Connecting customers with 3D cameras.


A service directory with a seamless experience.

A proprietary camera and software platform by Planitar, iGUIDE allows for the creation of immersive 3D virtual tours and property information including detailed floor plans, reliable measurements, and more for a variety of commercial use cases. 

Planitar was looking to update and elevate their service provider directory, the ION Directory. We redesigned the directory to provide a user-friendly and responsive enterprise-level experience that functions as a matchmaking platform for customers and service providers.

Reach

  • Connecting 800+ service providers with customers across the world.

Services

  • Information Architecture
  • UX & UI Design
  • Website Development
  • Search OptimizationWeb Hosting
  • Maintenance & Support

Year

  • 2024

Technology

  • WordPress
  • Google Place API
  • Google Maps JavaScript API
  • WPForms
  • Admin Columns Pro

Digital Strategy

A clearer view.

Their previous operator directory had several challenges that needed addressing. For customers, the previous directory’s user experience and functionality was fairly clunky and limited, in need of a better way to find and organize the operators. As well, in order to grow the directory, the team also wanted to encourage more iGUIDE operators to build out their own profiles. 

Finally, there was a need to have better tracking of directory engagement and leads shared with operators to measure the effectiveness of the new platform. The new, more intuitive directory makes it easier for customers to find and contact service providers. As well, it engages service providers to interact with the site and encourages them to elevate their profiles. 

Streamlined search to find and filter operators.

To ensure the directory offers an elevated experience, we re-engineered the ION Directory interface to have cleaner and more streamlined operations. The new directory is more visually appealing with a map and list toggle to suit user preferences. We also added advanced filters so that customers could easily find and filter through operators. 

The addition of a slide-out service request drawer ensures that contacting a provider, or multiple at the same time, is quick and easy. This eliminates the pain point of having to recopy requests to multiple operators. While exploring profiles on the map, a ranking system pushes the higher rated ones, based on Google reviews, to the top. Users can also now request iGUIDE’s help to coordinate services across multiple regions.

While the previous directory simply linked out to service provider’s external websites, the new directory features unique operator profile pages with useful information such as reviews, a link to their website, contact info, reviews, and cameras available. Users can contact providers directly through their contact information or through a service request through the slide-out drawer on the main map page.  

Development

Elevated back-end features.

The main directory is configured through geolocation to search the user’s predetermined area to display the closest listings. We implemented a distance-based bias towards listings with higher review values, ensuring that listings are ordered by review rating up to a maximum distance. This approach ensures the search results are relevant while highlighting the best providers.

By logging into their account, operators can now access their new dashboard to see performance analytics such as how many people submitted a request to their company, the amount of click-throughs to their website, and more. This puts them in the driver’s seat, providing greater incentive to engage with Planitar and encouraging them to ameliorate their profile to get more interest and more hits. 

Joining iGUIDE® has also become easier with a four-step process that integrates with Google business profiles so all the information is already there without having to re-input it. On the back end, the verification process is directly linked to the iGUIDE team, ensuring a clearer, and faster, system for vetting and approval.

Tools to scale up. 

As the need for high quality 3D virtual tours continues to grow and Planitar expands more internationally, so will the need to ensure a clean and positive user experience, no matter how many operators are added to their list. By enhancing the ION directory for both camera operators and customers, Planitar is ensuring their spot as the go-to destination for those looking for these immersive experiences.