Improving Local SEO and Review Management for Home Service Professionals

Project Overview

Map App is a mobile application tailored for home service professionals such as plumbers, electricians, and roofers, designed to streamline the process of collecting reviews and managing project documentation with integrated location tagging.

The app facilitates the direct posting of reviews to Google My Business, enhancing local SEO and online visibility for these professionals.

Challenge

The primary challenge was to develop a user-friendly app that simplifies the review process for customers while providing robust tools for professionals to document and manage their projects.

The app needed to integrate seamlessly with Google My Business to ensure that reviews could enhance local SEO effectively.

Project Goals

• Create a seamless interface for professionals to capture and upload project details and images directly from their job sites.
• Enable precise location tagging to ensure accurate representation on Google Maps.
• Simplify the review solicitation process by generating shareable links and QR codes that customers can easily access to leave feedback.

User and Business Requirements

• Intuitive and accessible user interface that can be operated with one hand, allowing professionals to use the app in the field easily.
• Secure and reliable image uploading and storage capabilities.
• Efficient integration with Google My Business for immediate update of reviews and business information.

Process and Methodology

Research

Conducted interviews with home service professionals to understand their workflow and the challenges they face in collecting and managing reviews.

Wireframes and Prototypes

Developed initial wireframes focusing on ease of use and minimal navigation steps, followed by interactive prototypes tested in real-world scenarios to ensure functionality and efficiency.

Visual Design

Opted for a clean, straightforward design that emphasizes usability. The design incorporates large buttons and clear text to facilitate quick interactions, suitable for users who may be on-site and possibly wearing work gloves.

Implemented Solution

Overview

Map App features a dual-interface system that allows for switching between capturing project details and managing project reviews.

Users can take pictures, enter descriptions, and tag locations directly within the app.

Each project can generate a unique QR code and link for review submission, making it easier for customers to provide feedback directly on Google My Business.

Reflections on the Design Process

This project demonstrated the importance of user-centered design in creating tools that not only fulfill a practical need but also integrate smoothly into the daily operations of professionals.

The feedback loop was crucial in refining the app’s features to ensure they truly meet the users' needs.