounts, fostering a stronger connection to the app.
Solo Challenges
Another issue was the similarity of both the challenge page in the first iteration.
I redesigned the challenge information page to differentiate each challenge, highlighting features specific to each, such as adding a leaderboard for group challenges.
About
Versatile professional with experience in bakery operations, military service as an Navy Aviation Ordnanceman, and a Bachelor's in Product Design focusing on soft goods. Seeking to transition into UX design, merging creativity, technical skills, and a user-centered approach. Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing user experiences across digital platforms.
Contact
About
Versatile professional with experience in bakery operations, military service as an Navy Aviation Ordnanceman, and a Bachelor's in Product Design focusing on soft goods. Seeking to transition into UX design, merging creativity, technical skills, and a user-centered approach. Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing user experiences across digital platforms.
Contact
Usability testing was invaluable in the project to highlight key areas for FitClub app improvement. Next steps would be to continue to iterate and incorporate more social elements to encourage users, more customization, and developing a more robust and collaborative Club Challenge
Conclusion/Next Steps
About
Versatile professional with experience in bakery operations, military service as an Navy Aviation Ordnanceman, and a Bachelor's in Product Design focusing on soft goods. Seeking to transition into UX design, merging creativity, technical skills, and a user-centered approach. Dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing user experiences across digital platforms.
Contact
The challenge
"Over the years, the footwear industry has adapted standardized sizing to their own metrics based on various factors such as style, heel height, materials, construction type, sole thickness, brand, intended use, and other priorities." (Rossi 403)
Currently, consumers can't be 100% confident in the sizing of their footwear purchases due to manufacturers adhering to their sizing standards.
How might we increase consumer confidence when purchasing footwear?
The idea
My application aims to make this easier by offering consumers clear and accessible sizing information for each footwear model, including measurements in inches and centimeters, to assist them in discovering their next perfect pair of shoes.
