Individuals often go online in search of wellness retreats that meet their specific needs, but the overwhelming number of search results can add to their stress. To address this issue, I conducted contextual inquiries and interviews to understand their struggles. Based on their feedback, I developed a prototype wellness retreat webpage with features like easy contact for personalized recommendations, relatable images, and informative reviews.
User Interview | Contextual Research | Usability Testing
Methodology
To design a research-backed wellness webpage, the following methods are used.
Participant Screening
Prior to testing, participants were screened using a set of questions. These questions assessed their age range, whether they had actively searched for wellness retreat programs in the past year, and whether they had utilized online resources during their search. Participants were thanked for their participation, and any queries they had were addressed before proceeding.
Task Instructions
Task instructions were provided to guide participants during the testing phase. They were asked to browse through the webpage and familiarize themselves with the wellness programs, read and explore the reviews and ratings, and input information that they considered important when searching for a wellness retreat.
Key Questions
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Observing interactions, noting difficulties, satisfaction, and confusion.
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Exploring hypotheses on features' intuitiveness, image effectiveness, review elements, and preference capture.
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Assessing confidence in request transmission and preferred contact time.
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Rating user-friendliness and obtaining final thoughts on the prototype.
Moderated User Testing
Moderated user testing sessions were then conducted, with participants engaging in a Zoom session where the prototype Figma link was shared. The testing process adhered to a structured agenda, which involved an introduction of the test, obtaining consent, observing their interaction with the prototype while taking detailed notes, and concluding with follow-up questions.
Wellness retreat webpage_prototype
Integration of Maze.co
To gain further insights and data, the use of Maze.co was incorporated. This platform facilitated the collection of data-backed reports, including a heatmap that visualized user interactions.
Participants
Persona
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Are of professionals with manager-level roles
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Millennials and Gen X interested in wellness retreats
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One male and three female participants
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Diverse perspectives, including those with prior retreat experience
Task 3 User feedback
Task 3 | To browse through the webpage, and learn about the wellness programs
Positive feedback highlighted the attractiveness of the webpage, short program descriptions, and the emotional connection created by relatable images. Improvements were suggested regarding weight-related language, more images throughout the webpage, and catering to diverse demographics.
Task 2 User feedback
Task 2 | To find and read the reviews and ratings of the programs
Participants appreciated the presence of honest reviews, finding them valuable in the decision-making process. Suggestions included incorporating pictures of the reviewers and encouraging interactions between the retreat and reviewers.
Task 1 User feedback
Task 1 | To input the information on the form
Participants found the form intuitive and easy to use. However, improvements were suggested, such as providing more information on the form to effectively communicate preferences and adding flexibility in communication options.
Feedback on Tasks
Themes observed across all tasks
Weight and Body Image
In user feedback, there's a common concern that wellness programs overly emphasize weight loss, potentially reinforcing the belief that worth is tied to thinness. Users are seeking a more inclusive approach that prioritizes overall well-being
Visual Presentation
Users shared feedback on webpage visuals, praising emotionally engaging images, effective use of brown colors for ADHD users, and overall attractiveness. Critiques included a need for more images, particularly on the retreat program detail page. Suggestions included adding icons and improving visual presentation in the description.
Inclusivity and Representation
Feedback underscored the need to cater to diverse demographics, especially those who are overweight. Users want more inclusive visuals and content to ensure the programs feel accessible to a broader range of participants.
Information Clarity and Organization
Suggestions were made to improve the presentation of the travel agent's offerings by increasing text size, using icons, and choosing a visually appealing background.
Iterate and Test
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Implement design changes based on feedback
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Gather additional user feedback (testing or surveys)
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Iterative process for design validation
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Ensure webpage addresses issues and user needs
Improve Visual Presentation of Travel Agent's Offerings
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Enlarge text for readability
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Choose appealing backgrounds
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Include icons/visuals for engagement
Enhance Visual Representation
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Enhance visuals for the retreat program detail page
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Emphasize diversity and inclusivity in images
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Showcase various body types and backgrounds
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Include retreat center images for environmental context
Re-evaluate Weight-Related Language
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Review content on weight and body image
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Reframe to emphasize well-being, inclusivity, self-acceptance
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Promote positive, supportive language for all body types