Previewing TradeTapp 15 updates
We’re really close to finishing up a major refresh of the TradeTapp subcontractor interface, with plans to ship in the coming few weeks. In anticipation of some of the big changes, we wanted to share a preview with you before the new year.
First: why?
We had first hand experience with construction software products before starting TradeTapp. One of our major frustrations was that it felt like these products were hardly ever updated from their original versions. Iterating on exisiting features is one the most important things we do at TradeTapp. We can’t just be satisfied with what works in the present without risking a stale outdated product. Updating our platform, using the latest and best innovations on the web, keeps our product current and ensures that our users are getting the very best experience possible. Perhaps most importantly: continuously iterating makes sure that the feedback from our customers is getting heard and translated into real changes.
What’s this refresh all about?
First, it’s about improving the design of the subcontractor experience. We think simpler layouts, improved clarity, easier navigation, and some other important design tweaks will make lead to more completed prequal applications in a shorter amount of time. Second, we needed to make some pretty major enhancements under the hood in our code to make the application faster, and more efficient in how we store data. And finally third, we think this refresh helps set our platform further apart in our approach towards prequalification with an emphasis on user-friendly and conscientious design for subcontractors.
Let’s take a look at some of the changes
Layout & Navigation
Our initial design (left-side) was all about keeping the application simple and approachable, but in hindsight it left a lot of dead space on the screen. We moved the navigation from up on top to the side, and added question tracking to each section so you can see exactly how much of the form is remaining to be completed. In addition, we added separate containers and adjusted background colors. to make better use of the overall space
Question Breadcrumbs and Tips
Some of the most common feedback from subcontractors included things like “I wish I could know exactly how far I’ve gotten on this application,” or more specifically, “help me understand what the General Contractor means by this question”. First, we added breadcrumbs to the top of each section to make it easier to find and navigate to specific questions. It’s an improved way to jump directly to a question, rather than clicking through a particular section. Second, based on some of the common customer support questions we receive most, we added a custom question tip section to each part of the application to provide additional clarity and instruction.
Express Mode
Super excited about this one. Sometimes, when time is of the essence, and q quick response is needed, subcontractors want to reduce the application down to exclusively the required fields they need to provide for that General Contractor. We call this “express mode”, and turning this feature on will hide any optional parts of the application and remove and unnecessary clicks on the path to submission.
Review and submit
Last but not least, we made some major changes to the review page. We adjusted the design to elevate and highlight any questions that remain incomplete. Users no longer need to scroll through a long list in order to find what is required but incomplete. Additionally, we cleaned up the formatting of the questions list to make it easier to read and more printer-friendly. Here’s a look at the before and after:
Updates to the subcontractor interface are ongoing, so these previews may not reflect the final released product, however, what you see here is most of the way there.
On a separate note — from all of us at TradeTapp — we wanted to wish our amazing partners a happy and healthy new year. Thank you for the trust and faith you’ve shown in us during this first year in operation. Here’s to an exciting year of improvements and enhancements in 2018! Happy New Year!
