Does our website Float?
Client: LetsFloat.com
Methods: Heuristic Analysis, Remote Usability Testing, In-Lab Usability Testing, Usability Review
Tools: Axure, Keynote, Bluejeans, Trello
“Does our website float with customers?” was the question I was approached with when I was asked to review the website letsfloat.com. The Float website serves as a peer-2-peer rental marketplace connecting boat owners to people who are looking to rent a boat. I was asked to evaluate the site and suggest improvements to their online customer experience.
Site Goal:
“Support a hassle free and secure process for listing, searching for and renting boats.”
The first step in this evaluation was to conduct a Heuristic analysis to gain a basic understanding of the Float site. The Float stakeholders supplied me with a list of basic tasks that boat owners and renter would accomplish when using the site. I attempted to complete these tasks looking to identify areas of the site worth testing with actual site users.
To further analyize Float, my team conducted two rounds of user testing on the website. Each member of our team conducted several remote usability tests using a web tool called Bluejeans. The team worked together to conduct an entire day of in-lab usability tests with potential users of the site. We asked each participant to use the Float site to complete a series of tasks important to either listing or renting boats using the site.
Site goals were communicated to our team, we used these goals to shape our user tests.
After finishing our day of usability testing, we synthesized our findings to report back to the stakeholders at Float. I put together a findings and recommendations report detailing our teams findings. I built working prototypes of our teams ideas using the program Axure RP. The stakeholders at Float were really excited to receive the prototypes and report. I’m really proud of the work my team did on this project. The information we uncovered seems to have proven valuable. The team at Float went ahead and implemented a few of the changes that we suggested for their website.
A 2-way mirror helped our team to observe users interactions with Float.
Float is moving towards their first summer of business in Minnesota (aka. The land of 10,000 lakes). Hopefully, their business takes off sailing! I enjoyed having an opportunity to help contribute to Float’s story.
A detailed report and suggestions were submitted to Float for review.