Billhub
Your Subscription Management Companion
A mobile app designed to help us take control of our subscriptions and save money.
Role
UX/UI Design
My Responsibilities
Conducting User research, Designing User flows and
wireframes, Prototyping and Conducting
two rounds of Usability testing.
Timeline
May 2023 - June 2023
Project Overview
Problem
Many people struggle to keep track of numerous subscriptions and recurring expenses, often paying for services they no longer need.
Solution
BillHub offers a sophisticated tool that helps users regain control, streamline their expenses, and make informed financial decisions.
Benefit
Enjoy convenience and financial clarity by efficiently managing all subscriptions in one place with BillHub.
Problem Space
Business Focus
Current Availability
BillHub is a website that serves customers in the United States.
Target Market
Focus on expanding into the German market.
Strategic Expansion
Developing a mobile-friendly app to capture a wider audience and enhance user experience.
Growth Objective
Strengthen the company's presence and broaden its reach in the subscription management industry.
User Focus
User Challenge
Difficulty managing subscriptions and tracking recurring expenses.
Need for a Solution
Lack of a simple, intuitive tool dedicated to subscription management.
User Goal
Seek clarity on costs, organization, and ease in tracking and managing subscriptions.
Research
To explore the domain of subscription management, I conducted thorough online research to ascertain the presence of any comparable apps in the market. I discovered several alternative subscription management apps. Eager to compare and contrast, I delved into a competitive analysis, carefully examining the pros and cons of each contender. Below are the highlights of a few popular apps.
Competitor 1 - Rocket Money
PROS
Instantly finds and tracks your subscriptions.
Easily cancel unwanted subscriptions.
Negotiates cell phone and cable bills.
Tracks your spending.
Provides breakdown of user spending.
Notifies of upcoming charges - real time alerts.
Helps users create a budget.
CONS
Limited features available in the free version.
Expensive.
Requires access to sensitive personal information.
Cancellation of premium membership requires too many steps.
Competitor 2 - Trim
PROS
Makes it easy to cancel unwanted subscriptions.
Syncs to your bank accounts and credit cards.
Negotiates cable, internet, phone and medical bills.
Easy to use.
CONS
Bills in advance of realized savings.
Requires access to your bank accounts.
There is no mobile application.
Competitor 3 - Pocket Guard
PROS
Sync accounts from thousands of institutions.
Know how much you can spend with the ‘In my Pocket’ feature.
Get personalized reports on your spending.
Build budgets and set savings goals.
CONS
Must sync accounts to use.
Free versions has customization limits.
‘Only premium users have access to ‘Cancel your Subscription’.
No bill negotiation feature.
But that wasn’t enough - I craved deeper insights. So, I sought out the wisdom of real users engaging in insightful interviews to understand their perspectives, pain points and desires when it comes to subscription apps.
Written Summary ( User Interviews )
The research provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by the users in managing subscriptions, their current practices and their preferences for features and notifications. These findings can guide the development of a subscription tracking app that addresses user needs and pain points effectively.
Problem Statement
“How might we create a seamless and user-friendly subscription management app that simplifies the process of tracking, managing and optimizing subscriptions while empowering users to make informed decisions and save money?”
User Flow
Easily view and add subscriptions
Cancel subscriptions you no longer need
Create alerts for timely notifications
Each step in the flow is straightforward, guiding users through the process with minimal complexity.
Design
Primary Features
With the research findings in hand and a clear understanding of user needs, it’s time to dive into the heart of Billhub’s functionality. Let’s explore how this intuitive app simplifies subscription management and puts users back in the driver’s seat.
Through a user-friendly interface, Billhub allows you to effortlessly view and add subscriptions, ensuring all your services are neatly organized in one place. No more digging through emails or scrolling through endless accounts.
When it’s time to bid farewell to an
unwanted subscription, Billhub provides a
seamless cancellation process, giving you
control over your expenses.
Creating alerts for specific subscriptions ensures you never miss a payment or renewal date.
And that’s not all! We’ve taken it a step further by introducing the innovative ‘Assist’ feature. With our AI based chatbot at your service, you can get personalized assistance, real-time recommendations and answers to your specific usage questions. It’s like having your own subscription management expert in your pocket.
Usability Testing
In order to ensure that Billhub meets the needs and expectations of its users, a series of usability testing sessions were conducted. These sessions involved potential users navigating through the app's interface and performing various tasks. The insights gained from these tests provide valuable feedback to further enhance the user experience and address any usability issues.
Context : Cash transaction option in Billhub’s account linking process.
Unnecessary inclusion of the cash transaction option.
Problem
Removal of the cash option due to the predominantly one-on-one nature of these transactions.
Solution
Context : Users faced a limitation when trying to link multiple accounts with the same bank.
This restriction caused inconvenience for users who wanted to manage multiple accounts under a single bank within the app.
Problem
Problem
Once they successfully linked one account from a particular bank, the app did not allow them to link another account from the same bank.
Solution
Upon linking an account, the app now displays the bank card with the indication that one account has been linked.
Selecting ‘Add New’ allows users to link an additional account from the same bank.
The bank card is now updated to show the number of linked accounts.
Users can easily access and make changes or edits to each individual account by clicking on the respective account.
Context : Adding the option to pause subscriptions.
Problem
Users expressed a desire for the ability to temporarily pause their subscriptions.
Solution
Implemented a new feature that allows users to pause their subscriptions for a chosen period of time.
Users can set a specific timeline for the pause and choose whether they want to auto-renew the subscription once the pause period is over or receive a notification before renewal.
Context : Introducing the option to split the cost of shared subscriptions.
Problem
Users expressed a desire to split the subscription cost with other users when sharing subscriptions.
Solution
Implemented a feature that allows users to select a specific subscription, enable the ‘Split cost’ option and choose the number of people to split the cost with
Solution
Users can input the phone numbers of the intended recipients, and Billhub will send a message on the user’s behalf facilitating the split of the subscription cost among the selected individuals.
The usability testing phase proved to be valuable in gathering user feedback and insights, enabling us to refine the Billhub app and enhance the user experience. Incorporating user suggestions and addressing pain points, we have developed a final prototype that offers intuitive navigation, streamlined subscription management, and personalized features. The feedback received from users during the testing phase has been instrumental in shaping the app's design and functionality, ensuring a user-centric and effective solution for managing subscriptions.
Embracing new horizons: Expanding Billhub to the German market
Compliance with Data Protection Regulations
As Billhub expands its services to the German market, it recognizes the importance of complying with stringent data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The app has been designed with a strong emphasis on data security and privacy to ensure user trust and compliance with GDPR requirements.
Secure handling of User Data
Billhub prioritizes the security and privacy of user data. During the onboarding process, users are provided with complete information about linking their bank accounts and reassured that their personal information is handled with the utmost care. The app employs end-to-end encryption, which ensures that user data remains safe and unreadable by anyone, including Billhub. This level of encryption ensures that neither Billhub nor any unauthorized parties can view or modify user data.
As Billhub embarks on its expansion into the vibrant German market, the company embraces the opportunity for growth and aims to captivate a wider user base. Extensive research into German design preferences has led to the strategic choice of a vibrant color palette and the utilization of the Nunito font. These design elements, resonating with the German audience’s preference for energetic colors and clean typography, embody Billhub’s brand attributes of trustworthiness, care and friendliness. By incorporating these elements, Billhub is poised to make a captivating entrance into the German market, forging strong connections with its users while ensuring optimal translation and legibility through the Nunito font.
How is Billhub different from the other existing apps in the market?
In a crowded sea of subscription apps, Billhub stands out with its unique approach. Unlike other platforms that bombard users with numerous features like budgeting, saving, and negotiations, Billhub stays true to its core purpose: managing subscriptions effortlessly. By focusing solely on subscriptions, Billhub eliminates the overwhelming clutter and provides users with a streamlined and intuitive experience. But that's not all. We've taken it a step further by introducing the innovative Assist feature. With our chatbot at your service, you can get personalized assistance, real-time recommendations, and answers to your specific usage questions. It's like having your own subscription management expert in your pocket. Billhub is here to simplify your subscription journey and put you back in control, making it a standout choice in the world of subscription management apps.
Lessons Learned
User - Centered Design
Prioritizing user needs and preferences is crucial for creating a successful app.
Simplicity and Core Focus
Users appreciate simplicity and apps that stick to their core purpose.
Customization and Flexibility
Offering customization options provides users with the flexibility they desire.
Data Security and Privacy
Addressing user concerns about data security and privacy is crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive financial information. Clear communication and transparency about data handling, encryption and privacy policies instill trust and confidence in users.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case study of Billhub highlights the importance of user-centered design, simplicity, customization, iterative design, and data security. By prioritizing user needs and preferences, focusing on core functionality, offering flexibility, and ensuring data privacy, Billhub was able to create an intuitive and user-friendly app. These takeaways provide valuable insights for future app development, emphasizing the significance of putting users at the center of the design process to deliver a superior user experience.