Business Goals

  • Redesign a popular deal-finding app as a universal binary for iOS and Android, optimized for phones and tablets.
  • Craft an experience that accommodates diverse online shopping behaviors
  • Develop a sleek, modern visual language to convey concepts clearly
  • Boost Monthly Active Users and strengthen user base value
  • Expand and enhance company marketing efforts
 

Although this was a splash screen that animated left to right, a modified version also used for trade-show booth backdrops.

Progression from first release of the redesigned experience and rigid 'dashboard' structure of content to a less user-centric experience with variable content. Between the first version (left) to the last (right) user base has grown 60x in loyal user base (returning consistent users).

When iOS7 launched, it forced apps to evolve or look outdated. This deal-finding app, originally designed for large-screen product discovery, had to transform into a seamless cross-platform experience for its 10 Million monthly search strong audience. Supporting iOS5 onward and every Android device posed a challenge, but the goal was clear: consistency without compromise.

Early beta testers—loyal fashion trendsetters—gave insight into user behavior. But onboarding was a hurdle: requiring users to manually select preferred stores caused a 46% drop-off. To fix this we pre-populated feeds, letting users personalize naturally over time.
We also discovered users didn’t just want to search—they wanted to browse. A dashboard overhaul introduced a continuous scrolling feed, doubling traffic in two months, tripling it in three. Meanwhile, mobile overtook desktop for the first time on Thanksgiving 2014, with retailers seeing two-thirds of revenue from mobile.
The Android build lagged 3-4 months behind iOS, but Apple gave us a boost— featuring the app 17 times and driving over 2 million installs.
It consistently ranked top 10 in Shopping.

Data guided every iteration. Interstitial tutorials caused a 50% drop-off. Simplifying to toggle-based navigation resolved any user confusion. Over time, mobile became main venue for shopping

Eventually, Facebook acquired the company, absorbing its algorithms into ad targeting. While the brand remains dormant, the takeaway is clear: users don’t want to think, they want to shop. Guide them seamlessly, and they will.
 

Takeaways

  • Build for shopping habits. Pick up where the web left off. Study shopping.
  • Reduce complexity. Make navigation as plain as possible. Avoid repeating elements.
  • Multiply chances to engage. Let back-end learn about the user. Cater meaningful content. Timing is key.
  • Build user centric. Build simple-purpose tools. Intuitive tools don't need manuals.
  • Reward users. Invent and implement moments of delight for positive reinforcement.