Catalyse Case Study: Designing a Profitable Referrer Web App

Background

Catalyse is a unique platform that focuses on referrals to connect employers with top talent. Unlike other platforms, Catalyse leverages trusted networks to streamline recruitment. Our goal was to design a user-friendly, engaging dashboard that simplifies referrals, enhances transparency, and tracks candidate progress efficiently, ultimately driving profitability.

Objective

As the UI/UX Design Lead, my aim was to create a comprehensive dashboard for Catalyse that boosts user engagement, simplifies the referral process, and drives higher revenue for the platform.

Research and Insights

1. User Feedback:

Collected insights from HR professionals and potential users about their needs and pain points, ensuring the design would meet market demands.

2. Competitive Analysis:

Studied platforms like LinkedIn to identify best practices and opportunities for differentiation.

3. Usability Testing:

Conducted tests to gather feedback and refine the design for optimal user satisfaction and efficiency.

Key Design Challenges

1. Simplifying Referrals:

Needed to make the referral process quick and intuitive to increase participation.

2. Ensuring Transparency:

A clear, understandable reward system was crucial to motivate users.

3. Tracking Candidates:

Users required an efficient way to track the progress of their referrals to maintain engagement and trust.

Design Solutions

1. Easy Referrals:

Developed a streamlined referral form with a step-by-step guide, reducing the time and effort required to make referrals.

2. Clear Rewards:

Created a transparent reward dashboard showing how rewards are earned and tracked, boosting user motivation and activity.

3. Candidate Tracking:

Implemented a comprehensive tracking system with updates and notifications, keeping users informed and engaged.

Dashboard Components

1. Home Page:

Featured a clear call-to-action for referrals, highlighting the benefits and potential rewards.

2. Referral Form:

Simplified form with options to upload resumes and add personal notes about candidates.

3. Dashboard:

Provided an overview of referral activity, including submitted referrals, pending approvals, and successful placements, along with earned rewards.

4. Candidate Tracking:

Enabled users to see the progress of their referrals through various stages of the recruitment process with status updates.

5. Reward System:

Detailed information on how rewards are calculated and distributed, with a focus on upcoming earning opportunities.

6. Profile Management:

Allowed users to manage their personal information, referral history, and notification preferences.

Implementation and Testing

1. Prototypes:

Created and tested prototypes to refine the design and functionality based on real user feedback.

2. Iterative Design:

Used an agile approach to continuously improve the design based on user input and emerging needs.

3. Onboarding:

Developed comprehensive tutorials and documentation to help users get started with ease.

Results

- Higher Engagement:

  - The simplified referral process and clear rewards system significantly increased user participation, leading to more referrals and higher platform activity.

- Increased Revenue:

  - The user-friendly design and efficient tracking system enabled quicker and more successful placements, driving higher profits for Catalyse through increased referral fees and successful matches.

- Enhanced User Retention:

  - Positive user feedback and satisfaction led to higher retention rates, with users frequently returning to make referrals and track progress.

- Competitive Advantage:

  - The unique design and functionality of the platform differentiated Catalyse from competitors, attracting more users and businesses looking for efficient recruitment solutions.

Conclusion

The redesign of Catalyse's dashboard successfully addressed key challenges, making referrals easier, rewards clearer, and tracking more efficient. This not only improved the user experience but also significantly boosted engagement and profitability for the platform.

Future Steps

1. Continuous Improvement:

Regular updates based on user feedback and market trends to keep the platform competitive.

2. Advanced Analytics:

Introducing deeper insights into referral and recruitment performance to drive further optimization and profitability.

3. Community Engagement:

Building a user community to share tips, best practices, and feedback, fostering ongoing improvement and innovation.