Best Student Halls

1. Overview

Project Type: Website Redesign
Platform: Responsive Web (Desktop + Mobile)
Timeline: 4 Weeks
Role: UX/UI Designer

Tools : Adobe XD, Photoshop

Best Student Halls is a platform that helps students find accommodation across the UK. The goal of this redesign was to improve usability, simplify decision-making, and create a more trustworthy and conversion-focused experience.

2. Problem Statement

The existing website had multiple usability issues that impacted user trust and conversions:

• Overloaded interface with poor visual hierarchy

• Difficult property comparison experience

• Lack of clarity in pricing and amenities

• Weak search and filtering system

• Outdated UI that didn’t reflect credibility

• This resulted in users feeling overwhelmed instead of confident while choosing accommodation.

3. Goal

Design a clean, intuitive, and conversion-driven experience that:

• Simplifies property discovery

• Improves decision-making with clear information

• Builds trust through modern UI

• Reduces cognitive load

• Increases booking intent

4. My Approach

I followed a structured UX process:

• Understanding user needs

• Identifying key usability issues

• Optimizing for responsiveness

5. Core frustrations found

• Too many options; hard to compare.

• Important details are buried.

• I don't fully trust the listings.

• Navigation feels confusing.

• These insights guided every design decision.

Click on the images to enlarge

Competitive Analysis

User Persona

Empathy Mapping

Analysis

Branding & Typography

Old vs New website

Old Website

• Logo and header blend into the background; hard to read

• Three key points cluttered with bulky vector shapes

• Dull, outdated look that undermines trust

New Website

• Gradient theme and consistent styling — modern and credible

• Redesigned header with universal search bar

• WhatsApp icon added for instant chat

• Clear, readable content and layout

• Three key points highlighted with consistent icons

• Trustpilot/reviews section added

• Brighter image tone for a fresh look

Old Featured Listing

• Only shows an image

• Missing key info & actions

New Featured Listing

• New layout and orientation

• Wishlist option added

• Price shown per week

• Offer slot included

• Facility icons added

New Property page

• Newly designed page as per new theme

• Provided offer slot

Old Property page

• Looks incomplete

• Offer section missing

Old Property section

• Facilities are shown in paragraph

• Enquiry & Book both buttons are highlighted, creating confusion which one is primary and secondary

• Limited number of photos

• Top right section of the container is empty

New Property section

• Added room tour video

• Containers with options to show more photos

• Clear CTA hierarchy (Primary: Book, Secondary: Enquire)

• Structured layout with icon-based information

• Integrated offer section

• Optimized layout for better content visibility

City Search Page

• Introduced a Map View to enable quick, location-based exploration of nearby properties.

6. Key Design Decisions

Simplified Navigation

• Reduced clutter

• Better hierarchy

Strong Visual Hierarchy

• Important information highlighted first

• Clean spacing and typography

Improved Property Cards

• Key details visible at a glance

• Pricing, location, and ratings prioritized

Smart Filtering System

• Easy-to-use filters

• Faster decision-making

Trust Building Elements

• Ratings, reviews, and verified badges

• Professional and modern UI

7. Visual Design

The UI was designed with a focus on clarity and trust:

• Minimal and modern aesthetic

• Clean typography

• Consistent spacing system

• Soft color palette for better readability

The goal was to make the experience feel simple, premium, and reliable.

8. Responsive Design

The experience was optimized across devices:

• Mobile-first approach

• Touch-friendly interactions

• Simplified layouts for smaller screens

• Ensuring accessibility and usability everywhere

9. Impact

The redesigned experience aims to:

• Improve user engagement

• Reduce decision fatigue

• Increase booking conversions

• Build long-term trust with users

10. What I Learned

• Simplicity is key in decision-heavy platforms

• Clear hierarchy improves usability drastically

• Trust elements are crucial in booking platforms

• Good UX reduces friction, not just looks better

11. What I Would Do Next

If given more time, I would:

• Conduct usability testing

• Add comparison features

• Personalize recommendations

• Improve micro-interactions

15. Conclusion

This project focused on transforming a cluttered experience into a clean, intuitive, and user-centered platform. The redesign prioritizes clarity, trust, and usability, making it easier for students to find and book accommodation with confidence.

“These changes were aimed at reducing decision friction and improving booking confidence, especially for first-time student renters.”

• Project designed in 2021; core UX principles like hierarchy, clarity, and usability remain relevant even till date.

• Some solutions were not implemented due to project constraints at the time.