Company: FinWise | Fintech App

Role: UX Product  Designer

 

As an individual product designer for FinWise, a fintech app launched in early 2022, my goal was to create a user-friendly platform that empowers individuals to manage their finances effectively. FinWise combines budgeting tools, expense tracking, investment insights, and goal-setting features into one seamless experience. Despite its potential, the app faced significant challenges in user engagement and retention.

Challenge

After the initial launch, it became clear that many users were downloading the app but quickly abandoning it. User feedback indicated that the app’s complexity was overwhelming, leading to confusion about how to fully utilize its features. This highlighted the urgent need for a more intuitive design that could simplify the user experience and encourage ongoing engagement.

Objective

My objective was to enhance the overall user experience to increase active user engagement by 50% within six months. This required simplifying the onboarding process, clarifying navigation, and ensuring users felt confident and informed while using the app.

Research Methods

•  Surveys: Conducted with 100 potential users to gather quantitative data on financial habits.

•  Interviews: Engaged with 20 participants for qualitative insights into their experiences and

    challenges.

•  Competitive Analysis: Reviewed features and user feedback of leading fintech apps.

 

Key Findings

•  Users feel overwhelmed by complex financial concepts.

•  Many existing apps lack intuitive interfaces and educational resources.

•  There is a strong interest in goal-oriented features for saving and investing.

 

User Journey Mapping

Mapped the user journey to identify critical touchpoints and pain areas, focusing on budgeting, goal setting, and investment tracking.

 

Ideation

•  Brainstormed potential features based on user feedback:

•  Interactive budgeting tools.

•  Goal-setting capabilities for savings.

•  Educational resources for investing.

 

Solution

To address these challenges, I implemented several key strategies:

 

User-Centric Onboarding: I redesigned the onboarding flow to be more intuitive and engaging. Interactive walkthroughs were introduced, enabling users to explore key features at their own pace, supported by tooltips and contextual help for just-in-time information.

 

Simplified Navigation: Based on user insights, I streamlined the app’s navigation with a bottom navigation bar. This allowed for quick access to essential features, reducing cognitive load and making it easier for users to find what they needed.

 

Visual Design Enhancements: I updated the visual design to create a more inviting atmosphere. This included a consistent color palette, clear typography, and visually appealing icons that aligned with the brand identity, enhancing overall usability.

 

Educational Content Integration: I developed a dedicated learning hub within the app, featuring articles, videos, and tips related to personal finance. The content was organized by topic, enabling users to easily access relevant information and improve their financial literacy.

 

User Feedback Loop: To ensure continuous improvement, I integrated a user feedback mechanism within the app. This allowed users to share their insights directly, enabling me to make data-driven design decisions.

 

Impact

The implementation of these solutions led to significant positive outcomes:

•  Increased Engagement: Active user engagement surged by 70%, surpassing the initial target.

    Users reported feeling more confident navigating the app and utilizing its features.

•  Improved Retention Rates**: Monthly retention rates increased by 45%, with more users

    returning to the app consistently.

•  Enhanced User Satisfaction: User ratings improved dramatically, achieving a 4.9-star rating on

    app stores. Positive feedback highlighted the improved onboarding experience and the value of

    educational content.

•  Community Growth: The integration of educational resources fostered a sense of community,

    with users engaging in discussions and sharing insights on financial topics.

 

Key Findings

User Feedback is Crucial: Gathering and analyzing user feedback early in the design process revealed critical pain points that informed design decisions. Understanding user needs led to more effective solutions.

 

Simplification is Key: A complex interface can overwhelm users. Streamlining navigation and simplifying onboarding processes significantly improved user engagement and satisfaction.

 

Education Enhances Engagement: Providing educational resources not only informed users but also encouraged them to engage more deeply with the app's features. Users appreciated having access to relevant financial knowledge.

 

Visual Consistency Matters: A cohesive visual design enhanced usability and created a more inviting atmosphere, making users feel more comfortable and confident while using the app.

 

Community Building Drives Retention: Fostering a sense of community through forums and shared resources increased user retention. Users valued the ability to connect with others and share experiences.

 

Lessons Learned

Iterative Design Process: Continuous iteration based on user feedback is essential. Regularly testing and refining design elements can lead to significant improvements in user experience.

 

Prioritize User Experience: Always prioritize the user's perspective in design decisions. A user-centered approach leads to solutions that resonate with real user needs.

 

Educate, Don’t Overwhelm: Balancing information delivery with usability is critical. Providing just enough guidance without overwhelming users helps maintain engagement.

 

Monitor Metrics Post-Launch: After implementing design changes, closely monitor engagement and retention metrics. This allows for timely adjustments and further optimizations based on user behavior.

 

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborating with marketing, development, and customer support teams can provide valuable insights and ensure a cohesive approach to user engagement and satisfaction.

 

By applying these findings and lessons learned, future projects can better navigate the complexities of user experience design in the fintech space, ultimately leading to more successful and user-friendly applications.

 

Through thoughtful design and a focus on user experience, I was able to successfully address the challenges of user engagement and retention for FinWise. By simplifying the onboarding process and enhancing educational resources,

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