Grocery Price Comparison Platform
UX-Design ProcessProject Background
The idea for a grocery price comparison platform was born from the observation that there is no user-friendly service for comprehensive price comparison on the market. Since groceries account for a significant portion of household budgets, the goal was to create a tool to help families plan their purchases economically. The research focused on determining the actual utility of such a service and identifying the necessary features for households of various sizes.
User Research and UX
To better understand the challenges related to grocery shopping, we interviewed consumers in their homes. The study included participants from various age groups, ranging from large families to smaller households.
Key Findings:
- Fragmentation: Current price information is difficult to find and scattered across different services.
- Time Constraints: Users find manual price comparison too slow and cumbersome.
- Real-time Requirements: Offers and prices must be up-to-date to enable reliable decision-making before heading to the store.
User Personas and Stories
Based on the research, we defined three key user personas (Mia, Eeva, and Tarja) to help visualize different use cases.
Example: Mia, mother of four
- Need: To find the lowest prices and view the total cost of the shopping cart in one place.
- Goal: To save time and optimize the family budget while taking loyalty bonuses into account.
- User Story: "I want to plan a large grocery trip in advance using a web browser so I can choose the store based on price and avoid filling my phone's memory with extra apps."
Solutions and Ideation
Based on the user stories, we refined five key solution models that guided the prototype design:
- Quick Search: Fast price checks for specific products.
- Budgeting: Estimating the total cost of purchases in advance.
- Comparison: Choosing a store based on price comparison.
- Special Offers: Easy tracking of current deals and discounts.
- Shopping Lists: The ability to create and save lists for various needs.
Lessons and Results
The project was an educational deep dive into user expectations and needs. The research demonstrated that, beyond technical implementation, the greatest value for the user comes from the clarity of information and accessibility across different platforms. The final result provided a strong foundation for a service that solves real-world financial challenges in everyday life.
