Research & Innovation: What Venmo Excels At

My focus for this project was to pinpoint the most important features that are the focal point of it’s design and functionality. Conducting extensive research on the application, I sought to identify opportunities for innovation and enhancement. This prompted a deeper exploration of its functionality and user experience.

My Application Analysis Process

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Study Userbase

Assess Main Features

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Additional Features

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Takeaways

Tools

iPhone

My Role

UX design
UX research

Timeline

Overall: 1 week

Users

The 3 primary users of this app can be summed up in the following:

Friends & Family : Individuals that want to make a payment or request a payment.

Employer: Individuals seeking to pay their employees without setting up banking transfers.

Merchants: Individuals running a small business who want quick and easy payments from clients at any time, from anywhere in the world.

Here are personas of 2 of those users:

Creating personas helped me zero in on key values of the users and understand their needs.

I used this information to then determine which features are key to users and what could be added to increase user satisfaction.

Assessment of Current Features

Add Contacts

One feature that is very effective is giving users the ability to add contacts to their network. This allows users to easily select repeat transactions. No more spending time searching for the username of the person you are trying to request or send money to.

Request a payment

Another feature that is very effective is giving users the ability to request a payment. If a friend, or employer needs to pay you, you have the ability to request the amount. This helps take the awkward communication out of the task. No more trying to figure out a way to bring up the fact that your friend or family member owes you money and asking them when they’re going to pay you.

Receipts & record of transactions

Receipts on the app provide the icing on the cake. If someone pays you or requests an amount to be paid, you will have a record of that transaction. No more confusion about whether or not you paid your friends. You will know and they will know. This helps create transparency with users in turn, encouraging them to use the application more often to eliminate the awkward conversations nobody wants to have about payments and finances.

Additional Features

After analyzing the userbase and key features, I came to the conclusion that there are no additional features that would add to the user's satisfaction. In fact, Venmo exemplifies the power of simplicity and a clear focus on essential functionality and because of that, provides an outstanding user experience. By prioritizing core features and avoiding unnecessary complexities, Venmo ensures users can accomplish their primary objectives without distractions.

The application's dedicated focus on addressing the fundamental need for fast and efficient money transfers distinguishes it, offering users a straightforward and effective solution. In a crowded landscape of apps with numerous features, Venmo's clarity of purpose and commitment to solving the main issue showcase the essence of user-centric design. As a UX researcher, I recognize the value of maintaining this streamlined approach and refraining from adding additional features. These core features are integral to Venmo's user experience and should remain the focal point of its design and functionality.

My Takeaways

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The importance of maintaining a streamlined approach in design, focusing on core features rather than adding unnecessary complexities.

The value of user-centric design, emphasizing the essential functionalities that address users' primary needs.

The significance of clarity of purpose and commitment to solving the main issue in creating an outstanding user experience.