Online Platform for Small Bakeries

The goal of this project was to create an online platform specifically for small bakeries, enabling them to grow their business and enhance user experience. The key problem we aimed to address was the difficulty customers face in finding baked products on generic apps like Amazon, which lack the dedicated focus on fresh, handmade baked goods.

1. Complex User Experience: Finding baked products on generic platforms like Amazon is challenging and time-consuming.

2. Limited Reach for Small Bakers: Small bakeries struggle to reach a broader customer base.

3. Lack of Dedicated App for Fresh Baked Goods: Customers cannot find an app that delivers fresh, handmade baked products directly to their doorstep.

4. Inconvenience for Busy Customers: Customers with busy schedules do not have time to stop at bakeries to pick up their orders.

1. Marketplace Creation: Building an app that connects small bakeries with end users and establishes a marketplace.

2. Immersive User Experience: Providing an engaging and intuitive app navigation experience.

3. Convenient Ordering: Allowing users to place or pick up orders at their convenience with just a few clicks.

I found a survey as part of my secondary research that provided valuable insights. This survey had 64 responses and included screening questions to identify the demographic and purchase frequency of baked goods. The majority of users were between 18-35 years old. Key findings from the survey included:

Need for In-store Experience: Users desired an online shopping experience that mirrored the in-store experience.

Delivery and On-the-go Service: Users wanted delivery and convenient pick-up options.

Trust Enhancement: Users suggested providing samples to increase trust.

Freshness: Ensuring products were as fresh as possible was crucial.

Customization: Users wanted options for product customization.

A competitive audit was conducted to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of competitors. The insights gained informed our design process, helping us save time, money, and energy.

Design Solutions and Implementation

1. Creating a Marketplace: The app was designed to connect small bakeries with customers, offering a dedicated marketplace for fresh, handmade baked goods.

2. Enhancing User Experience: The design included an intuitive navigation system, engaging visuals, and detailed product descriptions to mirror the in-store experience.

3. Convenient Ordering: Features like quick order placement, flexible pick-up, and delivery options were integrated to accommodate users' busy schedules.

4. Building Trust: To address trust issues, the app provided detailed information about ingredients and nutrition, offered samples, and showcased user reviews and ratings.