Ethikins – Simplifying Sustainable E-Commerce App

A sustainable e-commerce mobile app that offer eco-conscious consumers a convenient platform for purchasing ethical products.

👁👁 Overview

"Ethikins" is a digital platform committed to providing a convenient and curated platform for discovering and purchasing affordable sustainable skincare products. We offer a hassle-free shopping experience while empowering consumers to make informed choices for their skin and the planet.

Our products are Ayurvedic-inspired with organic, ethical ingredients. Minimalist sustainable packaging. Transparent info on ingredients and production with personalised skincare tips for you.

📝 Problem

Identifying a gap in the market for sustainable e-commerce solutions and outlining the goal of developing a user-centric app that encourages ethical consumption.

Sustainable E-commerce
Sustainable E-commerce

The app is designed to empower users to make environmentally conscious choices while promoting sustainability.

👀 What the user need?

Discoverability
Discoverability

Help users find authentic, high-quality, ecofriendly products from local businesses.

Transparency
Transparency

Provide clear information about the sustainability practices of products and businesses.

Affordability
Affordability

Offer a variety of eco-friendly products at competitive prices

🎨 Design Thinking “Double Diamond” Process Model

Design Thinking “Double Diamond” Process Model

🔎 Research & Analysis

Research Design Considerations

During the design process of the sustainable e-commerce research, several key considerations were taken into account.

Questions were made clear, concise, and jargon-free to ensure clarity and relevance to the survey's objectives. Closed-ended questions were preferred for quantitative analysis.

Research & Analysis

🎯 Target Audience Preference

  • Our target users are tech-savvy urban professionals aged 25-44 in Indian T1 group.

  • They are environmentally conscious consumers (users) who values the use of products and seek convenience in shopping for eco-friendly products.

  • Given their busy lifestyles and high smartphone usage, we're developing a mobile app wireframe to connect them with ethically, locally produced Indian skincare and beauty products.

🔎 Competitor Analysis

We performed an in-depth UI/UX competitor analysis.
This process involved identifying key competitors and assessing their user interface and user experience designs.
By examining their strengths, weaknesses, and unique design elements, we gathered valuable insights that inform our design decisions.

Competitor Analysis

Research Design Considerations

Ecohoy Brown Living Amazon India
Strengths
  1. Wide range of products
  2. Certification initiative
  3. Carbon footprint calculator tool
  1. Wide variety of eco-friendly products
  2. Good customer support and service
  3. It is easy to find products and navigate the purchasing process.
  1. Extensive product range and variety.
  2. Strong logistics and delivery network.
  3. Competitive pricing and deals.
  4. Customer-centric approach with robust customer service.
  5. Innovative technology and e-commerce solutions.
Weaknesses
  1. Limited data on customer reviews
  2. Pricing and rewards system
  3. Usability
  1. Ù Unclear certifications
  2. Lack of information on carbon footprint reduction initiatives
  1. Issues related to seller management and product quality control.
  2. Concerns regarding data privacy and cybersecurity.
  3. Difficulty in reaching customer service representatives.
  4. Challenges with infrastructure and logistics in certain regions.
  5. Regulatory challenges and compliance issues.
  6. Availability of product delivery at any location should be given in the starting not after few steps.

The competitor analysis revealed key insights that significantly shaped the product design:

  • User-Friendliness: Inspired by Brown Living’s simple navigation, the design now emphasizes accessibility with well-organized categories and detailed product descriptions.
  • Transparency: Gaps in competitors' eco-certifications led to clear, verifiable sustainability metrics and certifications in the product.
  • Product Variety: Amazon’s broad product range set a standard, influencing the platform to offer a diverse selection of quality eco-friendly products.
  • Customer Experience: Strong customer support features, inspired by competitors, were integrated, including multi-channel support and user-friendly designs.
  • Innovative Tools: Features like carbon footprint calculators and educational content were added, inspired by Ecohoy, to engage users and highlight the brand's commitment to sustainability.

🧑 User Persona

User Persona
Sameer Tiwari

😌 Empathy mapping

Empathy mapping
Empathy mapping

⭐ MVP Features️️

This MVP focuses on delivering a functional and user-friendly app that highlights our brand's commitment to sustainability while providing a smooth shopping experience.

👤 1. User Authentication and Profile Management
  • User Registration and Login - Easy sign-up and login with email, phone, and social media (e.g., Google, Facebook).
  • Profile Management - Allow users to manage their personal information, view order history, track order and change (edit) delivery address.
📱 2. Product Catalog and Navigation
  • Product listings - Display products with images, brief descriptions, prices, and sustainability badges (e.g., organic, cruelty-free).
  • Categories and filters - Organise products into categories (e.g., skincare, haircare, body care) and provide filters (e.g., skin type, concerns, price range).
  • Search functionality - Include a search bar with autocomplete suggestions and relevant results.
📜 3. Product Detail Pages
  • Detailed Information - Include comprehensive product descriptions, ingredients, usage instructions, and benefits.
  • User Reviews and Ratings - Display customer reviews and ratings to build trust and help users make informed decisions.
  • Sustainability Information - Highlight eco-friendly practices, such as packaging, sourcing, and certifications.
🛒 4. Shopping Cart and Checkout
  • Cart Management - Users can add, remove, and adjust the quantity of items in their cart.
  • Checkout Process - A streamlined process including address selection, shipping options, and secure payment methods (credit/debit cards, digital wallets, COD).
  • Order Confirmation - Display a summary of the order and send a confirmation email and in-app notification.
💚 5. Wish list and Favourites
  • Save for Later - Allow users to save products if they are interested in for future purchases.
🔔 6. Push Notifications and Alerts
  • Order Updates - Notify users about order status, including shipping and delivery updates.
  • Promotions and Offers - Notify the users about new arrivals, discounts, and special offers.
📞 7. Customer Support
  • In-App Chat Support - Provide basic customer support for queries related to products and orders.
  • FAQ Section - Include answers to common questions about products, shipping, returns, etc.

♦ Information Architecture

Structuring the app for optimal user experience. Creating intuitive flows based on user research and competitor analysis.

Information Architecture

↗ User Flows

Examining our product through the lens of the user, starting from launching the application to completing the desired action. We outlined the user flow to establish the key process stages.

User Flows
User Flows
User Flows
User Flows
User Flows

🧠 Idea & Wireframes

Based on the requirements and initial input, we started visualising the app structure by creating rough wireframes.

Idea & Wireframes

🔎 Usability Testing

We conducted usability testing on the prototype with the project team and consumers.

The objective was to gather qualitative insights on the ease of use and the feature's impact on improving users' work efficiency. The design received positive feedback.

The primary focus areas included user flows, key task processes, and information architecture. Our goal was to observe how users navigate to the product screen and assess whether they could place orders quickly and effortlessly.

Heat map testing helps us visualize and analyze where users focus, click, scroll, and interact on this e-commerce mobile app.

Usability Testing
  • We understand which elements capture users' attention.

  • Analyzing user navigation patterns and evaluating whether users follow the intended flow.

  • Identifying the problem areas and detecting elements that users mistakenly perceive as clickable.

  • Enhancing the conversion rates by refining critical call-to-action position.

Tree testing makes it easier for consumers to find specific product categories without frustration.

Usability Testing
Testing Results

🎨 High-Fidelity Design

Styleguides & brand aesthetic

I have finalized the color palette, fonts, icons, input fields, and other design elements in alignment with the "Ethikins" brand

High-Fidelity Design

High Fidelity Prototype

High Fidelity Prototype

I crafted a prototype to deliver a seamless new mobile experience, featuring an intuitive product ordering flow, personalized profiles, smart filtering, and real-time payment status updates.

Next steps

  • Implement advanced AI driven personalization for consumer engagement.

  • Conduct A/B testing to optimize new features.

  • Perform regular usability testing to ensure platform efficiency and user satisfaction.

  • Develop the Minimum Viable Beta (MVB) version for further testing and feedback.

Contact

"I'm here to help! Whether you have a question, want to grow your business, or would like to discuss potential design solutions, I'm ready to assist. Feel free to reach out using the contact information below, or fill out the form, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

Mobile +91 7402411126, +91 74485-14778

Email info@rajdesignstudio.com

Address Bangalore, India

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