Homeward Hound
Website
A website created to connect homeowners and house/pet sitters.
Individuals want an affordable means to travel the world, while others desire the reassurance that their homes and pets will be secure and well-cared for by a trustworthy person. These two groups can help each other.
ROLE
UI/UX Designer
Research
TIME SPAN
May 2023 –
June 2023
SKILLS
Adobe XD, Adobe Creative Suite, Research, Wireframing, User Interview, Prototyping
The Mission
The primary goal of Homeward Hound is to create a user-friendly platform that facilitates trustworthy and reliable connections between homeowners and house and pet sitters. The website will provide a seamless user experience, enabling users to easily find suitable matches, communicate effectively, and establish mutually beneficial arrangements.
User Research
House/PEt Owners
Interviews were conducted and empathy maps were created to understand the needs of the house/pet owners in search of a sitter.
What do owners need?
Sitters they trust and thorough screening process
Large pool of candidates
Effective communication
House/Pet Sitters
To gain further insight into the needs of those wanting to travel and house/pet sit, interviews were conducted and empathy maps were created.
What do sitters need?
Affordable travel options
Flexible scheduling
Clear instructions
Pain points
From the interviews and questionnaires that were submitted, the major themes from each user category were identified. I narrowed those down to the following pain points and insights:
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Establishing trust and ensuring the safety of both homeowners and house/pet sitters. Users need to feel confident that they are engaging with reliable individuals who will take care of their homes and pets responsibly.
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There needs to be a better way for users to update and view both homeowners and house/pet sitters calendars to easily view each other's availability and plan accordingly.
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Lack of robust search functionality that allows homeowners and house/pet sitters to search for suitable matches based on location, dates, and preferences. Include advanced filters to narrow down the results.
Personas
Lo-Fi Prototype
User Flow for home/pet owner
Go to “Find a Sitter” page
Create a profile and sign in
Input dates and service needs
Browse profiles of potential sitters
Contact a sitter
Message confirmation
User Flow for home/pet Sitter
Go to “Become a Sitter” page
Create a profile and sign in
Input dates and requests
Explore available sitter opportunities
Contact owner
Message confirmation
Usability study: findings
Hi-Fi Prototype
User Flow for home/pet owner
Go to “Find a Sitter” page
Create a profile and sign in
Input dates and service needs
Browse profiles of potential sitters
Contact a sitter and request a meeting
Message confirmation
User Flow for home/pet Sitter
Go to “Become a Sitter” page
Create a profile and sign in
Input dates and requests
Explore available sitter opportunities
Contact owner and request a meeting
Message confirmation
Reflection
Developing Homeward Hound was a challenge on a few levels. First, it was important to find solutions for affordable travel while also ensuring the user has peace of mind and confidence in the process. Second, issues can arise that can derail the user’s journey and diminish confidence, so proactively addressing those problems was essential. This website has the potential to be a win-win solution for all users, from the home/pet owner wanting to leave their fur babies in good hands, to those willing to care for homes and pets in exchange for lodging.