eBay Kleinanzeigen: a mini UX case study

eBay Kleinanzeigen is a marketplace where people put their items up for sale every day. Like everyone else, I use the app regularly, but I came across a problem.

As the screenshot below, according to my search for Airpods, a long list of similar results are displayed. In a typical scenario, to check out for details, I will tap on each of them. In case of interest, I will send a message to the seller and close the app in the end.

From time to time, I will open the app again. In the displayed list will be even more results, including the one I have already contacted. However, I don’t see any indication of which seller I already have reached out. Identical-looking product types and similar product presentations hinder the identification. Playing jump-and-match-inbox-and-search-image is a lousy solution.

The main primary button’s function remains “message” whether the seller got contacted or not. In both cases, it only leads to confusing mazelike open-tab-situations.

Solution

To solve this first problem on the search results page, I added a small visual message icon (screenshot below) which informs the user about an ongoing conversation

And to solve the second problem, as soon the contact is made the copy of the button will change to “Continue conversation”, and will lead the buyer to the inbox tab by clicking on it.

I believe the above solution makes the user experience a lot smoother and is very easy for eBay to implement. Jumping screens is nobodies favourite. Only 🦘kangaroos love that.