GOAL
After Alaska, Texas is the second largest state in the United States with 4 major cities that is growing every single day. Texstar Biz was proposed because more and more people residing in Texas are growing frustrated for not being able find places of importance to them on major search engines.
The goal of my user research was to determine the % of people (living in Texas) who searched for businesses, local entertainment and hard to find artisans/craftsman online. Basically, it would help determine if a site like TexStar Biz would be an added tool that went beyond what major search engines like Google could offer by creating a local culturally enriching experience for visitors. Was this something people wanted, was the major question that needed to be answered.
The research demonstrated a need for consumers to look beyond large platforms like Google, Bing and Yahoo for specific businesses places and things unique to their cities.
Over 75% said they could not find what they were looking for while using Google’s search engine.
RESULT
The research demonstrated a need for consumers to look beyond large platforms like Google, Bing and Yahoo for specific businesses places and things unique to their cities.
Over 75% of the respondents noted a experience when they could not find what they were looking for while using Google’s search engine. Nearly 40% said when they couldn’t find what they were looking for, they left the search engine all together and sought other means to find an appropriate match.
Surveyees were asked to name the most used listings or in other words things that were most important for TexStar Biz to list
SUMMARY
Through user research we learned that people want more than a business directory. Since the majority of our respondents already use Google, Texstarbiz has to offer something different, unique, or an added value. People want a searching tool that will give tap into their local communities. They want to find local restaurants that might be off the radar in normal searches, sustainability is important to most of them. Farmers’ markets were high on the list. Supporting local small businesses was important to them.
It’s important that Texstarbiz offers potential visitors a Texas look and feel. The site has resonate with Texans. It can’t be the run of the mills business directory.
