Monito.com aims to empathetically support individuals living abroad by providing clear comparisons of international money transfers, neobanks, online banking options, eSIMs, and more.
Through our Exploratory Research, we identified a significant opportunity to create a dedicated app offering substantial value tailored specifically to user needs.
In the second half of 2023, our team began thoughtfully brainstorming potential app features, focusing on clarity and user-centric innovation.
To validate user interest, we performed a clear and insightful smoke test by placing an app banner on our website. This method transparently measured user demand without requiring upfront development.
Positive initial feedback and targeted user tests gave us confidence in the potential value of investing in a dedicated app.
First Ideation
During initial ideation, I collaboratively developed multiple concept designs addressing unique needs for individuals abroad. These included community-building features and a practical "dashboard" integrating information relevant to users' new and original countries.
Early sketches and concept designs reflecting thoughtful user-centric ideas.
For the MVP, we strategically started with our core product, the International Money Transfer (IMT) Comparison, optimizing the existing mobile web experience into an intuitive app.
Initial production version of the app, designed with clarity and simplicity.
Working collaboratively with Jackie (UX Designer, Money Transfer), we adapted designs specifically for mobile, introducing thoughtful UI enhancements, vector illustrations, and engaging animations to enhance user experience.
Animated onboarding illustrations designed to warmly welcome users.
Successful Validation and Next Steps
App adoption met our defined targets, validating our empathetic approach. Consequently, I led efforts to introduce additional products and user-centered content from our website into the app.
To clearly understand user needs, I conducted detailed remote moderated user interviews, complemented by usability tests with mid-fidelity prototypes.
Remote user interviews highlighting genuine user feedback.
Quantitative validation followed through a clear survey, helping to measure feature desirability and sentiment among a broader audience.
Insights from quantitative surveys.
Affinity mapping helped reveal meaningful themes, guiding user personas and concept designs. Collaboratively, we distilled a cost-effective MVP variant, called the "vertical grid", effectively bridging app content and web views.
Concept designs leading to the MVP.
Custom Icons to Enhance Clarity
To improve clarity and user navigation in our MVP vertical grid, I thoughtfully created a custom icon set. These intuitive icons helped users quickly identify and access different products, adding visual appeal and clarity.
Custom icons created to enhance usability and visual coherence.
Measurable Impact
Our thoughtful, user-centric design approach proved successful. The new section significantly increased user engagement. Specifically, the introduction of the ‘vertical grid’ more than doubled multi-vertical referrals (from 7.5% to 16.5%), with 46% of users interacting with at least one vertical tile on the ‘For You’ page.
Clear, measurable outcomes from A/B testing.
Seeing the value clearly reflected in user behavior, I further contributed by creating adaptable HTML components for content comparisons. These flexible components allowed for immediate user benefit and rapid iteration based on real-time feedback.
HTML components designed for quick iteration and user value.
Looking Ahead
Driven by the clear success and positive user reception of our new live-in section, we confidently moved forward with developing a separate dedicated app, leveraging insights and designs from our initial section.
Listing for the new Abroad app.
Main Takeaways
The structured and empathetic approach—testing hypotheses, refining MVPs, and iterative enhancements based on clear user feedback—has significantly shaped my design philosophy. Working on a transformative product that tangibly improves user experience has been both professionally rewarding and personally insightful.
This thoughtful, collaborative, and iterative design process will guide future projects and ensure continued alignment with genuine user needs.