Your First Mobile App For Bitcoin Postage: Empowering Users With A Seamless Mobile App For Crypto-Enabled Shipping Labels
Tools: Figma, Figjam
Role: UX/UI Designer
Platform: Mobile App
Company: Independent
Duration: 1 1/2 Months
Project Type: End-To-End
OVERVIEW
Hydra Trades, a small marketing service company, aims to develop its own Bitcoin Postage mobile app
As a company that provides holistic products, Hydra Trades purchases postage for physical mail using Bitcoin (the most accepted digital currency). They utilize multiple websites that offer Bitcoin Postage to make these transactions. Their end goal is to develop their own mobile app for internal use, with plans for a future public release
DISCOVERY -Initial Problem Statement
A disjointed shipping process has caused unnecessary complications and inefficiencies
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
1. fragmented shipping process
2. outdated user interface
3. usage of multiple Bitcoin Postage websites
4. ineffective tracking ability
DISCOVERY - Hypothesis
Design a streamlined Bitcoin Postage service mobile app
HOW TO MEET SOLUTIONS?
1. modern, intuitive design for seamless user experience
2. enhanced order tracking with detailed shipment history
3. improve information architecture for better usability
4. intuitive design for easy navigation
DESIGN PROCESS
RESEARCH - Competitive Analysis
Existing Bitcoin Postage websites lack a mobile app for quick, easy, and streamlined shipping
This competitive analysis examined Bitcoin Postage, Crypto Postage, Stampnik, and VIP Parcel, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and unique features such as anonymous tracking, cryptocurrency support, and eCommerce integration
RESEARCH - Affinity Map
First-time users of Bitcoin Postage (btcpostage.com) website experienced a learning curve to using the service and expressed displeasure in the user interface
A usability test was conducted with five participants, who provided valuable feedback and highlighted key pain points during the process
Key Findings
Outdated User Interface
Several users expressed dissatisfaction with the interface, mentioning that its visual design was not modern and polished
Need For User Support
Users expressed wanting live chat support for quick assistance. A couple suggested providing tutorials or guides for first-time users and a comprehensive help section
Crypto Learning Curve
Despite most of the users expressing how clear and intuitive and user-friendly the site is, they expressed that there was an initial learning curve but nonetheless manageable with continued use
RESEARCH - User Persona
Meet Heidi Pinkett, a software engineer and first-time user of using Bitcoin for purchasing postage
The user persona identifies Heidi’s challenges, including difficulty as a first-time user and lack of live chat support, while emphasizing her need for modern design, live chat assistance, and estimated delivery dates
RESEARCH - Revised Statement Problem
In addition to the disjointed shipping process, users were dissatisfied with the interface design and indicated that there was a learning curve to using the Bitcoin Postage website
Users tested the Bitcoin Postage website and found the interface design outdated, which adversely affected their perception of its usability. Additionally, the lack of support and guidance for new users made the initial learning curve steeper and more challenging to navigate
IDEATION - Design Decisions
A sleek, modern interface design that enhances user experience and boosts usability
Interface Design
Shipping Process
Simplify the process of creating and purchasing shipping labels, ensuring it's effortless and intuitive for users of all experience levels
Tracking
Enable users to sort shipments by date, carrier, and filter by package status or recipient name for enhanced organization and tracking
IDEATION - User Flow
Streamlining the shipping process, payment and tracking to ensure a seamless experience with minimal learning curve
The flow outlines a step-by-step process for users to create an account, input package details, select shipping options, and complete payment, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish
How does the app work?
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Seamlessly manage your shipping and logistics tasks with an intuitive interface. A first-time user will have the option to create an account or to continue with an account for quick access
CREATE + PURCHASE SHIPPING
Effortlessly create new shipping orders with comprehensive details, streamlining the entire process from start to finish. The user-friendly interface guides you through each step, ensuring accurate entry of all necessary information
TRACKING SHIPPING
Easily view and manage all your shipping orders from a single, streamlined dashboard
HIGH-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES
ON-BOARDING
Insightful Onboarding Experience
Guide users through a smooth and engaging onboarding experience with introductory screens that showcase key features, provide helpful tips, and ensure a seamless start
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
Getting Started Is Simple
Seamlessly manage your shipping and logistics tasks with an intuitive interface. A first-time user will have the option to create an account or to continue with an account for quick access
CREATE SHIPPING
It’s Easy And Intuitive
Effortlessly create new shipping orders with comprehensive details, streamlining the entire process from start to finish. The user-friendly interface guides you through each step, ensuring accurate entry of all necessary information
PURCHASING SHIPPING
Effortlessly Complete Your Transactions
This streamlined process allows you to pay for postage using your preferred cryptocurrency, with real-time conversion rates and transparent fee breakdowns
TRACK SHIPPING
Centralized Shipping Dashboard
Easily view and manage all your shipping orders from a single, streamlined dashboard
PROTOTYPE
Users found the prototype easy to navigate and understand, thanks to its clear and user-friendly design
They highlighted how the well-organized layout and logical flow of information allowed them to effortlessly find what they needed without confusion or frustration.
DESIGN SYSTEM
Style Guide
Design and development tool that brings cohesion to the BitPost app user interface and experience
REFLECTION
What Went Well:
Streamlined Workflow: Successfully created an intuitive, step-by-step flow for purchasing and generating shipping labels, integrating crypto payments seamlessly. Users appreciated the clear instructions and visual feedback at each stage
Visual Design: The clean, modern interface with clear calls-to-action and progress indicators received positive feedback during usability testing. Users found it easy to navigate, even with the added complexity of crypto payments
Challenges and Lessons Learned:
Technical Complexity: Integrating cryptocurrency payments introduced unique challenges, such as explaining blockchain concepts to users unfamiliar with crypto. We addressed this by adding tooltips and a simplified FAQ section, but it required multiple iterations to get the language just right
Testing Limitations: Due to the niche nature of crypto-enabled shipping, recruiting users for testing was difficult. In the future, I’d explore creative ways to reach target users earlier in the process, such as partnering with crypto communities or businesses
