SOLOS
An event-based meetup platform for solo-travelers, building low-commitment yet genuine connections.
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My Focus
user experience
user research
mobile prototype
Team
Huarui Lai
Da Sol Kim
Kinshuk Dudeja
Sanghmitra Wankhade
Time
Oct - Dec 2023
OVERVIEW
SOLOS is an event-based meetup platform for solo-travelers.
Travelers either post a request about their ideal destination and wait for someone to join them, or join someone else's plan. SOLOS aims to build low-commitment yet genuine connections.
As the initiator of the idea, I, along with my team, carried out market analysis, user research and testing, and developed a prototype for this digital service.
OUTCOME
Spontaneous Browsing
Upon entering SOLOS, users see a range of events posted by other solo-travelers looking for company.
The "For You" section displays events recommended based on user profile;
The "Trending Categories" section allows users to explore events by categories;
Users can also search by keywords, if they have something specific they are looking for.
Users are encouraged to be spontaneous!
Create Your Ideal Event
Alternatively, if users have something in mind and are looking for other travelers to join them, they can also post a new request.
Knowing Your New Friend
When users get interested in an event, they can check the initiator's profile.
While SOLOS is event-based, it also strives to build genuine connections by enabling detailed traveler profiles.
Users can learn about other users' travel experiences, interests, and personality. They can also message others for a conversation prior to the meet-up.
In-person Meet-up
After users get to know each other, they may decide to meet and do the event together.
SOLOS makes sure meet-ups go well. During the meet-up, SOLOS sends real-time prompts to check in with users.
Reviews
SOLOS values user feedback.
To ensure safety and trust, each user can be rated and reviewed by people who traveled with them; a cumulative SOLOS score is calculated and displayed for reference.
PROCESS
Opportunity Gap
Driven by my personal experience of solo-traveling, backed up by research on relevant social, technological, and economic factors, I discovered a product opportunity gap.
User Persona
Our service may target solo-travelers who want to get connected with other travelers during their trips. They are likely explorative, open-minded people, often with a limited budget.
User Painpoints
Competitor Analysis
Platforms such as Hinge, Tinder, and Meetup are the "next best solutions".
SOLOS both connects users with people to do things with and offers things to do through personalized recommendations.
MVP
We defined the MVP for our platform, SOLOS, thinking about key aspects of its user experience.
Our Goal:
Our Implementation:
User Research and Testing
We started with user research through directed story-telling; then we developed low-fidelity prototypes, and carried out user testing with Wizard of Oz method.
pretotyping
physical MVP
Wizard of Oz MVP testing
findings from user testing
Refinement
Our priority is to establish trust among users. It needs to be done at all stages of the user journey.
findings from user testing
Interest tags and matching percentage make sure that users find people they will vibe with.
With travel-oriented user profiles and one-on-one messaging, SOLOS app attracts users who are authentic and genuine.
Safety on SOLOS is not just an afterthought, but an integral part of each experience. SOLOS gathers feedback on users and synthesize a SOLOS score.
Value
SOLOS aims to solve user painpoints in a number of ways.
It generates revenue with a Pay Per Trip payment plan and partnerships with local businesses.
Overall, SOLOS allows multiple stakeholders to co-create value.
