Internal Problem Statement: The liv.rent blog needs a complete redesign because it doesn't look good and doesn't represent the company well. The current design doesn't meet our standards for how it should look and feel.
audit of current blog To provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of liv.rent's blog, I conducted an audit to identify its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Here are the key findings:
-> Dual Navigation: The double navigation system hinders clear content hierarchy and confuses users
-> Inconsistent Padding: The lack of uniform padding disrupts visual consistency and readability
-> Hero Section: The plain hero section fails to capture user interest effectively
-> Long, Plain text: Unformatted lengthy content can lead to user disinterest and shorter time on page
-> Distracting Sidebar: A cluttered sidebar diverts focus from the main content, lowering engagement as a result of
right-rail blindness -> Inconsistent Button Styles: Varying button designs confuse users, reducing click-through rates
as this project was in the backlog and then handed over to the ux team from marketing, i was able to quickly notice that best ux practices weren't taken into account. there's a lack of a design system, visual appeal, and gestalt principles. also, the information architecture needed some love, too. i found myself lost when attempting to browse through the blog.
competitive analysis In conducting a comprehensive competitive analysis on FigJam, I meticulously examined and compared the blogging strategies of industry leaders such as Zillow, Zumper, and Redfin to glean insights, identify best practices, and uncover opportunities for liv.rent's own blog redesign.
user analysis I delved deeply into understanding the needs, preferences, and behaviors of our target audience: landlords and tenants utilizing liv.rent's rental platform. when collaborating with the marketing and Project management team, i gained valuable insights into the importance of educating our users, and gaining new users through education as well. additionally, there was no user research or persona exploration done for the blog, so i was free to start from scratch and at a high advantage since i was able to interview our current users that are frequent blog visitors.
user journey mapping In refining user personas, I've meticulously examined the journeys of Noor and Mike, distilling their unique experiences, pain points, and opportunities for improvement. Through this process, I've identified key touch points and insights that inform strategies to enhance the rental experience for both tenants and landlords. From navigating the rental search to managing properties remotely, this analysis provides valuable insights into the rental journey and informs how Liv.rent's blog can better serve their needs.
secondary quantitative research
85% of do-it-yourself landlords violate the law in one way or another
4/5 renters go online to search for apartments
44% of landlords are unsure about how rental prices are set in their area
Lack of Knowledge about Landlord-Tenant Rules: According to a survey conducted by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a significant percentage of renters in Canada are unaware of their rights and responsibilities as tenants. For example, in a survey conducted in 2020, 54% of renters and landlords admitted to not knowing basic landlord-tenant rules, such as notice periods for rent increases or eviction procedures.
Limited Understanding of Rental Market Dynamics: Many landlords in Canada may lack understanding of rental market dynamics, such as how rental prices are determined or how to negotiate with landlords. our marketing team's stats and user interviews shows that 44% of landlords are unsure about how rental prices are set in their area.
Interest in Educational Resources: Surveys have shown that 73% of renters in Canada express interest in educational resources that provide information on topics such as rental rights, finding the best rental properties, and navigating the rental market. This suggests a demand for informative and educational content that can help renters make informed decisions. especially when
4/5 renters go online to search for apartments , it's best to have an online resource for them as well.
problem statement summarizes who the user is, what they need from a design, and why. it follows this following template: [name of user] is a [type of user] who needs [type of user experience] because [benefits of user experience]. i created a problem statement for both of our personas, using their user journey maps as well as the secondary research.
Noor, a university student transitioning from dorm living to her first off-campus apartment, struggles to find trustworthy resources tailored to her rental needs. As a digital-native, she seeks an intuitive blog experience on Liv.rent that offers valuable insights, tips, and resources for finding rental accommodations. Noor desires a blog platform that addresses her concerns about affordability, safety, and proximity to her university while fostering community and support among renters.
Mike, a landlord in Mississauga renting out properties in London, faces challenges in effectively managing his rental units and attracting reliable tenants. He finds it difficult to access comprehensive and user-friendly resources tailored to his needs as a landlord. As an experienced property owner, Mike expects an intuitive platform that provides valuable insights, tools, and support for managing rental properties. He desires a platform that addresses his concerns about tenant screening, lease management, and property maintenance while fostering efficiency and trust in the rental process.
hypothesis statement helps designers move from defining problems toward ideating solutions; we can make an educated guess about what might be the best solution to the problem we've identified in the problem statements; usually an if-then statement.
if noor can easily access and navigate the liv.rent blog to find valuable resources for her rental search, then she will be more likely to secure a suitable rental accommodation near her school, leading to increased satisfaction and confidence in her housing decision.
If Mike can efficiently manage his rental properties and access reliable tenant screening tools through Liv.rent, then he will attract high-quality tenants, minimize vacancies, and maintain positive cash flow, resulting in a more profitable and sustainable rental business.
iterative sessions, we refined the designs based on collective insights, ensuring alignment with project goals and user needs.
main categories , subcategories , and tags for improved clarity and structure. By simplifying the navigation hierarchy and refining category-tag relationships, I aimed to create a more intuitive and organized content framework. This involved consolidating topics, renaming categories, and implementing clear labeling conventions to enhance user navigation and browsing experience.
tokens on the backend, all content effortlessly adheres to our established design guidelines, ensuring uniform styling across the board and eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
100% surge in keywords by utilizing header tags effectively, showcasing enhanced search engine optimization.
32.26% surge in organic traffic
optimization
