Company /
Lendhaus
Year /
2020
Type /
Web Platform
Case Study
Credits /
Jieun Mok (UX Designer)
Melissa Yang (UX Designer)
Uma Wickramaratne (UX Designer)
commercial lending comparison
platform
Lendhaus is using advanced technology and data management to bring borrowers, lenders, and service providers from around the globe to the same digital table, so they can easily choose, negotiate and manage.
MY ROLE
As a designer for the Lendhaus team, my responsibilities ranged from being the lead communicator with the client, recruited and scheduled participants, and workshops. We collaborated on the quantitative and qualitative data research, conducted tests, compiled new insights, and iterated new concepts for the second round of user tests.
​
BACKGROUND
Project -
A person who is seeking finance for a commercial property feels frustrated about getting a better loan with lower costs and needs to find the right lender to negotiate better loan conditions but faces challenges with different lenders, along with a lack of transparency about the overall process.
THE CHALLENGE
There were no real users or metrics to work from. The general feedback from the stakeholders was the process; Commercial Lending was "too confusing and time-consuming". The aim was to simplify the core experience. A simple visual way to review, compare and rank loan proposals from multiple lenders. To also enable Communications on the Platform including chat, video, audio – Available at all stages and phases.
The previous designs:
The key stakeholder asked our team to make "significant improvements" and redesign/ test the beta product. Up to this point, product decisions were based on what "features" advisors had suggested, with minimal consideration given to the experience of an end-user.
It was clear we needed to shift focus to the user if we wanted to achieve strong results. We started with discovering the needs and wants of a user.
DISCOVER
Real People
We wanted to validate our own thoughts along with our desktop research, therefore we did two days of user interviews with our target clients. Mostly everyone spoke about the process of Commercial Lending, within its technical, hindering, and unserviceable realms.
A few Advisors remarked that they could see a huge potential for Lendhaus was trying to accomplish, not just in Australia but worldwide.
Our biggest takeaways were that we had to simplify the process and focus on the key features of what lenders and borrowers need to make navigating more intuitive.
​
INSIGHTS
2 out of 3 users compared different banks with best rates and fees
2 out of 3 user suggeseted to negotiate and price match with the banks for better deal.
3 out of 3 users valued a strong relationship between clients and service providers.
2 out of 3 users suggeseted to compare different markets and prices in banks
2 out of 3 users expressed their interest to see more engagement
and a seamless journey for the borrower on the platform.
3 out of 3 users wanted to see the different terms and conditions individual banks had.
​
Based on our user research, two personas were adapted. Each persona had a scenario that identified realistic traits, the user might have been working with.
Even though we were given a brief with deliverables, we found we needed to define a problem. Therefore we validated our research and defined our problem statement As you can see we emphasize with the borrower's perspective and the journey they undertake to compare loans.
DEFINE
How Might We
How might we reduce the waiting period for Tim, until he receives a response from the lender?
How might we guide Tim, through an end-to-end process without friction?
DEVELOP
Concepts
Okay, How did we get there? We conducted a Facilitation workshop with our stakeholders to understand the priority and thought process behind their solutions. Following on, we drilled into each attribute with specific ways it could manifest in the user experience. This really clicked with the team and helped everyone understand what the strategy meant and what we needed to do next.
​
PROGRESS BAR
help chat section
videos
arranging workshops
push notifications
DEVELOP
User Flows
.png)
To understand how each solution would look, we developed an MVP Map, which allowed us to focus on the most effective and efficient methods. The User Flows above were a clear and effective way to navigate through the user experience. We started to clearly see how the experience was unfolding. It did take time to understand the clearest way forward, although we wanted to start wireframing and use user testing to influence our thoughts. Metrics was our answer.
DEVELOP
UX | UI Elements
To assist the process, we looked at precedent UI elements and frameworks. The Design exploration helped us navigate through the visual elements. As a team, we selected elements that fit our design principles to further test with wireframing.
The PROBLEM(S):
Fragmented experience with a paradox of choice
information overload, causing confusion
lack of support and transparency
The SOLUTION(s):
A simplistic and intuitive way to request a quote.
Comparison for Lenders with key metrics, inclusive of fee calculator
Internal Chat system not only for in house support but lenders and service providers
We created a set of design principles to unite our design team as we moved into execution mode. These principles were extremely helpful for aligning with stakeholders and justifying the reasoning behind design decisions.
DEVELOP
Wireframes
"wasn't straightforward as a first time user"
"not sure where to start off, lots going on"
"I think I need help. can I have an assistant?"
"need more guidance to understand which step I'm at."
"want to be contacted by them every week for checking progress"
"not a clear process, want to see each status from the card list"
As you can see, our first round of Low Fidelity testing was more cautious about loans. They felt they needed more education & more information about the service. As well as a consistent guide if it is complicated and time bound. Users also wanted to see a intuitaivevisual experience, as well as labelling of headings, sub headings etc..
DEVELOP
Prototypes
Keeping the user's needs and pain points in mind, we came up with a medium fidelity version, and created a prototype to do another round of testing. This prototype addressed our users comments from our wireframe.
DEVELOP
Usability Testing
I recruited 5 people to test the prototype. The participants were aged 45 years +
​
The objective of the test was :
-
How easily users were able to request a quote for their property
-
How easily users are able to find the best lender for their property
-
How easily users are able to find an external service provider and quote associated with their fees
-
How does the overall experience feel like
-
What improvements need to be made
INSIGHTS
-
"can't find start button"
-
"that's too small writing"
-
"I wear glasses, I think the colours are too light"
​
-
"Giving information to my competitors, my business would be damaged."
-
"I want to see them personally for confidential agreement."
-
"Need a signed document rather getting confirmation on the online system"
​
-
"I can't imagine people using this as self-service"
-
"I don't think this is a realistic process"
-
"Borrower doesn't instruct lawyers, bank will use their panels"
accessibility for
non-digital
generation / seniors
how to streamline on/offline activity
in one space
how to build trust
in online platform
DELIVER
UI Kit
LOGO
TYPOGRAPHY
COLOUR PALETTE
#F95B3C
#DEE3E6
#394160
#FEF0EE
BUTTONS
DELIVER
Final Design
Chat Room
Users can now be guided through various Lenders and in-house support, to assist them with the best advice. The in-house chat room is on-demand, allows convenience for users.
Lender Proposals
Users can receive Lender Proposals in a simplistic view, with Lendhaus recommending what Proposal is best suited. Showcasing key metrics, inclusive of fee calculator while not over-complicating the user experience.
​
Debt Tender Quote
A simplistic and intuitive way to request a quote.
DELIVER
Next Steps
A strategy, a list of tactics, and knowing how to execute them are integral in the attainment of your company goals.
1. Test Real People.
Test the long-term features with users, to understand their usage on a daily basis, but most importantly within time restraints.
​
2. Refinement
Further, refine the app in regards to the social side- to ensure that it is in line with the goals of the brand and business. Also to further refine the app to ensure a prototype fit for user.
​
​
Live Cash Flow Integration
Key decision point for Lenders perspective
​
Borrowers Dashboard
Widgets indicate a positive outcome
​
Further research into creating trust and the following security
eg. document upload, chatroom
​
Follow through guide
eg. Library of selected templates
​
Onboarding
Set the expectations for users, clear and not misleading
​
Forecasting
Users were curious to what this platform would look like
DELIVER
Conclusion
Our redesigned comparison and request to quote page had 3 out of 3 users stating 'a more intuitive and systematic workflow'. We also received fewer comments about how the platform works, which shows the new design is easier to understand.
This was an extremely challenging project, due to its industry. Within a period of 2 weeks, our challenge was to simplify the jargon within a traditional industry and introduce a simplistic way for future growth. While I was challenged throughout the project, due to a lack of understanding of the industry, the end was successful and very rewarding.
This project validated the value of user experience design around comparison platforms, and I look forward to applying the same approach to other projects.