Bridging the Gap in Accommodation Booking: A UX Case Study for Voyagr

Bridging the Gap in Accommodation Booking: A UX Case Study for Voyagr

Bridging the Gap in Accommodation Booking: A UX Case Study for Voyagr

UX Design

Travel and Booking

Responsive Design

PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS

Design challenge and responsibilities overview

Challenge

Design a platform that provides comprehensive control and relevant information to simplify the accommodation booking process for travelers.

Opportunity

Build a smarter booking platform that personalize recommendations, enhances user confidence, and sets a new standard for informed decision-making in travel planning.

Responsibilities

UX/UI Design

Sketching

Prototyping

Tools

Figma

Adobe CS

Procreate

Timeline

2 weeks

BACKGROUND

Our Vision

Our vision for Voyagr is to redefine the way travelers discover accommodations by creating a platform that feels like a trusted travel companion. We aim to empower users with personalized recommendations, insightful information, and intuitive tools, helping them confidently plan getaways that align with their unique preferences. Through Voyagr, we envision a future where booking accommodations becomes an inspiring and effortless part of the travel experience.

The Process

RESEARCH

Initial Problem Discovery

Steve, the founder of Voyagr, encountered a problem when booking accommodation for his getaway to {Lake Crackenback, NSW, Australia} with his partner. He noticed a lack of relevant and supportive information, as well as controls to help him refine his search for accommodations that met his specific needs and preferences.

RESEARCH

Desk Research

Before diving into designs, I wanted to first look at websites and articles from Google's Search Engine that mentioned key statistics to be mindful of from both the consumer and the brand perspective.

Complexity

Lengthy forms, unclear steps, and hidden fees discourage users. Streamlining with fewer steps, pre-filled fields, and transparent pricing can ease the process.

Trust and Transparency

Users want secure payments, clear cancellation policies, and no hidden fees. Without these, trust declines, hurting conversions.

Lack of Personalization

Generic experiences fall short. Travelers appreciate tailored recommendations based on their preferences, history, and location.

RESEARCH

Competitor analysis

I selected three popular travel booking platforms Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and conducted competitive analysis.

Overall Airbnb is scored 9 as a direct competitor when it comes to competitiveness. Booking.com and Expedia are both ranked around ~6 as an-indirect competitor, as they are primarily focused around hotels. Booking.com does have a fairly well designed experience with a strong loyalty program.

RESEARCH

User Surveys & Interviews

Conducted user surveys and interviews with individuals who use the competition platform on regular basis. The purpose behind the research initiative was to help us gain deeper understanding of the accommodation booking experience for traveling couples.

  • The current process for researching and booking accommodation for couples.

  • The biggest struggles and frustrations for couples when they are traveling.

  • The unique preferences of what travelers look for in accommodation.

  • The non-negotiable when it comes to booking accommodation

  • What motivates a traveler(couples) to book on one platform over another.

5.1/10

Avg. researching experience score

9/10

Avg. booking experience score

80%

Participants voiced activities + accommodation

53%

Abandoned their cart due to hidden fees added during checkout

RESEARCH

Insights & Recommendation

We defined key friction points in the booking journey, highlighting opportunities to simplify the research process and improve personalization.

SYNTHESIS

User Persona

Incorporating insights from the problem discovery, user surveys, competitor analysis, and major pain points. By synthesizing the gathered data, my aim is to represent the user's preferences, pain points, and behaviors, allowing for a more focused and effective redesign for our ideal user.

Just Married Justin & Jasmine

long-term relationship/ Married with no kids.

Full-Time

Married

Sydney, NSW

A young married couple eager to create unforgettable memories together. They want to enjoy meaningful travel experiences that align with their budget and taste of culture, leisure, and romance.

Frustrations

  • Struggling to find accommodations that balance affordability with unique, romantic experiences.

  • Difficulty identifying nearby activities that are both convenient and aligned with their preferences.

  • Overwhelmed by too many options and unsure if they're making the best choice

Emotional state during the process

IDEATION

Userflows and Sitemap

I started by mapping out user flows to understand how user would navigate through the Voyagr to complete their goals. Once the flows were clear, I created a sitemap to organize the Voyagr's content in a way that feels simple and easy to navigate. Together, these steps helped lay the foundation for an intuitive and user-friendly experience.

IDEATION

Moodboard

Following the User Flows, I delved into researching mobile apps and websites renowned for their exceptional experience and user interface design. This research served as a valuable resource for my ideation process, as it enabled me to generate ideas based on designs that have successfully delighted users. Additionally, it helped me identify essential elements that should be included in the app, as well as discern what features may be unnecessary.

IDEATION

Mid-Fidelity

Next, I created wireframes to outline the app's structure and key interactions. These simple layout focused on functionality, ensuring the design aligned with user needs before moving into visual details.

FINAL DESIGNS

Design Systems

Coming Soon…