Ara App
Ara App
Ara App
Ara app creates seamless automation for busy people. Ara helps customers pay outstanding invoices automatically, so businesses can focus on their most important work.
Ara app creates seamless automation for busy people. Ara helps customers pay outstanding invoices automatically, so businesses can focus on their most important work.
Ara app creates seamless automation for busy people. Ara helps customers pay outstanding invoices automatically, so businesses can focus on their most important work.
Role:
Role:
Role:
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designer
Project:
Project:
Project:
Ara App
Ara App
Ara App
Year:
Year:
Year:
Q3 - Q4 2022
Q3 - Q4 2022
Q3 - Q4 2022
Main Problem
Main Problem
Main Problem
Businesses in Malaysia are impacted by late payments from their customer, lack of staff trouble collecting and managing payments, and chasing customers manually sometimes impact relations with the business.
Businesses in Malaysia are impacted by late payments from their customer, lack of staff trouble collecting and managing payments, and chasing customers manually sometimes impact relations with the business.
Businesses in Malaysia are impacted by late payments from their customer, lack of staff trouble collecting and managing payments, and chasing customers manually sometimes impact relations with the business.
This Happen Because
This Happen Because
This Happen Because
Most customers especially older people still use manual payments like cheques or cash.
Most customers especially older people still use manual payments like cheques or cash.
Most customers especially older people still use manual payments like cheques or cash.
Payment was late because most of the customers were not aware of or cared about the due date.
Payment was late because most of the customers were not aware of or cared about the due date.
Payment was late because most of the customers were not aware of or cared about the due date.
The business owner doesn’t have enough resources/energy to do account receivables by chasing the debt of their customer.
The business owner doesn’t have enough resources/energy to do account receivables by chasing the debt of their customer.
The business owner doesn’t have enough resources/energy to do account receivables by chasing the debt of their customer.
First Approach
First Approach
First Approach
In the prototype that we tested on our users; which is a business owner and several of their customers, we got several feedbacks that we decided to work on:
In the prototype that we tested on our users; which is a business owner and several of their customers, we got several feedbacks that we decided to work on:
In the prototype that we tested on our users; which is a business owner and several of their customers, we got several feedbacks that we decided to work on:
Business Owners
Business Owners
Business Owners
Invoice Creation
Invoice Creation
Invoice Creation
We allow them to create invoices in our platform, simply by putting the details like total due amount up to their details.
We allow them to create invoices in our platform, simply by putting the details like total due amount up to their details.
We allow them to create invoices in our platform, simply by putting the details like total due amount up to their details.
Customer Management
Customer Management
Customer Management
They can add or manage the details for their customer to be used as the recipient of their invoice.
They can add or manage the details for their customer to be used as the recipient of their invoice.
They can add or manage the details for their customer to be used as the recipient of their invoice.
Customers
Customers
Customers
Payment Reminder
Payment Reminder
Payment Reminder
Once a week, customers will receive a reminder through their email and or SMS. For any new and existing invoices, they receive from their vendor.
Once a week, customers will receive a reminder through their email and or SMS. For any new and existing invoices, they receive from their vendor.
Once a week, customers will receive a reminder through their email and or SMS. For any new and existing invoices, they receive from their vendor.
Fast & Quick Payment
Fast & Quick Payment
Fast & Quick Payment
From email/or SMS only a few clicks they can finish making a payment with multiple payment options like FPX, e-Wallet, and Cards.
From email/or SMS only a few clicks they can finish making a payment with multiple payment options like FPX, e-Wallet, and Cards.
From email/or SMS only a few clicks they can finish making a payment with multiple payment options like FPX, e-Wallet, and Cards.
Initially, we believed all was well, particularly from the business owners' point of view. However, it transpired that the major issue originated from the business customers, who are the individuals responsible for making the payments. The problem arose when we sent payment reminders, as all they saw was the invoice template from our platform. They became fearful that it might be a scam, as they were unfamiliar with Ara, despite us including their vendor information.
Initially, we believed all was well, particularly from the business owners' point of view. However, it transpired that the major issue originated from the business customers, who are the individuals responsible for making the payments. The problem arose when we sent payment reminders, as all they saw was the invoice template from our platform. They became fearful that it might be a scam, as they were unfamiliar with Ara, despite us including their vendor information.
Initially, we believed all was well, particularly from the business owners' point of view. However, it transpired that the major issue originated from the business customers, who are the individuals responsible for making the payments. The problem arose when we sent payment reminders, as all they saw was the invoice template from our platform. They became fearful that it might be a scam, as they were unfamiliar with Ara, despite us including their vendor information.
“I am afraid to pay because I don’t know about this platform. I recognize my vendor's details, but I just don’t want if I pay, my money to go to the wrong party”
“I am afraid to pay because I don’t know about this platform. I recognize my vendor's details, but I just don’t want if I pay, my money to go to the wrong party”
“I am afraid to pay because I don’t know about this platform. I recognize my vendor's details, but I just don’t want if I pay, my money to go to the wrong party”
- one of the customers
- one of the customers
- one of the customers
Final Solution
Final Solution
Final Solution
After a few rounds of design and testing, we make some changes to make things work.
After a few rounds of design and testing, we make some changes to make things work.
After a few rounds of design and testing, we make some changes to make things work.
User-Friendly Interface
User-Friendly Interface
User-Friendly Interface
We allow businesses to upload their own invoice format, not only will it speed up the processes, but it will also assist their customers in recognizing and perceiving the invoices as legitimate, encouraging them to make timely payments.
We allow businesses to upload their own invoice format, not only will it speed up the processes, but it will also assist their customers in recognizing and perceiving the invoices as legitimate, encouraging them to make timely payments.
We allow businesses to upload their own invoice format, not only will it speed up the processes, but it will also assist their customers in recognizing and perceiving the invoices as legitimate, encouraging them to make timely payments.
Time Limited Cashback
Time Limited Cashback
Time Limited Cashback
We give cashback to customers who made early payments. The earlier payments they make, the more cashback they will earn.
We give cashback to customers who made early payments. The earlier payments they make, the more cashback they will earn.
We give cashback to customers who made early payments. The earlier payments they make, the more cashback they will earn.
Platform Optimized
Platform Optimized
Platform Optimized
Since the majority of business owners and their admins create invoices using laptops or PCs, while their customers heavily rely on smartphones, we have taken this into consideration. We designed a mobile-responsive payment system to facilitate quick and effortless payments for customers.
Since the majority of business owners and their admins create invoices using laptops or PCs, while their customers heavily rely on smartphones, we have taken this into consideration. We designed a mobile-responsive payment system to facilitate quick and effortless payments for customers.
Since the majority of business owners and their admins create invoices using laptops or PCs, while their customers heavily rely on smartphones, we have taken this into consideration. We designed a mobile-responsive payment system to facilitate quick and effortless payments for customers.
Results & Future Improvements
Results & Future Improvements
Results & Future Improvements
Notable results and future improvements that we gathered 3 months after launch.
Notable results and future improvements that we gathered 3 months after launch.
Results
Results
The first month after launch we only have 10 uploaded invoices, 2 months later we have more than 500 uploaded invoices from just 5 of our active users.
The first month after launch we only have 10 uploaded invoices, 2 months later we have more than 500 uploaded invoices from just 5 of our active users.
We are able to generate at least 30K USD in just three months after launch.
We are able to generate at least 30K USD in just three months after launch.
On the survey that we tested with multiple customers from businesses that use our platform, the average time they spent in our platform to complete making payments was around 1,5 minutes, which exceeded our expectations.
On the survey that we tested with multiple customers from businesses that use our platform, the average time they spent in our platform to complete making payments was around 1,5 minutes, which exceeded our expectations.
Users also say paying through us its a much better option compared to the previous payment they've used.
Users also say paying through us its a much better option compared to the previous payment they've used.
Future Improvements
Future Improvements
Seamless Accounting
Seamless Accounting
Most businesses usually use accounting software, we want to integrate our platform with software like Xero, Biztory, Zoho, etc. So whenever this business generates an invoice in that software, it will automatically appear in our platform
Most businesses usually use accounting software, we want to integrate our platform with software like Xero, Biztory, Zoho, etc. So whenever this business generates an invoice in that software, it will automatically appear in our platform
Custom Reminder
Custom Reminder
Our reminders right now are set at once a week, which is a default condition for most businesses in Malaysia, in the future we want them to be able to set a more customized reminder that is suited to some of their customers.
Our reminders right now are set at once a week, which is a default condition for most businesses in Malaysia, in the future we want them to be able to set a more customized reminder that is suited to some of their customers.
Expand to Other SEA Countries
Expand to Other SEA Countries
Our initial launch was for Malaysian businesses. As we are happy with the result, we plan to expand our reach to other SEA countries. This might take quite some time to happen, as we need to learn other countries' Laws, user & market needs and their limitations.
Our initial launch was for Malaysian businesses. As we are happy with the result, we plan to expand our reach to other SEA countries. This might take quite some time to happen, as we need to learn other countries' Laws, user & market needs and their limitations.
Thank You For Reading
Thank You For Reading
Thank You For Reading
You can continue scrolling and find more screen about other essential features of Ara App, or learn more
You can continue scrolling and find more screen about other essential features of Ara App, or learn more
Track your invoice easily, from the moment it is sent to your customer, to when it is viewed, and when it is paid.
Track your invoice easily, from the moment it is sent to your customer, to when it is viewed, and when it is paid.
Manage customers by; adding new customers, and updating existing customers including deactivating and setting preferred notifications
Manage customers by; adding new customers, and updating existing customers including deactivating and setting preferred notifications