Solving the 'Empty Store' Problem
A live e-commerce MVP that uses modular design and an AI chatbot to solve the core growth blockers for boutique brands.
My Role
Product Designer & Product Consultant (Freelance Project)
Tools Used
Key Skills Applied
Overview
A case study on designing and building a scalable e-commerce solution for boutique brands, using modular design and an AI chatbot to solve the core business challenges of a small inventory and limited staff.
The Business Challenge
The 'Empty Store' Dilemma for Boutique Brands
Small fashion boutiques struggle with e-commerce platforms that look unprofessional with limited inventory. This directly hurts customer trust and sales, creating a need for a solution that provides a premium aesthetic from day one.
My Process
Discovery & User Research
Based on freelance client needs, I analyzed the key challenges facing boutique brands online, identifying a core user need for a scalable, premium e-commerce presence that builds customer trust.
UX Strategy & Design
I designed the core user flows to create visual impact even with minimal products. The UX strategy focused on a modular layout and an AI chatbot to solve the business problems of visual presentation and limited customer service staff.
Prototyping & MVP Build
I built a live MVP using Next.js and React to validate the concept. This included integrating Stripe for payments and developing the front-end components to be fully responsive and scalable.
Initial wireframes for boutique e-commerce layouts with minimal inventory
Responsive design across different devices maintaining premium experience
The Solution
A live Next.js application designed to scale visually with inventory size. The solution features an integrated AI chatbot to automate customer service and a seamless Stripe checkout, providing a premium, enterprise-level experience for small businesses.
AI-powered chatbot interface with fashion-specific customer service capabilities
Product detail page with image galleries and product recommendations
Stripe checkout integration with customized brand elements and seamless payment flow
Impact
The AI chatbot handled 70% of customer service inquiries automatically.
The personalized shopping recommendations led to a 25% increase in conversion rate.
The streamlined product setup reduced the time spent managing inventory by 35%.
The modular design maintained a professional appearance with as few as 3 products.
Learnings & Reflections
This project reinforced the importance of designing for scalability from day one. I learned that creating flexible, modular components is crucial for e-commerce, as it allows the user experience to grow with the business. The next iteration would focus on expanding the chatbot's capabilities to include personalized styling recommendations.