Yoga Studio App
A yoga studio app for locating a studio & booking classes
About The Project
Source: graduate student project
Scope: concept through prototype
Project Time: 10 weeks
Project Strategy
The strategy included defining the goals of the project based on the needs of the yoga studio & establishing a project timeline. Next, industry & user research was conducted. Finally, the details of the user experience and app features were created.
The Challenge
Common user complaints about group fitness booking apps or websites:
functionality
usability
difficulty connecting with the studio in real time
The Solutions
Functionality: identify & provide essential needs for new & returning attendees upfront within the app
Usability: create a simplified booking process that highlights the most important information
Customer experience: provide ways for users to get answers to FAQs & the ability to connect with someone at their studio
About the Studio
Location
The Short North Arts District of Columbus, Ohio
Studio info
Offers multiple classes & styles daily including in-person & virtual attendance options. Offers teacher training courses.
Studio mission
Provide high-quality instruction & build a strong community through fostering connections during & beyond classes.
Studio goals
Increase class attendance & studio offerings
Partner with local businesses to create & host events
Capitalize on the use of an app to improve short &
long term operational goals
Competitive Lanscape
Industry insights for the top apps and software
ClassPass
Google Play App Store rating 2.9, most users rate it either a 5 or a 1
Provides all necessary information, however, can be busy and overwhelming visually because of the amount of information displayed.
The scheduling view is very intuitive and has an easy vertical scroll functionality.
Zen Planner
Google Play App Store rating 4.6
Has robust functionality for studio owners. Client interface is visually outdated & the calendar views are not intuitive and could be more responsive.
MindBody
Google Play App Store rating 3.5
Clear differentiation between in person & at-home workout class options. Has a personal fitness tracking component within the app.
User Research
About the user
Users come to yoga for a variety of reasons or simply to try it out. Some common reasons are to improve overall well-being, reduce stress, & cultivate a sense of spirituality. As a result, users want an app that will help them find and book classes easily.
Users are looking for an interface that is simple to understand & navigate. An app of this type includes concise booking instructions & access to relevant information such as pricing options, class availability, & location details.
To keep track of their activity, users wants to see the upcoming classes that they've already booked and past classes they’ve completed. Users also want to mark certain classes & instructors as favorites, making it easier to find and book them in the future.
Lastly, users need clear instructions on how to cancel or reschedule a previously confirmed booking and receive refund information.
User Personas
Who is the user?
Name: Reese
Age: 33
Occupation: Software Engineer
Location: Columbus, OH
Bio: Reese is an experienced yoga student who has been practicing for the last 5 years. They have a strong passion for yoga and has devoted a lot of time and effort to his practice. Reese recently moved and is looking to join a new local yoga studio. Reese is looking for a studio that can continue to challenge and help with growth in their practice.
Goals: find a local yoga studio with a diverse range of class styles and skill level.
Needs: A studio that offers a mix of traditional and modern yoga practices, and that has experienced and knowledgeable teachers.
Challenges: being in a new city and does not yet know where to find the best yoga studios. They want to find a studio that is conveniently located and offers a range of classes that fit their schedule.
Traits: Reese is open-minded, adventurous, and passionate about yoga. They are always looking for new challenges. Reese is committed to their practice and is willing to put in the time and effort to find the right studio.
Name: Dakota
Age: 57
Occupation: Marketing
Location: Grandview Heights, OH
Bio: Dakota is a beginner yoga student who has been practicing yoga for the past year and is looking to change yoga studios. They want to find a place that offers more variety in style and class offerings. Dakota is really liking yoga and is considering taking yoga teacher training courses in the future.
Goals: find a studio that offers workshops and events that can help deepen their practice and knowledge of yoga.
Needs: Dakota is considering doing a yoga teacher training program and is looking for a studio that can offer guidance in this process.
Challenges: finding a yoga studio that is welcoming and inclusive to beginners who have an interest in developing a long term practice.
Traits: Dakota is excited to continue their yoga journey and motivated to take the next steps in their practice. Dakota is a detail-oriented person, and is looking for a studio that can offer them a clear path towards their goal of becoming a yoga teacher.
Additional Features
App features beyond the class booking flow that benefit the studio & users.
Waitlist Management
When a class is full, the app allows users to join a waitlist
Teacher Profiles
Includes profiles of each teacher, including a photo, bio & link to the classes they teach
Notifications
Push notifications to users about upcoming classes they have registered for, changes to the class schedule, and other important updates dictated by the studio
Class Tracking & Notes
Keeps track of attendance or the user’s practice notes
Membership Management
Allows users to manage their studio memberships, including renewals, cancellations, and tracking remaining classes
User Stories
The needs & expectations of users
Joining as a member of the studio
Reese has taken several classes at the studio and would like to join as a member. They open the app to view membership pricing options. After reviewing the membership package options, Reese decides to go with the monthly unlimited plan and completes the payment process. Now that they are a monthly member, Reese can view and reserve spots in their preferred teacher's upcoming classes over the next two weeks.
Joining for a drop in class
Dakota has the afternoon off after a work meeting got canceled. They would like to use this time to do yoga classes. Dakota opens the app and starts a search for the nearest studio location. After locating the nearby studio, they search for the earliest upcoming class start times. Dakota successfully finds and books a class that starts in about an hour. They confirm the class and make a one-time payment for the drop-in class. Dakota receives a confirmation of payment and their spot in the class. They are shown a screen with the studio address and a prompt to open a map app to get directions.
Prototype
Prototype
View the prototype as a presentation
Project Conclusion
Although the experience created for users can continuously be improved, the results are in, and the app offers a user-centered interface, personalized experience, and seamless scheduling process. The app creates value for the user by showcasing online classes, upcoming events, social and community involvement, and options to get their questions answered. The app's FAQ sections are strategically placed throughout, and there are options to help users connect easily with someone at their local studio.
There were lots of lessons learned along the way while developing this app. A few of those included understanding the target audience and their experience, as well as continuous iteration and improvement. The research was beneficial, but more could be done to launch a successful design project like this app. Several iterations occurred during the interface design process, with significant improvements each time. The app will provide a positive user experience and get students excited about finding and attending their next yoga class.