Boosting Herlure's Online Visibility with a Website
Rachel Johnson
User Researcher
Prototyper
UI Designer
Figma
Overview
My passion lies in using design to solve problems and help businesses achieve their goals. When Bolanle Banwo started BrandHer campaign, an initiative to celebrate International Women's Day by supporting the growth of small female-owned businesses, I saw the perfect opportunity to put my skills to work and volunteered.
My Role
I led the website design for Herlure Studio from end to end collaborating with 2 Brand Identity Designers and 3 UI/UX Designers and with Herlure mentorship.
Tackling the Challenge
Herlure solely relied on getting customers through word-of-mouth referrals, missing out on a wider online customer base. Our Stakeholder interview confirmed this, revealing limited online visibility. So, we knew we had to create a website showcasing Herlure's unique offerings and giving people a delightful experience.
Designing with Users in Mind
We kickstarted this design journey by analyzing existing hair salon websites, and noting down the common strengths and weaknesses of these platforms.
With a usability audit, we gathered user feedback to understand their needs and frustrations. This informed our design decisions and we came up with ideas we represented in wireframes.
Key design solutions
Captivating Hero Section: Building an Immediate Connection
The hero section is designed to immediately showcase a carousel of models rocking Herlure's hairstyles. This is to create a welcoming environment and reflect Herlure's mission to make every woman feel beautiful and confident.
Salon Page: Replicating the In-Salon Experience Online
We understand from our research that users have a preference for browsing services similar to visiting a physical salon. The 'Salon Page' mimics this experience. With a display of services with clear descriptions, prices, and high-quality photos, users can make their own choices.
Seamless Online Booking: Convenience at Your Fingertips
We introduced an online booking system to simplify scheduling appointments. Users can select desired services, choose a time slot, and even opt for home service within a few steps. The system is very detailed as it states the duration of each service which allows the customer to plan accordingly to avoid time wastage.
Interactive Hair Type Quiz: Personalized Care for Every Curl
Another solution we came up with was a fun and interactive hair-type quiz that helps users discover their unique hair needs. Based on their answers, they get to find their exact hair texture and get quality hair product recommendations to maintain their beautiful hair tresses and help them make informed purchases.
Impacts
We did our final presentation to the client on 22nd May, 2023. Herlure's social media page customer engagement increased by 20%.
This design got featured on the BrandHer campaign website. And, it was the first to be showcased on BrandHer's Instagram page —proof of this project's success.
Aside from number, witnessing the Founder of Herlure's impressed reaction to our design solutions was fulfilling. She invited me and my team for a free hair service at her salon.
Learnings
Beyond pushing pixels, this project was more about empowering a business! I came to learn the importance of collaboration, being open to feedback — good or bad, and the power of design to solve real-world problems. This website isn't live yet but I'm willing to get it into development when I get a hang of Webflow.
This was one of my proudest projects. I like that it allowed me to flex my creative muscles and be involved in every step of the design process. Thanks to my teammates and the BrandHer campaign Team for making this volunteering experience a great one for me.
And thank you for scrolling!
