Improving User Engagement and Retention for a Cooking App
Savr is a recipe app that helps home chefs discover and prepare a wide variety of dishes. Designed for users of all skill levels, the app provides a platform to explore new recipes and improve their cooking experience.
Client:
Savr
Role:
Product Designer
Year:
2024
Fixing user engagement
The client is facing decreasing user retention and engagement as users often struggle to follow instructions for unfamiliar recipes. Savr's current recipe instructions lack clear guidance and visual aids, making it difficult for users to navigate the cooking process with confidence. This has led to declining satisfaction, fewer repeat visits, and an increased risk of users switching to competitors offering more intuitive and user-friendly recipe solutions
Solution
To address the challenge, I followed a structured design process:
Research and Inspiration:
I analyzed existing recipe and cooking apps to gather inspiration for potential solutions.Ideation (Crazy 8s):
Using the Crazy 8s technique, I quickly generated a wide variety of potential solutions to the challenge and sketched screens to visualize these ideas.Solution Design:
I focused on creating a solution that breaks down recipe steps one at a time. Initially, I designed a checklist feature for users to confirm each completed step, but I refined the solution to present one action at a time to avoid overwhelming the user.Prototype Development:
The prototype was designed with the goal of providing step-by-step guidance, ensuring users could easily follow recipe instructions.Usability Testing and Interviews:
I conducted usability tests and interviews with five users who interacted with the prototype. Each participant offered unique perspectives and valuable insights that helped assess and improve the usability of Savr.
This iterative process enabled me to refine the solution and ensure it aligned with user needs.
Solution Screens
Key takeaways
"As a result of the usability tests, participants consistently praised the prototype for its clear instructions, step-by-step guidance, and progress bar, which provided a sense of accomplishment and reassurance throughout the cooking process. One participant noted, 'The progress bar made me feel confident that I was on the right track, and the clear instructions took all the guesswork out of cooking.'"
These design improvements have resulted in higher user satisfaction and increased engagement. More users are returning to the platform for its enjoyable cooking experience.