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Optimizing account connection to unlock the full power of social media management platforms
In April 2024, I led a focused design sprint to address a critical engagement gap for social media managers: underutilization of platform features due to incomplete account connectivity. The objective was to streamline the connection process and motivate users to link all their accounts, maximizing campaign reach and management efficiency.
Deliverables: User Research Documentation, Competitive Analysis Summary, Wireframes & High-Fidelity Mockups, Gamification Feature Design
Project Type: UX Design for SaaS Social Media Platform
Timeline: April 2024 (2 weeks)
My Role: UX Design, UX Strategy, Research
Team: Solo Designer, with stakeholder check-ins
The Challenge
Social media managers were missing out on the platform’s full potential—many stopped short of connecting all their accounts, leaving valuable features untapped. The process felt tedious, unclear, and unrewarding, resulting in fragmented campaign management and lost engagement opportunities.
The Solution
We transformed account connection into a seamless, motivating experience. A streamlined workflow with instant feedback and a tiered rewards system made connecting every account feel simple and satisfying—turning a once-overlooked setup step into a moment of progress and achievement.
Design Process
We set out to make connecting accounts effortless and rewarding. By simplifying each step, adding real-time feedback, and introducing visual incentives, we empowered users to unlock the platform’s full value.
01/ Research & Insights
To ground the design in real user needs, I conducted a rapid competitive analysis of leading platforms like Hootsuite and Buffer, mapping out their account connection flows to spot friction points and best practices. Brief interviews with six social media managers surfaced two key pain points: lack of immediate feedback and confusing, inconsistent button states. Gamification emerged as a potential motivator, but only if it felt secondary to the main task.
02/ Flow Mapping & Wireframes
With clear research direction, I mapped the ideal user journey—from landing on the dashboard to connecting all accounts—anticipating common pitfalls and edge cases. Low-fidelity wireframes focused on visual consistency, step-by-step progress indicators, and dynamic feedback (like checkmarks and greyscale states for completed steps).
03/ Ideation & Visual Design
I explored ways to make the experience both intuitive and rewarding. A tiered badge system (Bronze, Silver, Gold) was conceptualized to celebrate progress, with the rewards summary placed at the bottom of the page to keep users focused. Color palette and iconography were iterated to ensure accessibility and a sense of achievement.
04/ High-Fidelity Mockups & Prototyping
The final designs brought the vision to life: a streamlined dashboard with live connection status, a dynamically updating rewards panel, and clear, actionable error messages. An interactive prototype was created to simulate the full experience and facilitate stakeholder feedback.
05/ Internal Review & Design Handoff
With limited time for formal testing, I ran an internal review with peers and stakeholders, gathering feedback on clarity and motivation. This led to refinements in button copy, badge placement, and error messaging. Comprehensive documentation was prepared to ensure a smooth handoff to development.
Next Steps
With the foundation in place, the next evolution is all about momentum. I’d focus on onboarding refinements, making it even easier for new users to connect every account from day one. Adding simple analytics would help users see the value of full connectivity at a glance. Finally, I’d plan for lightweight usability testing to validate the flow and uncover new opportunities for delight. Each step builds on the last, ensuring the platform grows smarter and more intuitive with every release.
Round Up
This project proved that even a short design sprint can drive meaningful change. By rethinking the account connection flow through a user-centered lens, I made it easier and more motivating for social media managers to fully integrate their accounts, unlocking the platform’s true potential for content management and engagement. If you’re looking for a designer who can quickly deliver intuitive, impactful solutions that empower your users and support your business goals, I’d love to collaborate with you on your next project!