Xtrema

Website redesign that enhanced conversion and increased traffic

2021
UX Design - eCommerce
Problem
The outdated website and its poor performance have negatively impacted Xtrema's online presence, especially in the face of increased competition eroding its digital standing.
Outcome
Increased traffic resulting from the improvements made to navigation, product taxonomy, and site mapping, as well as the strategic structuring of page sections for enhanced conversion rates.

Overview

Xtrema

is a pioneering brand known for its revolutionary 100% pure ceramic cookware, leading the charge in promoting healthy cooking habits through its extensive range of products and recipes.

Key Deliverables
UX Plan, Brand Identity, Conversion Rate Optimization, Information Architecture, Navigation, Competitive Analysis, Engineering Handoff
Roles
Design Lead (Me), Yusuf Shurbaji (Co-Founder), Yaseen Shurbaji (CRO Lead), Sarah Silva (Head of Engineering), Ellice Bucog (UI Designer)

Understanding the Problem

Constraints

There were obstacles to navigate in order to ensure the project's goals were met. The constraints that had the most significant impact on the project were:

Timeline

We had a tight deadline of 4 weeks, which was important to get the client's approval on the UX strategy and decide which parts of the design to focus on first. It was crucial to secure client buy-in and align on prioritizing the initial design phases before beginning the project.

Brand and Style Guidelines

While the company had an existing brand, a compelling new brand identity became essential to stay relevant in today's market while still embodying the essence of the company.

Client Feedback

Client resistance surfaced when proposing content changes for future pages. It was imperative to thoroughly explore the fundamental issues impacting the design and the brand's voice, fostering confidence with the client. Emphasizing an open-minded approach and staying focused on the broader project goals was strongly encouraged throughout the entire process.

Platform

While Shopify offers a customizable commerce platform, it does have inherent limitations that designers need to consider. I consistently communicated with the Lead Engineer to establish realistic expectations to prevent unnecessary spending on designs that might strain the client's budget.

Hypothesis

Pinpoint key weaknesses to fortify both their brand and website, strategically overcoming the hurdles of an underwhelming online presence. By gathering data from research and analyzing behavioral patterns in past testing results, insights can shape a proactive UX strategy. This approach targets the most crucial areas of improvement with clarity.

Process Overview

The implementation of a lean UX approach streamlined the redesign of the website by fostering rapid iteration and continuous feedback loops. This methodology prioritized user feedback and data, allowing for efficient adjustments to design elements and features, ultimately enhancing the user experience and optimizing the website's performance.

Xtrema

Design Efforts

Iterations

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Impact

Solution

Revamp the website through a strategic redesign that elevates its visual appeal and attracts more traffic from existing and potential customers. Highlighting the health benefits of non-stick ceramic cookware, aiming to craft a transformative online presence that resonates with the essence of the brand.

Retrospective

Key Learnings

• During research, it was revealed that actual competitors extended beyond ceramic cookware to include all non-stick cookware. This insight significantly influenced the development of the new brand identity and the wireframing of core pages, guiding the strategy in a more effective direction.

• Juggling design concepts to align with both brand identity and user requirements presented challenges. Necessary trade-offs for practical considerations were unavoidable, particularly when tasked with redesigning numerous pages within a constrained timeframe. This occasionally led to heightened or unrealistic expectations and the potential risk of accumulating design and technical debt.

• Constraints offered the benefit of increasing productivity by pushing me to accomplish more in less time. It served as a focal point, helping refine the project's vision.

Xtrema
Retrospective

Overall, I enjoyed implementing a streamlined UX process and leading the creative direction of the project. Being a part of Xtrema's new chapter and getting the necessary support from the team at Prismfly during the entire process was particularly fulfilling.