Project Background
The on-demand service industry has been growing exponentially, and the demand for professional cleaning services is no exception.
In Nigeria, the need for reliable and efficient dry-cleaning and household cleaning services is particularly high due to busy urban lifestyles and the challenges of maintaining a clean home or office environment.
This project aims to develop an app that provides an easy-to-use platform for booking and managing dry-cleaning and household cleaning services.
Project Details
To create an app that addresses the challenges faced by people in Nigeria when looking for reliable cleaners and dry-cleaners, such as trust, quality of service, and convenience.
My Roles & Responsibilities
As the Lead Software Engineer for this project, I was in charge of:
- Developing the app's backend architecture to ensure it can handle user requests efficiently.
- Implementing secure payment gateways to provide various payment options.
- Collaborating with the UI/UX team to create an intuitive user interface.
- Conducting user research to understand the needs and preferences of the target audience.
- Testing and debugging the app to ensure it is free of errors and user-friendly.
The Key Problem
How might we create a reliable and convenient on-demand cleaning service to provide peace of mind and efficiency to urban residents in Nigeria.
Why we chose to address this problem:
In urban Nigeria, finding trustworthy and efficient cleaners and dry-cleaners is a common challenge. The available options often lack reliability, quality assurance, and convenience, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction among users.
The Solution
Our app provides an easy-to-use platform where users can book and manage dry-cleaning and household cleaning services at their convenience.
The key features include:
- User-friendly interface for easy booking.
- Verified and reliable service providers to ensure quality and trust.
- Multiple payment options including card payments and mobile money.
- Real-time tracking and notifications for service updates.
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Key User Flows
Our main user flows are:
- Booking Flow
- User selects service type.
- User chooses date and time.
- User confirms booking and payment.
- Service Tracking Flow
- User receives notifications about the service status.
- User can track the service provider in real-time.
Brainstorming
Online (Secondary) Research
Through this research we found:
- Many users prefer apps that offer multiple services in one.
- Trust and security are significant factors for users when choosing service providers.
Primary Research
Insights from our 1st survey:
- Majority of users have had poor experiences with unreliable service providers.
- Convenience and trust are top priorities for users.
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"I need a service I can trust without worrying about quality." - Survey Respondent (25-29 years old)
Insights from our 2nd survey:
- Users want real-time updates and tracking.
- Variety in payment options is crucial for users.
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"It's essential to know where my cleaner is and when they will arrive.ā - Survey Respondent (18-20 years old)
Personas
From our brainstorming and user insights, we came up with 3 personas:
- Busy Professional
- Needs reliable and timely cleaning services.
- Prefers to book services via mobile app.
- Home Manager
- Manages a large household and needs regular cleaning services.
- Values trust and quality over cost.
- Young Urbanite
- Prefers convenience and ease of booking.
- Looks for affordable options
Takeaways
Working on this project has taught me the importance of user-centered design and the value of continuous feedback in developing a product that truly meets user needs. Addressing the unique challenges faced by users in Nigeria has been both rewarding and enlightening, and I look forward to applying these insights to future projects.
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