Major Product Design Refactor of Actus Go: A Collaboration with Dragon’s Bootcamp

At Dragon’s Bootcamp, we’re always thrilled to partner with innovative companies, and our recent collaboration with Actus Go was no exception. Over the span of just 7 days and 4 intensive meetings with Actus Go representatives, our technical team—led by Hayam and Abanoub—successfully refined the design of the entire product. This partnership allowed us to bring fresh perspectives and enhancements that not only improved usability but also aligned the design with the ambitious goals of Actus Go.

The Challenge: A Complex Product

Actus Go is a multifaceted project, combining the core functionalities of a marketplace, maps integration, and a social platform. On top of that, the elements within the map are completely unique to Actus Go, presenting both design and development challenges. We had to ensure these features were seamlessly integrated without compromising the overall user experience.

The Thinking Process and Research

Our design process was centered around usability and user adaptability, keeping in mind that Actus Go would primarily be used in mobile view. Given the complexity of features, we opted for a web app version to allow fast feature rollouts and testing for the MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

Key features like e-commerce functionality and a coupon system were integral to this early version. As we progressed, it became clear that the structure had to balance both functionality and user-friendliness, particularly on smaller screens.

Major Design Changes: The Sidebar

One of the major refactors was the introduction of a left-hand sidebar. Instead of sticking with a traditional top navigation bar, we chose a sidebar format inspired by Instagram’s layout. This aside view allows more space for the multiple tabs and screens that are needed across the app while also maintaining a clean, user-friendly look.

The compact design of the sidebar can be expanded for a more detailed view, giving users the flexibility to navigate as per their preference.

Play Mode: Simplifying Gamification

The technical team also introduced a Play Mode to enhance the app’s gamification functionality. Actus Go’s gamification features, such as coupon sharing and splitting, require direct communication with servers via sockets. By implementing Play Mode, we disabled this feature when it wasn’t needed, preventing unnecessary server communication and improving web performance.

This distinction made it clear to users when the gamification elements were active and in use. It streamlined the user experience, especially for those unfamiliar with more complex features.

Refined Mobile View

We placed a heavy emphasis on refining the mobile view. With the majority of users accessing Actus Go via mobile, it was crucial to ensure a smooth, adaptable experience. We restructured the bottom view for mobile, prioritizing important gamification elements and moving additional data into the user profile. This ensured a clutter-free mobile experience while still offering access to all necessary features.

The user profile now contains analysis and gamification insights, pushing users to play more and save money through the app, creating a win-win situation for both users and the platform.

A Full Redesign for the Marketplace

The marketplace section underwent a complete overhaul. Initially, it was empty, but with our redesign, it now boasts a top slider for ads, allowing local brands to push offers or announce soft-openings. We’ve also enabled category-based searches, which is critical for users who come to the platform with a specific goal in mind.

Moreover, the marketplace now includes a bulk purchase option. This feature benefits users by offering more savings and customizable packages. Premium users can create collections of their favorite coupons and even share them with friends for bulk purchases, driving user engagement and increasing overall revenue.

Product Search and Checkout

We also redesigned the search view and product details pages to give them a more modern, streamlined feel. No data was excluded from the previous design; instead, we enhanced the visuals to create a more user-friendly experience.

Finally, the checkout screens were also revamped to provide a clear summary of products selected from the marketplace, ensuring users had a frictionless shopping experience.

What’s Next for Actus Go?

This is just the beginning for Actus Go. As the product evolves, especially with the introduction of AI-driven recommendations, we’re confident the experience will continue to improve. Once the AI recommendation system is fully developed, we’ll feature it more prominently, ensuring users have the best possible suggestions tailored to their preferences.

At Dragon’s Bootcamp, we’re proud to have partnered with Actus Go on this major design refactor. The project reflects our commitment to delivering thoughtful, user-centric solutions, and we look forward to seeing how Actus Go continues to grow with these new changes.

Kudos to the Team!

A huge shoutout to Hayam and Abanoub for their hard work and dedication. Their impact on this project was immense, and we couldn’t be prouder of the results.

Stay tuned for more updates as Actus Go continues to evolve!