As one of the most frequently used features of the Balanced dashboard, marketplaces rely on the search functionality to quickly locate transactions and troubleshoot payment problems. Customers complained of slowness and the inability to locate the information they needed.
To assess the problem, I analyzed the usage behavior of the top 20 dashboard users from Mixpanel and compiled a list of the search queries performed, mapping them to their corresponding field values. I conducted feedback sessions with select customers to gain a better understanding of their workflow. Learning their motivations for using search became the directive behind every subsequent design decision.
The user flow needed to capture the customer journey from entering a keyword to arriving at their final page destination. Beyond improving the functionality, I wanted to elevate the hierarchy of the search interface as a central feature of the dashboard.
Improvements to the dashboard included support for compound strings, a reconfigured list of results type from a horizontal to vertical layout for scalability, a full-page search results view, and the addition of shortcuts and helper text for greater accessibility. Common search queries also informed the types of information to display in the table.
