Planmate
UX Design, UI Design, User Research
Planmate is the all-in-one tool designed to simplify group trip planning. Effortlessly coordinate with friends by organizing links, sharing details, and booking budget-friendly accommodations, all within a centralized platform. Planmate makes splitting shared expenses hassle-free through seamless integrations with Airbnb, TripAdvisor, and more, removing the awkwardness from money matters. Say goodbye to the stress of juggling logistics and hello to a smoother, more enjoyable group travel experience.
User Research
To start this project I needed more context of indididuals pain points when traveling, therefore I published a survey and conducted two interviews to gain better insights. The survey revealed that of the respondents 80.6% travel in groups and 86% prioritized cost when building a travel itinerary. The interviews revealed that group travel dynamics, planning, and financial logistics were the most frustrating pain points for these individuals.
The Problem
I want a centralized tool to easily manage group trip planning, including finding affordable accommodations, organizing links and details, and splitting shared expenses without awkwardness, so that I can enjoy traveling with groups without the stress of managing all the organizational details and dealing with complex reimbursement issues.
Understanding the User
User Testing
Two key insights emerged:
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Mental Model Misalignment: Several users expressed confusion about the product’s format, expecting it to function as a browser extension rather than a standalone application. This revealed a disconnect between the intended product architecture and user assumptions, particularly for tools tied closely to online workflows.
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Checkout Process Friction: Users found the checkout experience overly long and complex, citing repetitive inputs and unclear progress indicators. This created frustration and signaled a risk of drop-off at a critical conversion point.