Lunar Launch Labs
A cutting-edge software development startup dedicated to empowering businesses by building innovative, reliable, and user-friendly websites from the ground up.
Role:
UX Designer
Timeframe:
5 months
The Background
Type:
Client UX Work
Tools:
Figma, FigJam, Zoho
Lunar Launch Labs, a new software development startup, needed a website to establish its online presence. This was a full build from scratch to support the company's mission of connecting businesses with top-tier software development solutions. Given the startup’s new status, the challenge was to build a robust website with clear, accessible information about their services while accommodating potential changes as the company evolved.
The primary audience included businesses searching for reliable software development teams to create and maintain their digital products. Lunar Launch Labs aimed to appeal to small-to-medium businesses that lacked the resources to build complex sites independently. Building from the ground up posed unique challenges, with no existing website or brand framework to reference, the design needed to integrate Lunar Launch Labs’ newly established identity while remaining flexible for adjustments in services as the company grew.
DISCOVER
Competitive Analysis
To better understand the competitive landscape, I conducted a comprehensive analysis of similar service providers' websites. This research revealed several patterns and best practices that informed our approach, such as easy-to-navigate service pages, clear calls-to-action, and testimonials that build trust.
These insights highlighted two primary user needs:
1
Users often lack the technical expertise to build their sites and struggle to find reliable, skilled developers.
2
Time constraints frequently push businesses to look for ready-to-go solutions that don’t require significant in-house maintenance.
These findings underscored the need for Lunar Launch Labs to position itself as a dependable, accessible partner for growing businesses and informed the messaging and structure of the site. Using these insights, I was able to conduct a more thorough analysis of my target users, ensuring that I fully understood their challenges and could address them effectively.
DEFINE
The
Problem
“L^3 needed a professional website to showcase its services, establish credibility, and attract business clients. Without an existing site, the challenge was to build a user-centered, adaptable platform from scratch that effectively communicates the brand’s value and appeals to a diverse audience.”
After analyzing research and identifying Lunar Launch Labs' core needs, I concentrated on
Service Highlighting, Trust-Building, and Brand Authority.
It became clear that the site needed to emphasize Lunar Launch Labs' expertise and reliability by showcasing its core services, establishing trust through testimonials, and creating a seamless user experience that allows clients to easily explore offerings. To reinforce these values and build credibility, I incorporated a blog section where Lunar Launch Labs could share insights, industry updates, and success stories, helping to position the brand as an authority in software development.
Given the project’s time and resource constraints, we prioritized clear service layouts and intuitive navigation over additional features, like in-depth case studies, which could be revisited in future iterations to deepen client engagement.
Persona Building
A persona was developed to represent a distinct type of client expected at Lunar Launch Labs. This persona guided every design decision, ensuring that users' needs remained a priority.
The small business owner or entrepreneur who needs a reliable software development team to bring their vision to life.
DESIGN
Key Design Decisions
The site’s design aimed to communicate professionalism while staying approachable. To achieve this, I chose a clean, structured layout that highlights services and allows for intuitive navigation. Key design decisions included:
Homepage Layout:
Structured to guide users directly to core service offerings, each with brief descriptions and icons for quick scanning.
Navigation:
Simplified menu options ensured a seamless experience across all devices.
Visual Style:
The brand’s space-themed identity was subtly incorporated with greyscale and a splash of orange to convey a calm, professional tone while alluding to innovation and limitless growth potential.
Prototyping and Iteration
Several layout iterations were prototyped and tested with potential users. Feedback helped refine the layout and navigation, ensuring optimal user flow and accessibility. Each design iteration was carefully aligned with Lunar Launch Labs' brand, using custom iconography, a modern sans-serif typeface, and a consistent color scheme to create a visually cohesive and appealing interface.
DELIVER
Developer Handoff
Using Figma, I developed a high-fidelity prototype to ensure a seamless transition for the development team. Each page had annotated specifications, including style guides and interactive elements, to maintain design integrity in the development phase.
Challenges and Solutions
During implementation, we encountered challenges in optimizing certain animations and interactive elements without impacting site load time. To address this, I collaborated closely with developers, adjusting visual elements to strike a balance between functionality and performance.
Team Collaboration
This project was highly collaborative. I worked alongside two other UX designers to ideate and iterate, and partnered with the company’s founder to ensure the final design aligned with the brand’s vision. Frequent check-ins with the developer team allowed us to troubleshoot issues quickly, maintaining both momentum and quality throughout the project.
The Final Website
RESULTS
Impact Metrics
The completed website contributed significantly to Lunar Launch Labs' early growth. Key metrics showed positive results within the first few months:
Increased Engagement
Bounce rates dropped by 30%, while page views increased by 40%, indicating strong engagement with the new layout.
User Feedback
Conversion Boost
The clear call-to-action buttons on service pages led to a 25% boost in inquiries from potential clients.
Feedback from clients visiting the site underscored the professionalism and usability of the design. Users highlighted how easy it was to find services and noted the seamless browsing experience. Lunar Launch Labs’ founder shared that the website exceeded expectations and played an instrumental role in building client trust.
Lessons Learned
One valuable lesson was the importance of incorporating flexibility for future updates, particularly with startups. Given Lunar Launch Labs’ evolving service offerings, maintaining a modular design proved essential. Next time, I’d also conduct more in-depth user testing with actual clients to further refine specific features based on real-world needs.