My Role
As a product design lead for this Dracula Dark-mode WordPress plugin, I was included:
- Conducting user research to identify pain points and user needs.
- Understanding the market value based on Competitor analysis.
- Creating wireframes and prototypes to test the design concepts.
- Leading the visual design efforts to create a cohesive and user-friendly interface.
- Collaborating with the development team to ensure that the design and functionality of the plugin are aligned with the user’s needs and the company’s goals.
- Shared funny marketing ideas with the marketing team to promote the plugin uniquely and memorably.
The Design Process I followed
I followed a combination of Lean UX and Design Thinking processes. Combining these two approaches, I was able to create a design solution that was not only user-friendly and efficient but also met the core needs of the Dark mode Users. The MVP was quickly developed using Lean UX, and the Design Thinking process was applied to ensure the Dark mode Plugin met the user’s needs and solved the problem effectively.
Target audience
The target audience for the Dracula Dark Mode WordPress plugin includes WordPress website owners, Web designers, and WordPress developers who want to enhance the user experience of their website by offering a dark mode option.
Also, who would like to enable the dark mode option on their website with just a few clicks, without the need for any coding knowledge using this WordPress plugin.
User Stories
From the above analysis of users’ stories, the following information came out. I’ve tried to gather and analyze the many user stories related to the Dark Mode website. The user stories I have gathered and analyzed show that users of all types, including website owners, developers, and designers, are interested in implementing Dark mode on their websites.
Importance and benefits of using dark mode on a website
Dark mode has become a popular trend in web design over the past few years,
and for good reason.
- Improves user experience by reducing eye strain and fatigue, particularly in low-light environments.
- Enhances accessibility for users with visual impairments or sensitivity to bright light.
- Provides a customizable option for users to switch between light and dark modes based on their preference or the time of day.
- Make website design look more modern and stylish.
User persona
Key Product Goals for Better User Experience
- Offer customization options to fit various design preferences.
- Enable easy installation and activation of the plugin for all WordPress users.
- Improve readability and reduce eye strain for users who prefer a darker interface.
- Enhance website performance and speed by optimizing the dark mode feature for efficient loading and operation.
- Provide a cost-effective solution for website owners seeking to improve user engagement and retention.
Competitor features analysis
Conducting a competitor features analysis allows me to identify what my competitors are offering and what features they lack. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of my competitors’ products, I can improve my own product’s features to better meet the needs of my target audience.
Discover Market Positioning for competitors by perceptual map.
I used a perceptual map to determine the market positioning of our competitors and then included our product on the map based on competitor analysis.
SWOT Analysis
Here is the SWOT analysis I conducted.
User flow based on the information I was noted
User Flow is a sequence of steps a user takes to complete a specific task, from the initial point of entry to the final goal.
Ideation and Sketching Phase
Starting with a rough sketch has become an integral part of my design process. I am always trying to go with a rough sketch before the final UI.
High-fidelity wireframe for Plugin Inside and Live Editor Widget
To validate design decisions and iterate over design ideas quickly, I started by creating high-fidelity mockups before moving on to final visuals. Additionally, I generated a Wireflow to effectively communicate design ideas with the development team.
Now time to move part of UI Design
Allow me to clarify the reasoning behind my decision to utilize the font and color scheme prior to making UI design choices.
Let’s play with the prototype
Sharing Social promotional Ideas with the Marketing team
As a product designer, I worked with the marketing team to create a meme an image of how to market our plugin on social media that can affect to remember on users’ mental minds of our product. We had a lot of fun during this time and everyone appreciated my marketing ideas.
key business challenges
- Ensuring adequate support and resources for troubleshooting and resolving any technical issues related to the dark mode feature.
- Developing and implementing effective pricing and monetization strategies.
- Effective marketing and promotion of the dark mode feature to reach and engage the target audience.
- Developing a comprehensive strategy for integrating and optimizing.
Challenge to succeed
Implementing effective pricing and monetization strategies for the dark mode plugin. This requires a thorough understanding of the target audience and their willingness to pay for the feature, as well as an understanding of market trends and competitor pricing. as well as an understanding of how to optimize the feature for maximum performance and usability.
Now time to show our product on the website
This is our landing page, as well as other pages, where users can learn about our features and take action to purchase premium versions. Check live view
Social Banner & Marketing asset
It’s an essential component of a successful digital marketing campaign. They include various visual elements such as images, videos, and graphics that are designed to capture the attention of our target audience and convey our brand’s message effectively.
Launch and results
The launch of Dracula Dark Mode on the WordPress plugin directory was a resounding success. Within just a few months of its launch, the plugin had been downloaded by over 460+ users and had an impressive 5-star positive rating. It also had 70+ active installations on version 1.0.0 alone
Here is a statistic of user activations and ratings. Date: 27 March 2023
The goal is always to get as many users as possible. However, it’s important to keep in mind that growth doesn’t always happen overnight. In fact, it’s much more common for products to experience a slow and steady increase in downloads and users over time.
We were thrilled to see that our competitor had purchased the premium version of our plugin and left a positive five-star review praising the user experience.
Future Improvements
- Improving compatibility with other plugins: One area for future improvement is improving the compatibility of the Dracula Dark Mode plugin with other WordPress plugins. This can help to enhance the user experience and reduce the risk of conflicts and technical issues.
- Enhancing customization options: By offering more customization options, users can tailor the plugin to their specific needs and preferences, increasing its value and appeal.
- Expanding platform support: Currently, the Dracula Dark Mode plugin is only available for WordPress. Expanding support to other platforms could help to increase the plugin’s reach and appeal to a wider audience.
Also, we have some more features in our roadmap. We will add it later.
Lessons Learned
- Always consider the market value and competition before finalizing the design to ensure it stands out in the market.
- Never assume that you fully understand the user’s needs and pain points without conducting thorough research.
- Testing the plugin extensively before releasing it to the public can help to identify and address potential issues early on, improving the user experience and reducing the likelihood of negative feedback.
- Effective marketing and promotion are crucial to the success of any plugin.
- By marketing strategy and leveraging a range of channels and tactics, developers can reach a wider audience.
Meet our talented team who worked closely with me on this project.
Our team is composed of highly skilled individuals who are passionate about creating exceptional products. Each member brings unique strengths and expertise to the project, from user research and design to development and testing. We believe in a collaborative approach, where everyone’s ideas and feedback are valued and incorporated into the final product.
Israil Ahmed Prince ( Sr. Software Engineer )
Akash Ahmed ( Frontend Developer )
Ashikur Rahman -Me- ( Product Design lead )
Naziur Rahaman ( Digital Marketing Executive )
