BACK

— User Research.

ZARA Website Redesign

This page presents the research findings I gathered through both primary and secondary research methods.

— Table of Contents:

Primary Research:

1. Online Surveys

Secondary Research:

2. Competitive Analysis

3. SWOT Analysis

— Online Surveys:

M Y  R O L E :

User Research

D U R A T I O N :

2 weeks

T O O L  U S E D :

Google Forms

P L A T F O R M S   P O S T E D :

Instagram, Reddit

Scope:

The goal of this unmoderated survey is to gather insights and feedback from current ZARA customers to inform the redesign of the ZARA desktop website.

Process:

For the research process, I prepared a comprehensive set of questions aimed at understanding users' experiences with the ZARA website, particularly focusing on navigation, readability, and accessibility. These questions were organized into a Google Form survey, ensuring they covered key areas such as user pain points, preferences, and suggestions for improvement.

The survey was distributed on social media platforms to reach a diverse audience, gathering valuable feedback from ZARA customers.

Questions:

About Users:

  1. How old are you?
  2. Where are you located?
  3. How often do you shop online for clothing?

About ZARA:

  1. How frequently you visit the ZARA website?
  2. How would you describe your overall experience with the ZARA website?
  3. What do you find most frustrating about using the ZARA website?

Navigation:

  1. How easy is it to find specific products or categories on the ZARA website?
  2. Are there any particular areas of the site where you struggle to navigate?

Product:

  1. How clear and detailed is the product information provided on the ZARA website?
  2. Are there any additional details you wish were included in product descriptions?

Checkout Process:

  1. How would you rate your experience with the checkout process?
  2. Were there any challenges you encountered while completing the purchase?

Visual Design:

  1. How do you feel about the layout of the ZARA website?
  2. Are there any problems you encountered that with the visual design?

    — Research Findings:

    Here are the research findings based on the responses of 23 participants.

    Bio:

    • 85% of the respondents are in the age between 20 and 30
    • 89% live in urban areas
    • 100% have previously used the ZARA website with 58% shop on ZARA website frequently

    Frustrations:

    • More than 70% of participants struggle with accessibility while navigating the website
    • Approximately 80% of participants think the ZARA website interface is confusing
    • More than 50% of participants encountered some types of challenges while completing their purchase

    Feedback for Improvement:

    • Most participants believe the ZARA website should prioritize accessibility, particularly improving text legibility
    • Some suggested that the homepage images should be smaller and offer more detailed information about the collections
    • A few participants also felt the checkout process could be faster and streamlined with fewer steps

    — Competitive Analysis:

    I chose Reformation, one of ZARA's direct competitors, to compare ZARA's website with.

    Homepage:

    Z A R A :

    Minimalistic style with limited text

    Focus on visual aesthetics

    R E F O R M A T I O N :

    A great balance between visual elements and text

    Focus on products and brand values

    → Both brands follow a minimalistic style. While ZARA focuses on trends and fast fashion, Reformation focuses on value-delivering messages and storytelling.

    Navigation:

    Z A R A :

    Hamburger menu on desktop — simple but may be confusing

    Low-contrast and hard-to-read text

    R E F O R M A T I O N :

    Clear navigation menu bar

    → Reformation’s navigation is more user-friendly and accessible.

    Product Listings:

    Z A R A :

    Full-page images — hard to see the full outfit without having to scroll down

    Sizes are put under '+' icon (unconventional)

    R E F O R M A T I O N :

    Clear product details

    "Quick add" feature allows users to quickly add products to cart (fewer steps for users result in a quicker path to the desired goal)

    → Zara focuses on visual immersive experiences, while Reformation adds educational value and speaks to environmentally conscious people.

    Single Product Page:

    Z A R A :

    Product is captured at different angles

    "Find your size" feature — personalized shopping experience

    R E F O R M A T I O N :

    Product is captured at limited angles

    No personalized size guide

    → Both brands feature product details very clearly. However, ZARA outperforms Reformation by incorporating a wide range shots of a product and personalized size guide.

    Checkout Process:

    Z A R A :

    Guest checkout — convenient

    Multi-step checkout — clear progression but more clicks/steps may frustrate users which, in turn, increases the rate of cart abandonment

    Unconventional CTA (Authorize Payment) — some users may wonder if their order is complete or if there are additional steps beyond authorization

    R E F O R M A T I O N :

    Guest checkout — convenient

    Single-page checkout — faster completion

    Conventional CTA (Pay and Place Order) — users are aware that this is the final step in the purchasing process

    Reformation stands out from ZARA by providing a clearer and more transparent checkout experience

    Overall:

    Z A R A :

    Designed for visual impact and trend-driven shopping

    Distinct brand personality — this may lack usability

    R E F O R M A T I O N :

    Designed for storytelling and value-driven shopping

    Build a strong sense of connection with users — convenient

    → From a UX perspective, Reformation’s focus on navigation, content, and ease of use positions it ahead of ZARA in terms of user-centered design.

    — SWOT Analysis:

    To evaluate ZARA's competitive position, I used SWOT Analysis tool to identify its internal strengths, weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats.

    Strengths:

    1. Brand Reputation: ZARA has a distinct visual identity and has been a leading brand in the fast fashion industry
    2. Established customer base: ZARA already has a large and loyal customer base due to its affordable price and trendy product collections

    Weaknesses:

    1. Complexity in navigation and interface
    2. Limited accessibility: the current site is not
    3. Lack of diversity: the current site may not feature a diverse range of models, particularly in terms of body type. This may alienate a portion of the audience

    Opportunities:

    1. Personalization features: personalized greetings, suggested products, etc
    2. AI-powered features: virtual fitting room, avatar creation etc

    Threats:

    1. Competitor advancements: competitors like Aritzia or H&M may also be improving their online presence, creating a more competitive environment