About the project
The goal was to enhance the user experience by improving the search functionality on Truck1. The objective was to make the search feature more intuitive, increase user engagement, and ultimately improve the performance of key metrics like search usage and click-through rates.
Define the problem
The original search interface used "Vehicle Search" as a text button, which was not intuitive for users and resulted in low engagement. Additionally, the search results lacked clear segmenting, making it harder for users to find relevant results efficiently.
Set the hypothesis
By simplifying the search interface and introducing more intuitive features, we expected to see increased search engagement and higher click-through rates.
Research & discovery
I conducted comprehensive research and Competitor analysis to understand how they structure their search functionalities. The analysis revealed several key trends. Many competitors used open search fields instead of text buttons, making the search process more intuitive and easier to use. Additionally, competitors provide a "Catalog" button to simplify navigation, helping users quickly navigate product categories and find what they're looking for more efficiently.
Moreover, I identified opportunities to improve user engagement by displaying "Popular" categories during the initial search. I also found that integrating "Top Popular Offers" by default could further enhance engagement by presenting users with the most relevant and often-viewed listings.
I introduced a "Latest Search" block for secondary searches, which included a "Clear All" button and the ability to delete individual items from the search history, allowing users to manage their previous searches more efficiently.
Further analysis revealed the effectiveness of integrating a block called "Offers", which displayed real ads with photos and prices, giving users more relevant and actionable results. I also identified the potential value of adding a "Sellers" section with logos to boost brand recognition and trust, along with a "Search by Photo" button for a visual search option.
Finally, I found that the introduction of a "See all results" button would encourage users to explore more deeply.
Brainstorm and analyze ideas
During the brainstorming phase, we explored various ideas to enhance the search experience. We focused on making the interface more intuitive and user-friendly. Key ideas included:
Replacing the text-based search button with an open search field to improve visibility and accessibility.
Introducing segmented search results, including sections like "Latest Search", "Popular", "Offers", "Sellers" and "Categories" to help users navigate results more efficiently.
Implementing a "Clear All" button and the ability to delete individual items from the "Latest Search" block, giving users more control over their search history.
Adding a "Popular" block to highlight trending categories, making it easier for users to explore relevant product sections.
Incorporating an "Offers" block, displaying real ads with photos and prices, to provide users with more actionable results.
Introducing a "Sellers" block with logos to improve brand recognition and trust, helping users identify trusted sellers quickly.
Creating a "See All Results" button to allow users to explore the full range of search results without missing any options.
Design the solution
We implemented the following features:
Open search field
Segmented search results: "Latest Search," "Popular," "Offers," "Sellers," and "Categories"
"Clear All" button and delete individual items from "Latest Search"
"Popular" block
"Offers" block
"Sellers" block
"See All Results" button
Result
The incremental design changes to Truck1's search functionality significantly improved user interaction and engagement:
Search engagement increased by 2.2 times.
Click-through rates improved across key categories, with 3.7% clicks on "Latest Search", 10.7% on "Offers", and category engagement increased by about 9% for updated "Categories".
