SPLITWISE REDESIGN

A complete Splitwise redesign focused on providing users with an improved platform for seamless expense management and greater control over group activities.

PROJECT CONCEPT

In this personal project, I'm determined to make Splitwise more intuitive and user-friendly, driven by valuable feedback and reviews. The goal is to simplify shared expenses and streamline the app's functionality to make it a trusted ally for users everywhere.

Role: UX Researcher

UX Designer

Project Designer

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS SPLITWISE?

Splitwise is a user-friendly app that simplifies splitting expenses with friends and family. It's a go-to solution for organizing group expenses, from everyday bills to memorable trips. Splitwise's mission is to reduce the stress and awkwardness that money can introduce into our important relationships.

WHY CHOOSE SPLITWISE?

I've used Splitwise extensively, gaining valuable insights into its pros and cons. While it's a user-friendly tool that simplifies expense sharing, it doesn't consistently receive top ratings. Surprisingly, despite lower ratings compared to other financial apps.

Many users encounter similar issues with Splitwise, leading to harsh reviews. This signals a strong demand for a better solution that goes beyond just improving the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). It underscores the app's wide utility and potential for refinement.

WHAT’S MY ROLE?

In my role, I assume full ownership of the product design process, spanning User Research, User Experience, and Product Design. My approach goes beyond interface redesign, encompassing a comprehensive reevaluation of the entire product to enhance the overall user experience. I prioritize achieving substantial improvements with minimal changes, aiming to maximize the positive impact on users.

DATA COLLECTION

To gain valuable insights into the user experience of Splitwise, I conducted thorough data collection by analyzing user reviews on both the Android app and Apple Store platforms. This comprehensive data collection effort involved sifting through user comments to identify recurring themes and feedback that highlight the app's strengths and areas that need improvement.

RESEARCH

Reviews on Apple Store

Reviews on Google Play

PROBLEM STATEMENT

From the data collected through user reviews, three clear problem statements emerge.

  1. Non-Intuitive Navigation and Interface

    Users find the app's interface and navigation non-intuitive, making it challenging to efficiently manage expenses

  2. Difficulty in Finding Itemized Transactions

    Users struggle to locate itemized transactions within the app, which hampers their ability to review detailed expense records.

  3. Streamlining "New Expense" and "Settle Up"

    Users express the need for a more efficient and user-friendly method to quickly "Add Expense", "settle up" and clear balances.

How might we enhance app navigation for users

to easily add expenses, check their transaction history, and efficiently settle balances?

SIMPLIFY

In reevaluating Splitwise's information architecture, we've identified areas in need of improvement. The current system can be confusing when adding a “New Expense”, particularly concerning the payer, payee, and split options. The "Settle Up" function is somewhat hidden within a menu, and a "Group Activities" function is notably absent. To enhance the user experience, our revised information architecture prioritizes visibility, structuring key features logically to streamline expense management and user interactions.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE (IA)

Current IA

Revised IA

NEW EXPENSE

In the New Expense flow, I am focused on simplifying the process of adding a new expense. The primary goal here is to ensure that users can effortlessly input essential details such as the payer, payee, and split options without confusion. By streamlining this process, I aim to provide a clear and user-friendly experience for users when sharing expenses with their groups.

LOW-FIDELITY DESIGN

SETTLE UP

Within the Settle Up flow, my primary objective is to make settling balances straightforward and readily accessible. I'm working to ensure that users can efficiently clear their debts without having to navigate through complicated menus. This streamlined approach allows users to manage their financial balances in a hassle-free manner.

GROUP ACTIVITIES

The Group Activities flow focuses on introducing a new feature to track and manage the financial history of a group. In this process, I aim to create a dedicated space where users can conveniently view all activities within their group, including transactions, expenses, and any changes made to the group. The goal is to provide a centralized and organized hub for users to stay informed about their group's financial interactions.

To be continued…