BNB Connection
Project Overview:
BNB Connection is a platform created to connect travelers with local bed-and-breakfast accommodations as an independent alternative to large rental sites. The project involved designing a responsive web application that showcases unique B&B properties and facilitates a straightforward booking inquiry process. It aimed to provide Bed & Breakfast owners with an easy way to list their property and for travelers to discover and connect with these hosts in a user-friendly interface.
Design Challenge & Goals:
The design challenge was to capture the charm and personal touch of B&B stays while ensuring the online experience was as convenient as mainstream booking platforms. This meant featuring high-quality photos, clear room descriptions, and an intuitive navigation for searching by location, date, and amenities. The goal was to build trust and simplicity into the experience – making it easy for less tech-savvy B&B owners to manage listings, and for travelers (often older couples or families) to confidently make inquiries. Key objectives included a clean UI, prominent calls-to-action (e.g., “Book Now” buttons), and integration of maps and reviews to help users make informed decisionsProcess:
Research:
Conducted comparative analysis of hospitality booking sites (Airbnb, B&B specialty sites) to identify important features and usability gaps. Interviewed a few B&B owners and frequent B&B travelers to gather insights on pain points; for example, owners wanted more control and a personal feel, while travelers valued authentic photos and easy communication with hosts.
Wireframing & Architecture:
Mapped out user flows for searching listings, viewing property details, and sending booking requests. Created wireframes for key pages (home with search bar and featured listings, listings results page with filters, property detail page with gallery and amenities, and a contact/booking form). Emphasized simplicity – minimal steps for the user to go from search to inquiry.
UI Design:
Developed a warm and welcoming visual design that used a soothing color palette and inviting imagery of cozy interiors. Ensured that each property listing prominently displays an image carousel, price/night, and key highlights (e.g., “Ocean View” or “Pet-Friendly”). Incorporated trust signals like host profiles and guest reviews. The design was refined through iterations with feedback focusing on readability (e.g., increasing font sizes for older users) and visual balance between text and images.
Prototype Testing:
Built an interactive prototype in Figma and conducted usability tests with 5 users (a mix of B&B owners and travelers). Observed users performing tasks like searching for a stay and contacting a host. This led to improvements such as adding a filter for “type of home” and simplifying the inquiry form. Users appreciated the straightforward layout and noted the site felt personal and uncluttered compared to larger platforms.
Development:
Implemented the front-end using CRM platform: ‘WordPress’ for easy to manage client interface. Focused on responsive design from the start, so the experience on tablets and phones is equally smooth for travelers on-the-go. Basic content management was provided for owners to update their listings easily. Throughout development, close attention was paid to performance (optimized images, caching) to ensure pages load quickly even in rural areas with slower internet (common for some B&B locations).
Tools & Technologies:
Figma (for UX design and prototyping), WordPress for Development & Photoshop for graphics and Logo creation.
Results:
The BNB Connection project culminated in a functional prototype and design blueprint that successfully balanced usability and charm. The platform’s intuitive flow and personal feel received positive feedback from stakeholders and test users. B&B owners found the listing process straightforward, and travelers in testing reported that they felt the site was easier to navigate than larger booking platforms with “too many filters.”. The work on BNB Connection demonstrated how thoughtful UX design can create a niche solution that feels welcoming and trustworthy, laying the groundwork for the platform’s next steps in development and marketing.