Mackenzie’s local hardware
Overview:

Mackenzie’s hardware is a very old and small business, and Andy (owner) wants to provide the personal touch and alternative to the ‘big box’ hardware experience.

My Role:

UX/UI Research + Design

Tools and Methods:
  • Research synthesis (Affinity Mapping, Card Sorting, and User Flows)
  • Competitive analysis
  • UX visual design (Sketch)
  • Usability testing (inVision)
The Problem:

Design an e-commerce website for Mackenzie Hardware’s customers so they can buy its products online. These products can then be delivered to either their homes or collected from the store.

The Solution:

In this project, we should pay attention to both business and customer goals and figure out a way to not only keep the personal touch of the neighborhood shop but also find a solution for personas needs:

  • Creating an easy-flow navigation
  • Providing quick access and reorder the previous orders
  • Making a D.I.Y. Advice section
  • Allowing people to have easy access to Customers to review or call Andy for getting advice
Prioritizing Business Goals and User Needs

Business goals and user needs were provided by the client. I approached the problem by prioritizing them to understand how I can meet both needs.

Business Goal
  • Maintain a large inventory with minimal staff
  • Rewards for locals and repeat customers
  • Emphasize their involvement in the community
User Needs
  • Quick access to a range of options
  • Knowing what’s new on repeat visits
  • Support when there are questions
  • Product reviews
  • Simple layout and clear choices
  • Comparing items option
  • Knowledge of product inventor
Process

After two weeks of research, design, and iterations, I designed the wireframes in Sketch to create an improved version of the low-fidelity website draft to get a better understanding of the direction of the layout without needing to progress into coding and development just yet.

Usability testing

The case study continues here to showcase detailed deliverables…

Results & Reflections

Bringing Mackenzie’s hardware store to the online marketplace while keeping customer touch has its own challenges. Defining the domain of the problem and the main focus of this project is crucial to a functional design. I have tried to stick to design for an MVP so that we can start testing them with real users.