Seafarers: Simplifying Global Shipping for E-commerce

Project Overview

Seafarers is a comprehensive shipping website designed to connect maritime professionals with shipping companies, providing a platform for the recruitment and management of seafarers worldwide. The website offers a range of services that streamline the process of finding jobs at sea, facilitating communication between seafarers and ship operators. It typically includes features like job listings, crew management tools, training resources, and industry news. For shipping companies, Seafarers helps in sourcing qualified crew members, managing compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency. It serves as a vital hub in the maritime industry, ensuring that ships are staffed with skilled personnel for safe and effective operations.

UI/UX Design Process

Research & Ideation:

• User Research: Engaged with small and large e-commerce sellers to understand their pain points around logistics, shipping rates, and tracking.

• Persona Creation: Developed personas such as small e-commerce owners, logistics managers, and international shippers to better guide design decisions.

• Competitor Analysis: Analyzed key competitors in the eCommerce logistics industry, gathering insights to improve the design and functionality of Seafarers.

Design & Development:

• Simplified Dashboard: Designed a dashboard to give users an at-a-glance view of their shipping activity, including daily shipments, ratings, and shipment statuses.

• Responsive Design: Ensured the platform was fully mobile-responsive, offering seamless functionality for users on-the-go, particularly e-commerce entrepreneurs managing shipments from their smartphones.

• Real-time Tracking & Notifications: Integrated real-time tracking and push notifications into the interface, giving users control and updates on their shipments.

• User-Friendly Shipping Calculator: Developed an easy-to-use shipping calculator to help sellers determine the best shipping options based on cost and delivery time.

Prototyping & Testing:

• Built interactive prototypes and conducted usability tests with real users to validate the ease of use, especially for small business owners.

• Conducted iterative feedback loops and refined the design to focus on improving conversion rates for users signing up and using the platform for shipping.

Outcome

The final design helped Seafarers stand out in the competitive eCommerce shipping space by offering a user-centric platform with clear, actionable insights and a smooth experience. The simplified dashboard design reduced friction for new users and allowed businesses to manage their logistics and shipping needs more efficiently. With intuitive navigation, quick access to essential features, and a responsive layout, Seafarers became the go-to shipping solution for e-commerce businesses, ultimately improving user satisfaction and retention.

Key Features in the Design

• Easy Access to Key Features: Clear visibility of daily shipments, ratings, and delivery statuses for quick decision-making.

• Global Shipping Network: Integrated sea, air, and ground shipping options across multiple regions, providing the flexibility to businesses worldwide.

• Seamless Onboarding: Designed an easy-to-navigate onboarding flow for new users to set up their accounts and start shipping right away.

• Mobile Optimized: Prioritized mobile responsiveness, making it easy for users to manage shipments from anywhere, anytime.