Member Connect - A platform for Tide users to network
To design a platform where SMEs can list their services, connect with potential clients, and establish a strong B2B network.
Understanding the problem
We identified a gap in the market. While there are plenty of platforms for professionals (e.g. LinkedIn), there isn’t a dedicated platform where small businesses can showcase their services and connect with other business owners. SMEs and MSMEs often struggle with visibility, attracting new clients, and growing their businesses.
The challenge
The challenge was to design a user-friendly platform that catered to small businesses to showcase their services and connect with other businesses, providing them with the tools they needed to thrive in a competitive B2B environment.
Research & Discovery
Target Audience
Sole traders and small registered company entrepreneurs
Key insights from research
Easy to use
The platform needed to be simple and intuitive to use.
Useful features
It should provide features that directly address the needs of small businesses, such as lead generation and service listing.
Credibility
Trust-building features were essential to helping businesses establish credibility in the marketplace.
User Flows
For brainstorming, we used Whimsical, as we were all working remotely. Every week we had team meetings to check the progress and decide the future course of the project.
Onboarding Flow
Designed a simple onboarding process, allowing users to quickly set up profiles with essential business information.
Service Listing Flow
Created a streamlined process for businesses to list their services, categorize them, and add detailed descriptions, images, and pricing.
Connection Flow
Developed a feature where users can connect with other businesses based on industry, needs, or location.
Final design
Business Profiles
Comprehensive profiles that allow businesses to showcase their services, certifications, portfolios, and customer reviews.
Service Listings
Easy-to-use templates for listing services, with options to categorize and tag services for better discoverability.
Networking & Connections
A simplified connection feature, allowing businesses to network based on industry, geographic location, and business needs. In-platform messaging for seamless communication between businesses.
Lead Generation
A feature where businesses can post service requests and solicit quotes from other businesses.
List your services
A feature where businesses can post services and solicit offerings of their businesses. Share the basic information about the business and its offerings.
Challenges & Solutions
Outcome & Impact
The final product was well-received by the beta users. Key outcomes included:
Increased Visibility
Users reported higher engagement and better lead generation compared to other platforms.
Positive Feedback
Users appreciated the platform’s simplicity and the tailored features that catered specifically to their needs.
Network Growth
Businesses were able to grow their networks, leading to new partnerships and increased business opportunities.
The platform launched successfully and continues to evolve based on ongoing user feedback, with plans to introduce additional features like AI-driven recommendations and expanded analytics.
Reflection
Designing a B2B platform for SMEs and MSMEs required a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of small businesses. By focusing on simplicity, trust-building, and usability, we were able to create a platform that empowers these businesses to connect, grow, and succeed in the competitive B2B marketplace.
The project highlighted the importance of user-centered design and iterative testing in creating products that truly meet the needs of their users.
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