Income Energy.
THE PROBLEM
How can we get landlords or their agents (e.g. real estate agents, tax accountants, financial brokers, property managers) to register their interest on us and our business offering?
BACKGROUND
Income energy is a business that helps commercial landlords or their agents implement solar panels into their properties
As the project is in its infancy, the focus should be based around the first stage of the customer journey.
MY ROLE
UI Design
Research
TOOLS USED
Axure RP
Photoshop
Marvel
RESEARCH.
UNDERSTANDING THE INCOME ENERGY WEBSITE (Usability test)


Trust not established
Colour scheme & logo disliked
It's like they're trying to steal my information
- TESTER SIX
The colour scheme was too harsh, the logo was disliked, and was seen as dated. The contrast between the black and grey was hard for some people to read.
The website asked for contacts details without establishing trust. To establish trust, more information was needed on the website.
They have all this green around the website, but I can’t see one mention of the environment
- TESTER THREE
Solar Power Motivations (Interviews)
+
-
Good investment
Easy to install & manage
Financial benefit
Environmental gains
Savings from electricity bills
Improves green credentials
Only tenants get benefits
Cost of repairing
No value added
No Government rebates
Negative reports from media
Initial Costs
VALIDATING THE RESULTS (Survey results)
Participants cared more about financial gains instead of the environment
However, they were unsure of what the tangible financial benefits commercial solar power would be
They understand the benefits to the environment but are indifferent to the them
Aim: Discover the dynamic between tenant and the landlord.
Participants did not have much influence over their tenants
Similar to landlords, they understand the benefits to the environment but are indifferent to the them
Aim: Discover the dynamic between advisor and the landlord.
Participants believed they did have an influence on their landlords
Advisors are the most likely to consider the benefits to the environment
LANDLORDS
TENANTS
ADVISORS
MEET corporate colin (Primary Persona)

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION HE NEEDS
Installation fees - upfront costs
Maintenance cost
Solar calculator
Case studies
Payment plans
TOP REASONS FOR INVESTING
Financial benefits - eg. payback
Appealing to tenants
Good long term investment
"just tell me the facts"
ABOUT
Colin is a 62 year old CIO and respected professional in his banking company.
He has spent his entire life climbing the corporate ladder.
He works long hours and is incredibly busy and time-poor.
As a result of his hard work, he owns 2 commercial investment properties.
VISUAL DESIGN.
The first iteration was primarily focused on testing the information architecture.
Participants found the information architecture was clear, understandable and logical.
Some of these participants had already seen the previous website and found it to be an improvement
From doing usability tests, and feedback from our client, we went with design number 2
This is because it fitted with the overall theme of Income energy
HOW THE DESIGN EVOLVED (Prototype Iteration)



corporate colin, from persona to prototype (Prototype iteration)
Creating a mobile responsive website (Prototype Iteration)




For our solution, it was important to create a mobile responsive website. This is because our target customers do often go mobile first, however when requesting a consultation, want more information
See how it works (Mobile Responsive Hi Fidelity Prototype - Axure)
Final thoughts from the key stakeholder (Recommendation)

Here is how Corporate Colin the landlord would search through the income energy website

Limited knowledge in solar options
Top 3 reasons people invest in solar
- Financial benefits
- Appealing to tenants
- Good long term investment
Content
- Installation fees
- Payment plans
- Maintenance costs
- Case studies
- Free consultation
- Value added to the property
- How solar works
- Contact details
Must Features
x - Solar Calcular
- Payment plans
+ Data visualisation
+ Contact details
+ Request for a callback
- Plans (options)
+ FAQ
Information he wants to know
- Installation fees (upfront costs)
- Maintenance cost
- Solar Calculator
- Case studies
- Payment plans
FROM PERSONAS
TO PROTOTYPE
WIREFRAME TO TEST INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE AND LAYOUT
DESIGN IDEA ONE - A FULL REVAMP
DESIGN IDEA TWO - ECO COLOUR SCHEME
THE WINNER IS... DESIGN 2
This design focused on emulating the colours of the hero image. It did not reflect income energies original logo.
This design reflected income energies logo. The colour green is utilised as per client directive
WEBSITE
WEBSITE
MOBILE
MOBILE