Designing GoLocal: Crafting a Student-Centric Platform for Local Deals

In today’s fast-paced world, students often seek ways to make their budgets stretch further. Recognizing this need, we embarked on creating GoLocal—a platform dedicated to connecting students with exclusive deals at local businesses across UK universities. This article delves into our design journey, highlighting the steps and considerations that shaped GoLocal into a user-friendly and effective solution.

Identifying the Need

The initial phase of our project involved understanding the challenges students face in accessing affordable local services. Through surveys and informal discussions, we discovered a significant gap: while many local businesses offered student discounts, there was no centralized platform showcasing these deals. This insight became the cornerstone of GoLocal’s mission—to bridge the gap between students and local businesses.

Setting Clear Objectives

With a defined purpose, we outlined key objectives for GoLocal:

• User-Friendly Interface: Design an intuitive platform that allows students to effortlessly discover and redeem deals.

• Business Engagement: Provide local businesses with a straightforward way to list their offers and attract the student demographic.

• Real-Time Updates: Ensure that all deals are current, fostering trust and continuous engagement from users.

Design and Development Process

1. Wireframing and Prototyping: We began by sketching basic layouts, focusing on simplicity and ease of navigation. Utilizing tools like Framer, we developed interactive prototypes to visualize user interactions and gather feedback.

2. User Interface (UI) Design: Our design philosophy centered around a clean and modern aesthetic. We employed a consistent color palette and typography to create a cohesive visual experience. High-quality images and icons were incorporated to enhance engagement without overwhelming the user.

3. User Experience (UX) Considerations: Understanding the importance of a seamless user journey, we mapped out various user scenarios. Features like category filters, search functionality, and personalized recommendations were integrated to enhance usability.

4. Responsive Design: Given the tech-savvy nature of our target audience, ensuring compatibility across devices was paramount. We adopted a mobile-first approach, optimizing the platform for smartphones while maintaining a robust desktop experience.

5. Backend Development: To manage dynamic content, we developed a secure and scalable backend. This infrastructure supports real-time updates, user authentication, and analytics to monitor engagement metrics.

Collaboration with Local Businesses

A unique aspect of GoLocal is its symbiotic relationship with local enterprises. We reached out to businesses near university campuses, highlighting the mutual benefits of featuring their deals on our platform. To facilitate this, we designed an easy-to-use portal where businesses can register, upload offers, and track student engagement.

Testing and Iteration

Before the official launch, we conducted extensive beta testing with a select group of students and business owners. Their feedback was invaluable, leading to refinements in navigation, deal presentation, and overall functionality. This iterative process ensured that GoLocal met the expectations of its users.

Conclusion

Designing GoLocal was a journey rooted in understanding and addressing the unique needs of students and local businesses. By focusing on intuitive design, seamless functionality, and fostering community partnerships, we’ve created a platform that not only offers value but also strengthens the bond between students and their local communities.