SSENSE.com User Interface Johnny Luk johnnyluk666

SSENSE.com User Interface
Johnny Luk
[email protected]
I. Describe: Select a 'troubled' interface
"SSENSE is an international online retailer know for its directional selection over
150 brands...." Established in Montreal, SSENSE is now one of the top fifty fastest
expanding companies in Canada. The company passionately believes in technology,
innovation and style. By 2003, it has grown into a global destination for online luxury;
reached over more than two million visitors per month. The online shopping store covers
designer brands such as Diesel and Dr. Martens to high-end luxurious fashion such as
Givenchy, Versace and Saint Laurent.
No doubt, SSENSE.com is considered as one of the most lavish retailers online.
However, even for a company like this with millions of view per month, its onlineshopping interfaces have huge flaws.
1. Does not show real-time stock inventory:
2. Low responsiveness due server over flow
3. Unisex items do not always show up for both sexes
II. Analyze: Determine current functionality, users and their needs
1.
Compare to all the other online shopping retailers, SSENSE.com has a relatively
clean and unique interface. With tabs such as "MEN", "WOMEN" and "Search" on
the top corner, it is extremely easy to access for both sexes. Right after the tab is
clicked, the interfaces brings users to another page where they can have all the
designers listed on the left side. Large categories like "ACCESSORIES", "BAGS",
and "CLOTHING" are available on the top left corner which can be used to directly
guide users to the merchandises they are seeking for. Gigantic icons with name and
prices beneath will be displayed for users to click and then add to shopping bag for
check out.
2.
The current interface is designed for all customers who are interested in buying
designer brands but like to stay indoor with a cup of coffee or tea beside them.
Moreover, users who live in rural areas with difficulties to access local boutiques can
now have a better choice to purchase the clothing. The system impacts the customers
by giving them the chances to buy the items they want at anytime, at anywhere (with
internet connection of course).
3.
The first constraint is that the website itself can only handle a limited amount of
people browsing at the same time. During the beginning of a promotional sale,
SSENSE.com sends out emails and advertisements across the internet to invite new or
loyal customers. However, due to the popular demands, the users will experience
unbearable about of low responsiveness due to the cause of the server reaches or
exceeds the traffic limitation. The second constraint is an issue which many online
retailers are facing, the inventory inaccuracy. When an item got checked out and paid
in full with credit cards or PayPal, the system cannot respond fast enough which
triggers "disappoint events" where many customers pay for items that are actually not
in stock anymore.
4.
Based on the textbook chapter one, lectures notes and because this is an online
shopping site for customers, the most important usability goals are:
 effective to use
 easy to learn
 productivity
 high user satisfaction
 memo ability
5.

How fast can the user locate the designer brand he or she wants?


o All the designer names will be on the left side in alphabetical order. An
user just have to find the name and click it. The process should take less
than 10 seconds.
Does the website show vivid pictures, sizing information, and shipping cost?
o Each product has 3 to 5 clearly taken images for viewing. All the sizing
information is available in cm and inch. Shipping cost may vary
depending on customers' location but they are clearly described.
Can a customer browse the specific item he or she is looking for?
o The search tab on the top of the interface can easily locate the item.
6.



Does not show real-time inventory
o This is a problem many online retailers cannot do well on. Due to the
gigantic inventories they carry, stocks information that is showing
online are not always true.
Low responsiveness due server over flow
o The concept is very simple. Too much request and the server itself just
cannot handle it. Customers experience painfully slow network
response time or sometimes even web-page shut down errors.
Unisex items do not always show up for both sexes
o It is easy to locate the items for MEN and WOMEN on SSENSE.com.
On the other hand, with a clear description that says "UNISEX" for an
item sometimes only show up on men's side or vice versa.
III. Design Goals and Evaluation: Propose design solutions to the problems you've
identified
1.
The first problem that needs to be solved is to make the stock inventory and the
check out process dynamically. It is not difficult to build such a system. Nevertheless,
online retailers seem to never figure out a way to conquer this issue. They make up
excuses by replying "the inventories are too monstrous to manage". An important
idea to keep in mind while building a large website like SSENSE.com is that it will
have huge inventories. Companies with deep pockets should never use this as an
excuse for their notorious inventory system. From a computer engineer perspective,
all the person needs to do is creating counters that keep tracks of items. Every time an
item is checked out or refunded, the counter decreases or increases the number
accordingly. The customers should never receive apologizing emails three days later
saying the items are out of stock!
Second problem that SSENSE.com is facing is server low responsiveness. For a
company like this, it wants and needs to create high customers' satisfaction.
Especially since the company has been around for a while, it can make a good
estimation on the number of browsing requests it will get during promotional sales.
SSENSE.com just have to rent more servers on that period of time to handle those
requests. Problem is not hard to solve but it seems the company just does not want to
pay the extra money.
Last problem which the website is facing is unisex items do not show up for both
sexes. Many time, both sexes only look at their own gender unless they are buying a
gift. Because an unisex item only shows up on the women's side or vice versa, it
misses the chance to be bought by the other gender. SSENSE.com can create a new
tab called "UNISEX" or just let an IT technician simply put the items up on both
gender side. This is tedious but effective.
2.
Since SSENSE.com is a huge a online retailer including thousands of inventories,
it could be exceptionally expensive to change anything related to its interface.
Modification needs to be done at many different levels in order to solve minor
problems. Among all the issues, the cheapest one could be renting more servers.
Since the promotional sales on the site does not last a long time, it needs servers to
handle large requests but renting for a relatively short period amount of time. Prices
should be no more than $10,000. Adding new functions for improve the interface
itself can easily cost more than $100,000 based on the interface that was designed in
the first place. As an engineer, we all know that the cost exponentially increases at the
later stages.
EECE418 Assignment 1: Self Assessment Report Name: Student #: Date: Note: each element must have a justification; otherwise it will be assumed Strongly disagree. If additional space is needed for a justification, use a separate page and label justification with the Assessment. Assessment 1. Title page includes all elements. 1 = Strongly disagree; 2 = Disagree; 3 = Neutral; 4 = Agree; 5 = Strongly Agree n/a = Not applicable. O
1 2 3 4 5 n/a Justification: Yes, did everything as required.
2. The primary functionality of the interface is described well. Justification: The user functionality is well-described.
3. How each function is accessed is described clearly. Justification: A
relatively easy to access interface,
it is well described
1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 1 4. Justification: Yes, customers who interested in
buying designer goods
5. 1 2 3 4 5 O n/a All the relevant stakeholders are identified. The impact of the interface on each stakeholder is described well. Justification: Give different customers different
choices
6. The functional requirements from the users’ point of view are identified well. 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a Justification: Yes,
everything is covered
7. The non functional requirements from the 1 2 3 4 5 n/a O
users’ point of view are identified well. Justification: It
has been mentioned
8. Constraints on the system related to the user experience are clearly described. 1 2 3 4 5 O n/a Justification: Very clearly described, examples are given
9. The list of usability and user experience 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a goals is clearly articulated. Justification: All chosen as required
2 10. Justification: 11. Justification: 12. Justification: 13. Justification: 14. The priorities assigned to the items in the list of usability/user experience goals are well justified. Yes, they are well justified.
From the prioritized list of goals, three main usability and user experience questions are identified. Yes, questions are made regarding to
them.
For each usability and user experience question identified, the performance of the current system is well analysed and documented. Yes, everything is covered.
The list of goals have objectifable measures for evaluating the user interface. Yes,
goals have measures.
Three significant problems with the interface have been identified. Justification: Well listed.
15. All the problems identified are related to the user experience. Justification: Yes, users experience those issues.
1 2 3 O
4 5 n/a 1 2 3 O
4 5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 3 16. Justification: This can be trivial.
17. None of the problems identified are “nice to have” features. they are essential.
Justification: No,
18. Three possible solutions are clearly identified. Justification: Answers
are given.
19. For each problem, the solution presented is well thought out and described how it solves the problem. Justification: Yes, everything is planned.
20. The budget captures the main costs associated with each solution. Justification: Yes, the budget is concerned.
21. The budget doesn’t miss any obvious costs. Justification: It is a network interface, so servers
and fees to hire programers are the
obvious ones.
1 2 O3 4 5 n/a None of the problems identified are technical issues. 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 4 22. 1 2 3 4 O5 n/a The budget doesn’t have any irrelevant costs. Justification: No, everything is needed.
23. The figures in the budget are well justified from reliable sources. 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a Justification: No, it is hard to find reliable sources. 24. The presentation of the report is easy to read. Justification: Yes, presentation is divided into
sections.
25. There are no grammar or spelling errors in the report. Justification: No, the writing is checked
26. Material over the recommended 3 pages (i.e. appendices, tables, figures, text) is well justified. Justification: Yes, as required.
1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O 5 n/a 1 2 3 4 O
5 n/a Comments: 5 6