Enhancing Togetherall’s Community Engagement with Groups Feature

Introduction:

About Togetherall:

Togetherall is an online community designed to offer a safe and anonymous space where individuals can support one another to improve their mental health and overall well-being.

The Problem:

While Togetherall provided a broad platform for users to engage, many felt overwhelmed by the variety of topics. Users struggled to find relatable content and connect with others facing similar challenges. To address this, Togetherall aimed to encourage users to share and support within smaller, more specific communities called Groups.

My Role:

I joined the project after the initial concept phase. My task was to work in a cross-functional team to refine the idea, conduct extensive research, and implement a solution that would enhance user engagement through the introduction of Groups.

The Process:

🔍 🔍 1. Lean Research

At an early stage of the project, uncertainty surrounded the purpose and objectives of introducing Groups on the Togetherall platform. To gain clarity, I employed the Lean Research method, focusing on refining the hypothesis through targeted user testing.

Step 1: Identifying Key Assumptions: I outlined the fundamental assumptions behind the Groups feature, such as increased engagement within niche communities and improved user satisfaction with creation of Group and inviting like minded people to group.

Step 2: Conducting User Testing: I swiftly created a prototype from the outsourced version of Togetherall’s Groups feature, specifically tested with users who engage with Togetherall at least once a month and are well-acquainted with the platform’s services. By observing their interactions and collecting feedback, I aimed to validate or challenge the initial assumptions.

Step 3: Understanding User Preferences in Togetherall Community: To collect user input on preferred group types, I posted a survey on the Togetherall Community platform and utilized internal analytical tools to identify the most popular topics. Leveraging the platform’s feedback capabilities, we effectively gathered valuable insights from users.

Key Findings:

• Reluctance to Create Groups: Users are hesitant to create groups due to concerns about managing them effectively.
• Uncertainty in Inviting Members: Users are unsure how to invite others due to a lack of knowledge about potential members’ interests.
• Preference for Shared Interests: Users want to connect with like-minded individuals based on common interests and experiences.

💡🎨 2. Exploration and Decision-Making

• Curated Topics for a Gentle Start: We introduced Groups with 10 thoughtfully selected topics aligning with users’ popular interests.
• Safety Through Restricting User-Created Groups: To maintain anonymity and address uncertainty about member interests, users were not allowed to create their groups.
• Seamless User Experience: Groups were seamlessly integrated into the platform, guaranteeing a straightforward and hassle-free interaction for all users.

🧪🧪3. Prototyping and Testing:

I created prototypes and tested them with real users to gauge their interaction with the Groups feature. Feedback indicated a successful user experience, with 100% completion rates for joining Groups and posting within them.

🖥️ 💻4. Implementation:

I maintained regular communication with engineers, incorporating technical and business constraints throughout the design process. This collaborative effort yielded a streamlined solution, facilitating efficient production and thorough QA testing. The outcome was a high-quality product with minimized errors in the final stage.

• Structured Project Details: We utilized a Jira board to provide developers with comprehensive project information. The project was divided into smaller segments, with each Jira ticket containing detailed user stories and Figma links showcasing flows.
• Ensuring Design Consistency: Subsequently, new design elements were integrated into the Togetherall component library, ensuring uniformity across the platform and enhancing user experience.

Final Results:

• Increased Engagement: Fostering healthy interactions and support among members.
• Positive Responses: The introduction of Wellness-based Groups led to a surge in positive responses within 24 hours of launch.
• Improved Interaction: Lesser-visited user groups saw increased activity, enhancing interactions among niche user segments.

What’s Next & Key Takeaways:

Following the Groups launch, user feedback was collected, leading to the implementation of a promotional banner on the homepage. This solution significantly improved Group discoverability and participation rates.

📊 Key Takeaways:

• Boosted Engagement: Groups enhanced user engagement by 2x, promoting active participation.
• Higher Interaction: Comments on Group posts surpassed those on broader community posts, indicating increased user involvement.
• Effective Promotion: The homepage promo banner efficiently directed 2% users to Groups, resulting in a 90% traffic conversion rate and substantial interactions.

Conclusion:

The introduction of Groups on Togetherall not only addressed user concerns but also significantly increased user engagement and satisfaction. By focusing on user experience, seamless integration, and ongoing feedback analysis, Togetherall successfully transformed its platform, fostering a stronger sense of community among its users.