The Problem

Pet parents are struggling to find trustworthy and nearby pet shops and clinics

Pets are a part of almost every household. As a devoted dog dad, I've always been concerned about my dog's well-being. Over the years, I've noticed how difficult it can be to find the nearest pet shops. Even when I do find one, the lack of information, such as customer feedback and pricing, is worrisome. Arranging a basic grooming service for my dog takes up a significant amount of time, with no guarantee of finding a trustworthy pet shop. This sparked the question — why don't we have a mobile app that makes people's lives easier and pets' lives better?

The Solution

Safely find the nearest pet shops and clinics

• Map Integration: Implement a map interface that shows pet shops and clinics within a specified radius. Users can zoom in and out to explore options.

• Filters and Categories: Allow users to filter results based on services offered (e.g., grooming, veterinary care, pet supplies) or by ratings to find the best options for their needs.

• Distance and Estimated Time: Provide distance metrics and estimated travel times for each location, enabling users to make informed decisions based on their immediate needs and urgency.

Connect with pet shops: view catalogs, read reviews, and see the services they offer

• Shop Profiles: Create comprehensive profiles for each pet shop and clinic that include photos, descriptions, contact information, hours of operation, and a list of services provided.

• Customer Reviews and Ratings: Implement a review system where users can leave feedback on their experiences. This would help potential customers gauge the quality of service and build trust in the businesses

• Service Catalogs: Allow shops to upload service catalogs with pricing, special offers, and seasonal discounts, ensuring pet owners are aware of available options and promotions.

Engage with others: a platform to discuss and share experiences

• Community Forums: Integrate discussion boards or forums where users can post questions and share experiences about different pet shops and clinics. Users can tag posts by location or service type for easy navigation.

• User-generated Content: Encourage users to share tips, photos, and stories about their pets, fostering a supportive environment where pet owners can learn from each other.

• Expert Q&A Sessions: Organize Q&A sessions with veterinarians or pet care experts within the app to provide credible information and advice, reinforcing the app's value as a reliable resource for pet owners.

The Digital Solution for Those Seeking the Best Care for Their Pets

In analyzing the competition, I realized that with an impressive growth of 316% in the pet shop sector in Brazil, my digital solution becomes essential for connecting pet parents to reliable and quality services. Many existing platforms do not fully meet the demand for accessible and trustworthy information, which presents a significant opportunity for Woof. As the market rapidly expands, ensuring the well-being and health of pets becomes a priority for their owners. The increase in the number of physical stores reflects this growing need, and Woof is here to facilitate that connection, providing a comprehensive experience for those seeking the best care for their pets.

”The pet hygiene and grooming sector grew by 316% in the last six years. [...] Digital platforms aimed at this segment, such as pet bathing scheduling, saw the most significant increase during this period.”

CNN Brasil

White Paper Research

The Lack of Transparency and Limitations in Finding Services

After analyzing three of the most popular pet apps, I found that they lack transparent information and essential features, leading to frustrating user experiences. These apps do not provide updated reviews or real feedback, making it difficult for pet parents to choose quality services. Additionally, complicated navigation hinders quick access to needed services, and none of them offer pricing comparison, highlighting the need for a more efficient and accessible solution.

Competitive Analysis + The Gap

My interviewees were unsatisfied with the difficulty of trying to find trustworthy pet-related services

I launched a survey to better define my research focus on people’s behaviors and preferences on their pets. To gather insights, I spoke with 15 people from Brazil and the United States who regularly use pet services. Through our discussions, I aimed to uncover the reasons behind their difficulties in finding reliable pet care options

User Interviews

Research Questions

1. What is your process for trying to find a pet shop near you?

2. What is the most difficult part about it?

3. Are you satisfied with the pet services you are currently getting?

4. What features or functions would your ideal pet app have?

Insights from people I interviewed

None of my interviewees had practicality while searching for pet care services

Based on the trends in my affinity map, I've noticed how if there is no pain or real consequences associated with NOT achieving their goal as was the case in previous apps they've use, motivation to continue cease to exist.

The Main Insight

Finding good services

Concerns over service reliability and safety

Limited options for 24/7 emergency services and inconsistent service availability in different locations

Inconvenient booking processes and time-consuming search for nearby pet services

Complicated and unintuitive app interfaces

Hidden fees and unclear pricing structures

Generic user experiences without considering pet owner preferences and difficulty in receiving tailored recommendations

Importance of feedback from other pet owners and influence of community ratings on decision-making

Need for a platform to connect with other pet owners and interest in sharing experiences and advice

Interest in educational content (e.g., pet health, training) and demand for access to veterinary advice, tips and quick access to emergency contacts

UX in Pet Care Apps

Community and Support

Personas

Creating detailed personas is essential for understanding users' needs, motivations, and pain points. By diving deep into their behaviors and preferences, it's possible to design a more tailored, user-centric experience that truly resonates with my target audience.

Ana is a designer from São Paulo who wants to find the best pet-friendly parks for her dog.

Based in San Francisco, Gabriel is committed to making sure his cats receive proper care.

Sketches

This is the initial ideation process, where rough visual concepts were explored to lay the foundation for the app's design. These sketches served as a brainstorming tool to map user flows, structure key screens, and experiment with layouts. This phase allowed the validation of ideas before moving into higher-fidelity designs, ensuring that user needs and functionality remained at the forefront of development.

UI Design + Final Version

I created a fully-functional, high-fidelity prototype of the new flows using Figma. The final design incorporates intuitive navigation, a cohesive color palette, and playful yet professional elements that resonate with pet parents. This stage represents the culmination of UXR, feedback, and iterative design, resulting in an app that effectively connects users to trusted pet services while embodying the Woof brand's values.

onboard

home

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The login process of Woof is designed to be friendly, allowing pet parents to sign in quickly via email, phone number, or social media accounts. New users are guided through an engaging onboarding experience, so users can set preferences for their pets to receive personalized recommendations.

What I’ll Focus on Next Time

Having completed my first UX project, I feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to experience the full UX process. While the final output is important, the insights I gained about what this process entails are invaluable. Here are a few key lessons I’ve learned from this experience:

Conclusion + Lessons Learned

Focusing on Simplicity for Enhanced UX

I initially tried to include too many features, leading to a cluttered and confusing interface. This taught me that simplicity is key to an effective user experience. Prioritizing essential features and ensuring intuitive navigation not only enhances usability but also allows users to find what they need quickly and efficiently.

You didn't fail - you just found 100 ways that didn't work

Some design ideas were too ambitious without considering technical limitations. This taught me to balance creativity with practicality, ensuring that designs are achievable within constraints.

At first, I hesitated to implement major changes. This experience demonstrated the value of being receptive to change and adapting when necessary. By embracing a flexible approach, I can adjust and enhance the app according to user preferences, resulting in a more effective and user-friendly product.

Being Open to Change and Adaptation

Iteration Leads to Improvement

I learned that the first version of an app is rarely perfect. I explored many different options to find the right solution. But embracing an iterative approach allows for continuous refinement, and this mindset fosters a culture of improvement and adaptability, ensuring the app evolves to better serve its users.

Drop Me a Message :)

Let's share ideas & discuss ways to collaborate! Thank your for reading! 🧠

Phone

Email

me@yuricamargo.com