Designing New Features for Dating Apps
Estimated 7 min read
Empathy-Driven Design for Better User Experiences
Overview
In this UX research project, I designed three new features for dating apps: Create Reviews & Rating, Pet Playdate Planner, and In-App Support & Counseling.
The goal was to address user frustrations and enhance the user experience through user-friendly, intuitive features. I conducted user research to understand pain points, designed task flows, and created prototypes that improve key interactions, like post-date feedback, pet-oriented planning, and in-app support. The result was a more engaging and accessible dating app experience.
Role
I was the sole designer, responsible for researching, ideating, and designing new features.
Context
This school project focused on enhancing user engagement by designing features like reviews, pet playdates, and in-app support.
Impact
The new features improved user satisfaction, engagement, and provided valuable resources, making the dating experience more holistic and accessible.
What do users need
Users expressed the need for more meaningful interactions within dating apps, particularly in areas that go beyond just matching. Key needs identified included:
Post-Date Feedback: Users wanted a simple, intuitive way to provide feedback on their dates to enhance the experience.
Pet-Oriented Features: Pet lovers wanted a way to connect over shared interests, particularly related to pets, but found existing features lacking.
In-App Support: Many users struggled with feelings of isolation or anxiety and desired in-app counseling or support services.
How I generated insights to inform design decisions:
I conducted in-depth user interviews with active dating app users to understand their frustrations and expectations. I also analyzed competitor apps to pinpoint feature gaps and opportunities.
Through usability testing of existing features, I identified specific pain points such as difficulty leaving reviews and lack of clear support options. These insights guided the design of the Create Reviews & Rating, Pet Playdate Planner, and In-App Support & Counseling features, ensuring they were intuitive and addressed real user needs.
The Step-by-Step Process
1
Empathy Research: I conducted interviews with dating app users to gather insights on their needs and frustrations. This informed the design of the new features.
2
Competitive Analysis: Analyzed various dating apps to identify gaps in existing features and opportunities for improvement.
3
Task Flows and Wireframing: Designed user flows for the three new features (Review & Rating, Pet Playdate Planner, In-App Support) and created wireframes that mapped out interactions for a smooth user experience.
4
Prototyping and Testing: Developed prototypes and tested them with users to ensure the features were intuitive and met their needs. Feedback was incorporated into design revisions.
User Personas
Competitive Analysis:
Understanding the Landscape with Hinge
As part of my UX research for redesigning features in dating apps, I conducted a competitive analysis to better understand industry trends and identify opportunities for improvement. I specifically chose to analyze Hinge, a dating app known for its user-centric design and focus on fostering meaningful connections.
Feature Matrix
User Profiles:
The main focus of Hinge's homepage is user profiles. You will see profile pictures of potential matches with some basic information, such as their name, age, location, and a brief description.
"Likes" and "Matches":
Typically, you'll find tabs or sections for "Likes" and "Matches." "Likes" show you profiles of people who have expressed interest in your profile, and "Matches" display profiles of individuals with whom you've matched.
Visibility of System Status:
Hinge does a good job of providing feedback to users when actions are taken, such as liking or commenting on a profile.
Match Between System and the Real World:
Hinge uses natural language prompts and encourages users to provide detailed information on their profiles, making it relatable.
User Control and Freedom:
Users can easily accept or decline likes , providing a sense of control. The app provides options to edit or delete profile information.
Consistency and Standards:
Hinge follows standard interaction patterns commonly found in dating apps, making it familiar to users.
There could be more consistency in the placement of options and buttons across the app.
Error Prevention:
Hinge offers a preview feature before profile changes are saved, reducing the likelihood of unintended errors.
It could enhance error messages for actions like failed uploads or sending messages.
Recognition Rather than Recall:
The app prompts users with conversation starters to facilitate communication, reducing the need for users to recall what to say. It could improve information recall by highlighting the last message in a conversation.
Help Users Recognize, Diagnose, and Recover from Errors:
Hinge provides error messages and recovery options, but they can be improved for clarity. It offers links to customer support and safety resources.
Help and Documentation:
The app includes FAQs and customer support contact information for users seeking assistance.
Challenges and
How I Overcame Them
A significant challenge was ensuring that the new features seamlessly integrated with the existing app structure without overwhelming the users.
For example, the Pet Playdate Planner feature was difficult to introduce without confusing users who weren’t pet owners. I overcame this by creating clear instructions and optional pet-related activities for users who preferred not to engage with that feature. Additionally, feedback about the review system’s rating scale led to a switch from a sliding scale to a simpler five-star rating system for better usability.
Task Flows
User Review & Rating System
User needs to create reviews and rate another user after they meet.
Pet Playdate Planner
User needs to create a pet playdate plan.
In- App Support & Counseling
User needs to book a support service via app.
Prototyping
User Review & Rating System
User needs to create reviews and rate another user after they meet.
Pet Playdate Planner
User needs to create a pet playdate plan.
In- App Support & Counseling
User needs to book a support service via app.
The Outcomes and Impact of My Work
The new features made the app more user-friendly and engaging. The Review & Rating system allowed users to give feedback after a date, creating a sense of closure. The Pet Playdate Planner helped users connect over common interests, especially pet lovers, and the In-App Support & Counseling feature provided much-needed mental health resources. These features led to increased user satisfaction, engagement, and provided more holistic support for users.
Learnings and Reflections
I learned the importance of iterating quickly and testing new ideas with real users. Feedback is invaluable in ensuring that designs truly meet user needs. I also realized the significance of clear instructions and simplicity when introducing new features, particularly in an app where users expect quick, intuitive interactions.
The next step would be to gather further user feedback through A/B testing of the features to refine their functionality.
Additionally, I would look at integrating more personalized options, like tailored pet-related activities and mental health resources based on user preferences. Expanding the in-app support options and making the review process more interactive could further improve the experience.