The need to search
When do users need to search for content?
The Problem
RX is one of the largest global events organisers, operating in 22 countries.
Local business units had requested a global search function for the website – search functions were already present within directories, but RX needed to check with the end users to validate the need for a global search.
The Solution
I was hired to explore the user need for a global search.
Running alongside a survey with users to explore user needs, I explored 2 x prototypes for a single global search journey. I used remote moderated user testing
The Outcome
The need for a global search was difficult to determine because, typically, users would be browsing information about events and searching would be a last resort.
This meant that users struggled to recall searching requirements, so I suggested a fake door test to investigate the need for global search further.
However, of the 2 x prototypes, one emerged as most effective, as it reflected the mental model that was used when searching and had an easy-to-scan SERP.