Landmark Search Experience: Research and Exploration
Housing
This research project focused on enhancing the landmark search feature for Housing.com, an online real-estate platform. The goal was to understand how landmarks influence rental property searches and user decision-making. An initial experiment showed promise with increased conversions through landmark utilization, leading to a deeper investigation into user behavior and preferences around landmark-based property discovery.
What I did
Conducted comprehensive research incorporating multiple methodologies:
Performed user interviews to understand landmark preferences and search behavior
Analyzed user analytics data to identify patterns in landmark-based searches
Reviewed user recordings to observe actual search interactions and decision-making processes
Ran usability testing sessions to validate assumptions about landmark importance
Synthesized findings to determine how landmarks influence property selection relative to other factors (property type, amenities, etc.)
Investigated the relationship between time and distance as factors in landmark relevance
Results
Confirmed that landmarks play a significant role in user decision-making, though they are secondary to primary factors like property type and amenities
Discovered that users prioritize time-based proximity to landmarks over distance metrics
Generated actionable insights intended to improve the landmark search experience on the platform
Identified key usability considerations for future feature development
Despite time constraints and testing limitations during the research phase, the findings provided a solid foundation for enhancing the property search experience
