Great Little Cars (Case Study)
Role
Product Designer
Project Type
Client Case Study
Tools/Skills
Figma, User Research, Prototyping
Timeline
Sep 2024 - Nov 2024
Great Little Cars, a Santa Fe used car dealership since 1995, has earned local recognition for its service. They requested website improvements due to poor navigation, search, and inventory layout. I conducted a holistic evaluation and delivered long-term recommendations to align user experience with business goals.
Prototype Overview
The Problem
Great Little Cars approached us to enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of their website. The current site presents several usability issues, including confusing navigation, cluttered page layouts, a weak search function, and insufficient vehicle inventory details. Visually, the design lacks clarity and key user-centric features, making it difficult for visitors to find and engage with the information they need.
Understanding Our Users
The major takeaway? Users need clearer navigation, simpler access to available inventory, and a more trustworthy, polished UI.
Information Architecture
Given that navigation was a clear pain point, I decided to deep dive on the current Information Architecture to have a more informed, revised IA.
Ideation and Wireframing
User feedback highlighted key pain points in the Great Little Cars website, but I still needed to define what a simpler, more intuitive experience would look like for visitors. After brainstorming, I identified three main goals for the redesign:
Simplify site navigation to make it easier for users to browse and find vehicles.
Improve how the vehicle inventory is displayed to offer clearer, more accessible information.
Enhance the overall visual design to build trust and improve readability.
Using Figma, I developed initial wireframes to help visualize these improvements and guide the redesign process.
Home Page
Specific Model Page
Specific Car Page
The Final Redesign
After prototyping and initial user testing, the redesigned Great Little Cars website came to life!
The final updates include a simplified navigation structure, clearer vehicle inventory displays, and improved visual design with better color contrast and readability. These changes aim to make the site more accessible and trustworthy for all users.
Outcomes
100% of interview survey repondents evaluated the redesign as a 5/5 in terms of perceived trustworthiness, naviagtional flow, and ability to find key information.
Takeaways
Understand User Needs: Used car buyers value trust, transparency, easy comparison, and clear info. Addressing these improved the user experience.
Clear, Accessible Info: Simplified navigation, visible contact details, and prominent vehicle features boosted user confidence.
Balance Design & Usability: Users prefer clean layouts with quality images, readable text, and organized filters over flashy design.
Trust Signals Matter: Customer reviews, ratings, and awards build trust and increase conversions.
Keep Improving: Ongoing user feedback and A/B testing ensure the site stays relevant and user-friendly.
