Simplifying the Car
Buying Journey with
Caristas

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About Caristas

Caristas is a revolutionary web and mobile solution that streamlines the process of finding the perfect car.

It offers a unique AI-based, six-minute survey to help users find cars that match their lifestyle, preferences, budget, and financial needs. The platform provides users with all the information they need to make an informed purchasing decision, including a customized purchase checklist and virtual test drives.

Caristas takes the stress out of car shopping and makes it an enjoyable experience by focusing on consumer guidance and providing a fun and convenient way to purchase a vehicle online.

repair tool  Services

  • UI/UX Design
  • Branding
  • Product Development

plant  Industry

Automobile

The Problems

The current car buying process is complicated and time-consuming, with many platforms providing limited features and confusing the customer with too many options.

There was a need for a platform that could connect with customers' sentiments, capture their preferences, budget, needs and wants, inform them about the best payment and trade-in options available, and make it easier for them to make the right decision by providing a clear picture of the car buying process.

Project Scope and Timeline

We initiated this project in September 2020 and started conducting a Scoping Session, Product Discovery Workshop, and created the Roadmap. Post that this was divided into 2 Phases.

Project Challenges

The key challenge in developing Caristas was to design a platform that could connect with customers' emotions and simplify the buying process.

Firstly, the platform had to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for consumers to understand and use the technology.

Secondly, we had to create a matching algorithm that connects users with their perfect car and provides a comprehensive solution that covers all aspects of the car-buying journey.

Thirdly, the platform had to be able to collect and process large amounts of this captured data, including user information, vehicle inventory, and pricing, and match them with the right vehicles.

Finally, the platform had to be scalable and secured since privacy was always a top priority.

What we did

Going with our process, we conducted an initial Scoping Session to understand Caristas’s long-term vision.

This was followed by a Product Discovery Workshop to validate the idea and gather insights from potential users. We then conducted a Design Sprint to finalize the design and user flow for the platform.

scoping   Scoping Session

Our development team sat down with the Caristas team to understand their goals, objectives, and requirements for the project. During the scoping session, the team gathered information about the client's target audience, business requirements, and competition.

This information helped us to create a detailed project plan and define the scope of the project.

discovery   Discovery Workshop

The product discovery workshop is the second step in the design process, where our development team worked closely with the Caristas team to validate the project ideas and assumptions. During the workshop, the team conducted User Research, Market Analysis, and Competitor Analysis to validate the project hypothesis.

sprint   Product Design Sprint

Next up, we created an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to validate its design and functionality. The design sprint involved iterative prototyping, user testing, and feedback collection to ensure that the product meets the needs of the target audience.

strategy   Product Strategy

Based on the insights gathered from the Scoping session and Design Sprint, we developed a Product Strategy that focused on simplifying the car buying journey for the customer. This included making the platform user-friendly, providing a customized experience for each customer, and streamlining the purchase process.

roadmap   Roadmap Development

We laid out a detailed Roadmap that outlined several milestones, including the development of a matching algorithm, the integration of secure payment options, and a few other deliverables.

The Roadmap helped the development team track the progress of the project and ensure that it stays on schedule.

design   Design System

The Design System for Caristas encompasses a wide range of elements, including Typography, Color palettes, Icons, and Imagery.

Our aim was to create a cohesive visual language that would help create a consistent and recognizable brand identity.

We also created a set of design guidelines that would ensure that all the design elements were used consistently throughout the platform. This helps us maintain the integrity of the design and ensures that the UX remains consistent and seamless.

architect   Information Architecture

The IA for Caristas was designed to be intuitive, easy to navigate, and accessible to users of all abilities. Our team started by creating a site map that laid out the various sections and pages of the platform.

Next, we worked on creating a hierarchy of information that would ensure that users could easily find the information they were looking for.

We also made sure to include clear and concise labelling, intuitive navigation, and well-placed calls to action to guide users through the platform.

design   Building the UI Design

We designed a visually appealing platform that was easy to navigate, with a user-friendly interface. The design was incorporated as a result of the Scoping Sessions and Product Design Sprints.

The final design was tailored to meet the specific needs of the target audience.

Typography
typography
Buttons
buttons
Iconography
Iconography
Colors
Colors
Cards
Cards
 
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Development  Development & Deployment

The Caristas platform was built using React Native for the Mobile app. We used React JS, Node JS, and PostgreSQL for the Web app to ensure Robust speed and Scalability.

The platform was deployed on AWS and has since been updated and improved to offer a seamless User Experience.

Caristas is now live, helping customers find their perfect car.

Product  Product Management

Throughout the Development and Deployment process, we provided ongoing Product Management service to ensure that the platform met the client's expectations.

This included regular updates on the development progress, Quality Assurance Testing, User Feedback sessions, and additions of new features.

Final Takeaway

The Caristas platform is a game-changer in the Retail Automotive marketplace and has revolutionized the car buying process by offering a comprehensive solution that simplifies the journey from search to car delivery.

The platform has received positive feedback from Users and has been well-received by Dealers. With its user-friendly interface and customized experience, Caristas is set to revolutionize the way cars are bought and sold.

Simublade is proud to have been a part of this innovative project and looks forward to continuing our partnership with Caristas.

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Client Testimonial

Don’t just take our word for it- listen to what the customer has to say for the Simublade team and the product we’ve developed for CARISTAS:

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