Challenge

Doorvest is a real estate consulting company that leverages home ownership as an investment product. The process involves many hands to ensure a seamless experience—from acquiring and renovating homes to leasing, marketing in targeted locations, and managing properties even after a sale.

Initially, we matched homes to user preferences through a sign-up survey which then sent out homes via email with a time limit on when to acquire. To improve accuracy, we introduced a ranking system that prioritized homes on users’ dashboards based on their preferences. Homes were assigned by user cohort to maintain exclusivity. However, user research revealed dissatisfaction with delays in home matches and missed notifications, causing homes to be reserved by others before users could explore options. In response, we streamlined and enhanced the home-matching experience, which we branded as 'Doormatch.

Results

Our data analytics review revealed a significant increase in user engagement, with a 40% spike in home reservations and a 13.8% increase in signed letters of intent. This resulted in a significant financial gain for the company, with over 100s of thousands being generated. While these metrics are certainly impressive, I believe that with additional time and resources, we could have further enhanced the algorithm to suggest homes to users, even if they fall outside of their preferences. This would have allowed us to provide valuable insights on how these homes could assist them in their financial journey, ultimately leading to an even more personalized and efficient user experience.

13%

Increased Conversion Rate

40%

Increase in home reservations

62%

Increase in user retention

Process

Research & Analysis: We conducted user interviews, surveys, and analyzed in-app analytics to understand the pain points and user needs. We also studied competitor apps and industry trends to gather insights

Information Architecture: Based on the research findings, we restructured the app's navigation and content, prioritizing features and information according to user needs.

Wireframing & Prototyping: We designed low-fidelity wireframes to visualize the new layout and navigation, iteratively refining them based on user feedback. Afterward, we built a high-fidelity, interactive prototype to test the design.

Usability Testing: We conducted usability tests with a diverse group of users to validate the design and identify areas for improvement. Based on the feedback, we made necessary adjustments to the design.

Visual Design & Style Guide: We developed a cohesive visual language, including color schemes, typography, and iconography, ensuring consistency throughout the app. We also created a style guide to maintain design consistency in future updates.

Stack

“ With our new visual branding and language in place, the new Shopify brand clearly captures the essence of our current and target customer base, our employees, and our values. ”

Tobias Lütke

CEO, Co-founder | Shopify

Conclusion

Optimizing the corporate intranet significantly improved usability and employee engagement. By creating a more intuitive and interactive platform, we enhanced internal communication and collaboration, leading to a more connected and productive workforce. This project highlights the importance of user-centered design in improving organizational tools and employee satisfaction.

From Email to Marketplace

The objective was to address a recurring pain point identified by users. The primary focus was to deliver an innovative solution for how users receive daily notifications regarding new home availability for purchase, enhancing their engagement and overall experience.