Porto

April 3, 2023

INNOVATIVE TRADING APP

Trading platforms are often intimidating for beginners. The challenge was to design a minimal and intuitive trading app that empowers novice users to start their trading journey with confidence, supported by educational resources and a safe demo mode.

Year

2023

Client

NOVICE TRADING APP

FOREX TRADING

Research

The starting point for this project was an exploration into how small vendors in Nigeria currently handle customer communication and payment records. Many rely heavily on WhatsApp for interactions, since it is familiar, cost-free, and widely used across all demographics. However, while WhatsApp provides instant messaging, it does not offer structured tools for managing sales, tracking customers, or issuing receipts. Vendors often resort to manual bookkeeping, ad-hoc screenshots, or basic notes to manage their businesses, which creates inefficiencies and increases the risk of errors.

Further research into digital receipts revealed that most available solutions target larger businesses and often require integration with complex point-of-sale systems or expensive subscription fees. This creates a gap for micro and small vendors who need simple, accessible tools that fit into their existing workflows. Interviews and case studies highlighted that these vendors value convenience, affordability, and tools that integrate seamlessly with what they already use. Therefore, a product that connects WhatsApp-based CRM with smart, automated digital receipts could reduce friction, increase trust with customers, and professionalize vendor operations without requiring them to adopt completely new platforms.

Design

The design approach for this product centers on simplicity and familiarity. Since WhatsApp is already the primary channel for vendor–customer interaction, the system is built to extend WhatsApp’s functionality rather than replace it. The CRM interface organizes chats, customer history, and order details in a structured dashboard while still allowing vendors to respond directly on WhatsApp. This keeps the learning curve low and ensures vendors do not feel disconnected from the tools they already trust.

The digital receipts system is designed to work automatically once a transaction is recorded. Vendors can issue receipts instantly through WhatsApp or SMS, branded with their business details and itemized purchase information. The visual design of the receipts emphasizes clarity and professionalism, giving small vendors the same credibility as larger businesses. At the same time, the receipts integrate features such as secure links for payment confirmation, customer feedback options, and easy record storage for accounting purposes.

Mobile responsiveness is prioritized throughout the design to ensure vendors can operate entirely from their phones, while still offering a web dashboard for those who prefer a larger workspace. By balancing intuitive interfaces with automation, the design ensures that small vendors can adopt the system without feeling burdened by additional complexity, making it a natural extension of how they already run their businesses.

WIREFRAMES & PROTOTYPES

Low-fidelity wireframes were first created on iPad mockups to establish flow.

High-fidelity designs applied the design system, ensuring consistency and polish.
Interactive prototypes allowed usability testing of MVP flows (Onboarding, Buy/Sell, Portfolio, Notifications).

OUTCOME

The final designs achieved:

Intuitive navigation – first-time users could complete onboarding in under 3 minutes.
Confidence-building demo mode – reduced risk anxiety for novice traders.
Educational integration – seamless access to trading resources within the app.
Scalable structure – design system ensures easy future expansion.

Disclaimer: This app structure was designed as part of an interview test. With proper UX research, the system can be further validated and optimized for real-world use.

The final designs achieved:

Intuitive navigation – first-time users could complete onboarding in under 3 minutes.
Confidence-building demo mode – reduced risk anxiety for novice traders.
Educational integration – seamless access to trading resources within the app.
Scalable structure – design system ensures easy future expansion.

Disclaimer: This app structure was designed as part of an interview test. With proper UX research, the system can be further validated and optimized for real-world use.

The final designs achieved:

Intuitive navigation – first-time users could complete onboarding in under 3 minutes.
Confidence-building demo mode – reduced risk anxiety for novice traders.
Educational integration – seamless access to trading resources within the app.
Scalable structure – design system ensures easy future expansion.

Disclaimer: This app structure was designed as part of an interview test. With proper UX research, the system can be further validated and optimized for real-world use.