Description:
The website I chose to complete for my usability testing project is a camera equipment re-selling platform designed for creatives to either sell their used equipment, or purchase from another user. The website is called Gear Focus. As stated on the “About us” page, Gear Focus is a marketplace designed for the nuanced needs creators have while fostering a community built on trust and safety. Gear Focus provides a platform for users to sell equipment faster, earn more from their listings, and expedite the entire process. They claim to charge the lowest seller rates in the industry, at just 5%, which only applies after your item sells. It is completely free to list as many equipment items that you like, and the whole process is done entirely by the user and includes the following:
-
List it:
- Snap quality photos & write a very accurate and thorough description of the product
-
Ship it:
- Pack items gently and securely with the shipping label visible on the package; include shipping and listing information inside the package
-
Get paid:
- Gear Focus initiates payout anywhere from 1-3 business days after confirmation of the sold item
Gear Focus also claims that they are still in the beginning stages of creating their photography supply website into the #1 site of its kind. There will be expanded content on product reviews, demos, and content such as tips, tricks and best practices made available in the future.
Why It Was Selected:
I chose this particular website for the main reason of me being a videographer who loves adding gear to my collection but loves finding good deals on gear even more. I generally don’t invest in equipment unless I know I will use it very often and it is great quality for the price. Aside from the fact that I’m a big gear head, the other reason I chose this website is because I thought it had a good balance of good design principles and bad ones. There are some cool features to this equipment platform, but there are also some points where the design could have been better or more intuitive. I will explore those points and their implications throughout the usability testing process.