HouseHive
A New Standard in Online Floorplan Security
Integrating Account Verification and OTP for Enhanced User Privacy
Project type: Website Redesign with Enhanced Security Features
Role: UX/UI designer
Industry: Real Estate
Tools: Figma, Anima, Balsamiq
Duration: 8 + weeks
Introduction
The users
Adults aged 18-65 interested in online property listings and concerned about the security of their personal information.
The product
"HouseHive" emerged from an university module, where I was tasked with the end-to-end design and development of a prototype to enhance security in viewing online property floorplans.
Business Goal
The goal was to address the vulnerability in online property floor-plan visibility that could potentially aid burglaries. The objective was to develop a secure system that grants floorplan access without compromising user convenience and privacy. Additionally, the project aimed to address the common industry issue of ethical communication and design, ensuring users are not misled.
How can we enhance online security?
Ensuring Secure and User-Friendly Property Access
I conducted comprehensive surveys and research, comparing our platform to other real estate websites. My findings revealed a substantial demand for enhanced security measures while maintaining user convenience. Users expressed concerns over the ease of access to detailed floor-plans without sufficient verification, which could potentially lead to security breaches.
THE PROPOSED SOLUTION
The outcome of "HouseHive" was a user-centred platform that reinforced data privacy and security protocols. Key implementations included a streamlined user registration process, OTP (One-Time Password) authentication, and clearly articulated privacy policies and terms of use. These critical documents were concisely written in plain language with highlighted key sections to ensure ease of understanding and transparency.
To further increase user’s trust in the platform, I created a design that prioritized ethical communication, presenting information honestly and avoiding misleading content or dark patterns. Essential property details, including tenancy information, were made readily accessible, maintaining a balance between openness and necessary content gating for security.
Wireframe of the home page on the left, of the restriction to floor-plans on the middle and of search bar results on the right
Let’s see if the changes worked!
The HouseHive project provided many valuable lessons, both in terms of skills and problem-solving. One significant challenge was the initial complexity of the verification process, which users found too lengthy. To address this, I streamlined the verification steps, reducing the number of required actions while maintaining security integrity. This adjustment improved the user experience significantly.
I also learned the importance of clear and transparent communication.
High-Fidelity Prototypes of the wireframes shown above: home page, restriction to floor-plans, search bar results & of the sign-up page
User testing revealed several positive outcomes from the redesign. The streamlined OTP authentication process significantly improved the sense of security among users, and the clear privacy policies increased their trust in the platform. Users found the interface intuitive and appreciated the transparency in how their data would be handled. The changes resulted in smoother navigation, higher satisfaction rates, and a noticeable increase in user engagement.