Optimizing property browsing and agent sign-up: A Nobul case study
Nobul is a Toronto based startup that provides customers–looking to sell or buy a home–transparency and a marketplace enabling them to take control of their real estate journey.
Nobul aimed to simplify and modernize the real estate process by improving user interactions on their platform. As a Product Designer, I worked alongside a cross-functional team to redesign key features like property search and the agent sign-up process, improving user engagement and overall platform usability.
IMPACT - PROPERTY BROWSE
IMPACT - AGENT ONBOARDING PROCESS
COLLABORATION
OUTCOME
Nobul was facing a clear challenge: users were dropping off during the property search process due to confusing filters, slow load times, and a cluttered interface. The initial goal was to address these pain points and improve the browsing experience to increase user retention, reduce bounce rates, and drive more meaningful engagement.
Goals at a glance
By conduction extensive user interviews and surveys of over 40 users with a working prototype we had enough qualitative data to see and understand patterns. We looked at identifying the root cause of users frustrations by mapping out user journies and asking clarity based questions.
Through user survey we discovered:
of users reported confusion when trying to apply filters.
of users admitted they didn’t even use filters because they were too difficult to understand.
of users left the platform after waiting longer than 5 seconds for pages to load.
of users abandoned their search within the first 2 minutes due to difficulty navigating the site.
Survey data and behavioural map
By combining the filters with the property grid view we were able to remove all other cognitive load and place more prominence to the browse experience. The filters applied then show up as dismissible labels that the user to clear out. The filter panel was also reworked to place the most used elements at the top.
By repositioning the filters to the left and keeping the map visible on the right, users experienced a more seamless browsing flow. This change not only improved navigation but also encouraged users to explore the platform more thoroughly. Additionally, the introduction of cash-back incentives created a sense of urgency and boosted user engagement, leading to noticeable improvements across the platform.
Nobul faced a significant issue: many agents dropped out during the sign-up process, citing confusion, lack of clarity, and excessive steps. Our goal was to simplify this journey and ensure agents could easily and confidently join the platform.
Goals at a glance
The agent onboarding process had several friction points, causing confusion and frustration for new users. By focusing on user feedback, we identified critical areas that needed improvement.
There was a lack of understanding due to insufficient metrics and tracking.
The sign-up process was perceived as confusing and tedious.
Many agents dropped off during the process, exiting before completion.
Lack of clear guidance throughout the process.
Overwhelming number of steps and information fields.
Unclear communication of the benefits of completing the sign-up.
Addressing the issues in the agent sign-up process involved thoughtful planning and targeted improvements based on user feedback and industry insights.
To address these challenges, we followed a structured approach:
To tackle the identified pain points, we implemented targeted solutions designed to enhance usability and streamline both the property browsing and agent onboarding experiences.
