Project: Home buddies

Home Buddies is an Australian online directory that specialises in listing businesses that provide services for homeowners and parents. It was created to help users search for, and easily find, quality home service professionals in their local area.

Project brief

Home Buddies wanted us to design and develop the website directory to house business listings and suitable search functionality to ensure users can find businesses in their local area.

Solution

Distance search

Users can search for 'buddies' (businesses) within a specific range of their chosen suburb, and in the category of their choice. These categories are managed by Home Buddies staff on the back-end.

Listings

Buddies can sign up for a listing in the directory. There is a basic free listing, or a priority paid listing. The priority listing gives the buddy a webpage with contact details, a contact form, and information about their business. In the sign-up process for the priority listing, the buddy can fill in their listing details, containing the information which will be used on their webpage. Payment for the priority listing is done online by credit card. Once registered, all listings appear instantly, and are monitored via the back-end by Home Buddies staff to ensure that they are genuine.

Users

Users of the website can register to obtain their own account. Once registered, they can login to their account and manage their details. They can give priority buddies a star rating, which will be displayed on their profile and on the search results. They can also apply for a background check on a buddy.

Background checks

After online credit card payment, users are given a download of the applicable forms to fill out and the application is continued offline.

Account management

After the initial registration, buddies have an account area where they can login and view components relating to them. Buddies can edit all of their account details and listing. They can also view any invoices applicable to their account.

e-newsletter

Users and buddies receive an e-newsletter which contains banner advertising and images. Home Buddies staff can assign images to articles in the e-newsletter.

Site redesign

Using bright colours to highlight individual sections and large action buttons makes the site simple and easy for anyone to use.

Results

Home Buddies have already had numerous buddies adding their listings to the directory. The website is practically self-managed because the listings are added automatically. This gives Home Buddies staff the ability to concentrate their efforts on the quality of their buddy database and the time to promote the website and gain new additions to their directory.

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