Location Based Connection & Social Media App

Introduction

At Buzzl, I led the design and development of a cutting-edge platform aimed at enhancing community engagement and connectivity. The Buzzl app leverages insights from comparative analyses of major social platforms to create a unique and cohesive community interaction experience tailored to local needs.

Problem Identification

Through comparative analyses of Reddit, Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp and other travel planning apps, along with leveraging my experience as a hackathon event coordinator, we identified a need for a more cohesive and engaging platform for community interaction. Existing social media platforms often failed to create meaningful connections within localized communities, leading to fragmented interactions and a lack of cohesive community engagement.

Objectives

1. Enhance Community Connectivity:

   Create a platform that encourages active participation and interaction within local communities. Develop features that facilitate meaningful connections and interactions among community members.

2. Facilitate Discussions:

   Create interactive forums for users to engage in discussions, share news, and connect with neighbors. Implement real-time notifications to keep users informed about local events, news, and alerts.

3. Promote Local Businesses:

   Integrate features that support and promote local businesses, enhancing their visibility and engagement with the community. Build a scalable platform capable of supporting growth and integrating with local services and businesses.

Approach

1. Comparative Analysis:

   We analyzed popular platforms like Reddit, Twitter, Foursquare, and Yelp to identify their strengths and weaknesses in community engagement. This informed our feature set and design decisions for Buzzl.

2. Leveraging Hackathon Experience:

   My experience as a hackathon event coordinator helped in understanding the dynamics of community interaction and engagement, which was crucial in shaping the app’s functionalities and user experience.

3. Scalability and Integration:

   We ensured that the app was built on a scalable platform, capable of handling the anticipated growth post-launch. We started fresh with a bespoke Figma design system utlizing Variables, Variants, and Styles and converted these to a Storybook code equivalent. Integration with local services and businesses was a key focus to enhance the utility and relevance of the app for users.

Key Features

1. Local Event & Business Listings:

   A comprehensive directory of local events and businesses, allowing users to discover and participate in community activities.

2. Community Forums:

   We leveraged the insights gained from our user research to create multiple prototypes of the program. These prototypes underwent rigorous testing within real-world settings, ensuring Porsche Passport was not only user-friendly but also seamlessly integrated with existing Porsche ID workflows.

3. Real-Time Notifications:

   Timely updates about local happenings, event reminders, and community alerts.

Outcome

Although the project metrics are limited at this stage, we successfully set up the Beta launch for 1,000 seats in the Columbus, OH area, with the public launch slated for July 2024. The Beta phase aims to gather user feedback and refine the app further before a wider release.

Business Impact

Setting up the Buzzl app for its Beta launch has positioned it as a promising platform for enhancing local community engagement. The initial feedback and enthusiasm from the Columbus area suggest a strong potential for growth and adoption in other regions post-Beta.

By focusing on a blend of comparative analysis, leveraging hackathon coordination experience, and integrating features that cater to local community needs, the Buzzl app is poised to become a pivotal tool for fostering community interaction and engagement.