Redefining a platform experience (SaaS)

Agency: blubolt

SaaS platform: bluCommerce

Skills: UX, UI & design library development

Introduction

The eCommerce platform bluCommerce was created in 2008, building new functionality year on year to adapt to client business goals.

Over time the system had grown unwieldy, with functionality scattered across multiple locations and an inconsistent UI. The platform was built on old technology which had deteriorating support. In recent years a separate browser-based Live Editor has also been established. This sat alongside, although separate to, the bluCommerce platform.

I was brought in to facilitate discovery and UX workshops from which I developed in-depth wireframes of the proposed platform structure. In addition, I was charged with developing the brand UI so that the new platform could look modern and clean while projecting an feeling of technological expertise with a friendly approach.

Aims

Establish a unified functionality with streamlined user experience.
Develop a new structure to house navigation, primary and secondary information.
Brand development, improving UI to be modern and consistent.
Creation of component style design library.

Approach

As lead creative and UX facilitator I led a number of workshops and directed research projects. These included:

Site map workshops with Chief Technical Officer, Technology Architect and Product Owner.
Directed and undertook data analysis (via surveys and conversation) on current issues and advantages of the bluCommerce platform. Undertaken with stakeholders and support staff.
Directed data collection to identify job roles of the users that commonly utilise the bluCommerce platform. Analysed data via persona creation and journey mapping with the Product Owner in relation to the existing platform. Made informed decisions based on this information during the development of newly proposed structure.

From the data collected the areas to prioritise could be identified. This identified the main structure of the platform as a top priority with the aim of collating the bluCommerce platform and browser based Live Editor together into a single browser-based product. The need for a secure browser-based login was also identified.

In addition, two areas "Categories" and "Collections" were identified for development. These were key pinch points for users, with large learning curves required to manage the interlinked functions which span across both sections.

Solution

Building upon the data collected in discovery, the bluCommerce platform site map was developed so that the user flow was streamlined and pinch points addressed.

The functionality housed within the Categories and Collections areas was assessed and split into 4 areas: product details, categories, navigational hierarchy, meta values and groups. Meta values and groups were renamed tags/tag groups and the method of application of these both within products and navigation were re-assessed and simplified. This enabled one section to be created called "Products" where users can view all product details and apply tags which will function across the site going forward. The rest of the function relating to navigation was moved into the CMS/Live Editor section. This enables a far more intuitive user flow.

During wireframing, the user journey through the new sections were carefully considered with the aim of creating an intuitive "step-by-step" process through each available function. This dramatically streamlines the system and reduces the training required.

I then designed a UI component library, developing the existing brand to feel modern, professional and friendly. The UI library can be added to in an on-going manner, enabling the integrity and consistency of the final design to be kept.

The following achievements enables the remaining sections bluCommerce platform to be assessed, designed and developed in an agile manner over the course of a year: