The main objective of Otog (https://www.otog.io), a new kind of social app, is to improve customer satisfaction with online shopping. Therefore, we aim to understand the problem that customers currently face when shopping online. Your perspective will be fundamental in improving our social app.
The questions I would ask to identify users, customers, problems are:
Problem identification
- How has been your experience with the online shopping and social apps?
- Do you frequently use online shopping applications such as Instagram or other social apps for product Discovery?
- Which challenges have you encountered when trying to look for social apps to buy products? Please elaborate more on the challenges.
Identifying users
- Demographics: From your perspective, which population do you think would be most interested in a social app online shopping and social platform? Which age group or user demographic do you think such a platform would be most suited for?
- Would you please identify a scenario in which someone can find you a product interested in all social media platform. In such a case, how would you proceed to purchase such a product as an online buyer?
Customer identification
- Considering your experience online shopping, would you prefer a platform that combines social experience with product purchase? please describe what features you would want to be included in such platform?
- Based on your experience with online shopping, what features would you prefer to be included in and online social app?
Closing
- Would you like to add any perspective on the concept of social commercial app similar to the one we have just discussed? We would appreciate your concerns, suggestion on insights.
- Thank you for sharing your opinion and perspective concerning our new social app. We highly appreciate your input and we shall consider your opinion in shaping our new venture. We might also reach of the future when we develop our new venture further. With your consent, we would wish to continue engaging you in this conversation.
Now that I have the questions, based on these I will find the persona, tag responses to respective personas and get partcipant’s answers
Conducting Interviews
| Participant | Interview Questions | Participant’s Answers |
| Persona 1 | 1. Can you describe your online shopping habits? 2. What factors influence your purchasing decisions? 3. How do you discover new products online?4. Do you follow any brands or influencers on social media for shopping recommendations? 5. Would you be interested in an app that shows you products based on your interests and allows you to buy them directly? | 1. I shop online frequently for convenience. 2. I consider reviews, prices, and product descriptions. 3. Usually through ads and social media. 4. Yes, I follow a few influencers for fashion advice. 5. Yes, that sounds like a helpful app. |
| Persona 2 | 1. Tell me about your experience with online shopping. 2. Do you often come across products you like but don’t end up buying? 3. How do you usually keep track of products you’re interested in? 4. Are personalized recommendations appealing to you? 5. What features would you expect in an app designed to showcase and sell products you find interesting? | 1. I enjoy online shopping and explore various platforms. 2. Yes, happens frequently. 3. I bookmark them or add to wish lists. 4. Definitely, I like curated suggestions. 5. An easy way to save products, user reviews, seamless purchasing, and integration with social media for sharing finds. |
| Persona 3 | 1. Have you ever made a purchase based on social media posts? 2. What challenges do you face when trying to buy products from social media? 3. How comfortable are you with sharing your preferences with an app? 4. Would you prefer a seamless in-app purchasing option? 5. Are there any concerns you have about an app suggesting and selling products to you? | 1. Yes, I’ve bought items I saw on Instagram. 2. Finding the exact product and secure payment. 3. I’m okay if it improves my experience. 4. Definitely, it saves time. 5. Privacy and accurate recommendations matter; I don’t want to be bombarded with ads. |
| Persona 4 | 1. What motivates you to explore new products online? 2. How do you currently manage your online shopping wish lists? 3. Do you engage with ads or sponsored content on social media? 4. Would you be open to a gamified shopping experience within the app? 5. How much importance do you place on user reviews before making a purchase decision? | 1. Curiosity and unique items. 2. I use browser bookmarks. 3. Sometimes, if it aligns with my interests. 4. Yes, it sounds fun and different. 5. Very important, they guide my choices. |
| Persona 5 | 1. Do you consider yourself an impulsive online shopper or a cautious one? 2. How do you find out about the latest trends or products? 3. Are you loyal to certain brands? 4. What would make you trust product recommendations from an app? 5. Are there any specific pain points you face while trying to make a purchase online? | 1. I’m cautious and read a lot of reviews. 2. social media, blogs, and forums. 3. Not particularly, I focus on quality. 4. If it understands my preferences accurately. 5. Unclear product descriptions, unreliable sellers, and sometimes the checkout process is complicated. |
Developing persona
| Name: Alex – the internet enthusiast | Who are they?Alex is a 28-year-old, educated young man with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He works as a digital content creator, focusing on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. Alex has a keen focus on aesthetics and enjoys photography, writing, and creating engaging social media content. He has a good understanding of online trends and enjoy staying up-to-date with the latest fashion and lifestyle products. |
| Why are they important?Alex is a user and influencer in the context of the problem. He plays a crucial role in shaping trends and influencing his followers’ preferences and choices. As someone who seeks out interesting and unique products to feature in his content, he can greatly impact the success and adoption of the new venture. | What are their needs?Alex needs an innovative approach to market his products to a new customer base. He needs a constant stream of fresh and unique products that align with their personal brand and interests. A game-changer for Alex would be a platform that not only connects them with interesting products but also make the process of discovering, purchasing, and featuring those products seamless and enjoyable. |
| What is their population?Alex represents a growing population of digital content creators, influencers, and trendsetters who have a significant presence on social media platforms. This population is continually expanding as more individuals aspire to become influencers and share their passions online. | How can you build a trusting relationshipBy leveraging on social platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, it is possible to engage with Alex and also connect with his audience. Building a relationship with him involves understanding his content style, needs and preferences. Engaging with them through direct messages, comments, and collaborations can help establish trust and rapport. Providing them with an easy-to-use platform that offers a wide range of curated products could further strengthen the relationship. |
Rationale for addressing this persona
Alex is 28 years individuals who is an internet enthusiast and also needs to leverage on internet for product marketing and purchase. Based on the unique characteristics of each persona, Alex is the most suitable individual due to his orientation to digital marketing. He also has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and thus, would be better positioned to understand online marketing trends. The chosen persona is also important for this case as he is economically stable and just in his early days in employment. He thus has acritical role in shaping the trends and influences of his followers. Considering that he is looking for a unique approach to feature in his content, he can provide a good platform for the adopting of the new venture. Therefore, choosing Alex over other personas would be imperative to leverage on his marketing skills and influence the product development and adoption.