Quickcycle
Prompt
QuickCycle is a startup online bicycle retailer. One of the core features of their website will be the interface by which users find the ‘right’ bike within QuickCycle's sizable inventory. Design both the UX and visual look for this interface.
Challenges
- Bikes are a high-involvement purchase
Bikes are a usually a high-involvement purchase. Lots of research goes into the purchase of a bike whether the customer is an expert or first time buyer. It is important to create a user-friendly experience to both first-time shoppers and bikers with expert knowledge.
Solution: Focus on presenting the most important information while giving the option to access additional specs and FAQ about each bike. Provide space for purchaser reviews.
- Varying use of Search Function
Some customers will arrive to the Quickcycle site knowing exactly what type of bike they're interested in buying. They'll want to search for an exact brand of bike or even a model number. Others will use the Quickcycle site to filter through different types of bikes, compare multiple options, and learn about the most popular and recommended bikes.
Solution:
- Lots of related information
The purchase of a bike is often paired with the purchase of various bike accessories: a helmet, speedometer, water bottle holder, safety lights, or a specialized type of seat. Presenting this information is just as important as the bike purchase itself.
Solution:
- There's more to Quickcyle than just buying bikes and helmets
The goal of Quickcycle is to help customers find the perfect bike through an easy navigable search/filter system. With this goal in mind, it is also important for the company/branding of Quickcyle to make people want to buy its bikes in the first place.
Solution:Information about company history paired with a unique look and feel
References
- Design Within Reach
DWR breaks down its filters into two categories: "Featured" and "Shop by Category".
- Liberty
Accessing filter options when hovering over the top navigation bar allows for a more savvy site visitor to quickly find what they're looking for.
- ShopBop
The filter system allows you to check off exactly which designers you're interested in browsing within specific categories.
- Specialized
"Find your bike" separates types of bikes by intended use. The paired photo of bike belonging to that use helps visitors start to understand the different bike bodies and styles available without getting into specifics.