Pawsitter is a multi-sided digital platform that connects pet owners with private pet sitters who share a love for animals. The purpose of the platform is to ensure a safe and secure connection between these two target groups by using various safety-creating functions/features as well as a modern and user-friendly design.

The platform and Pawsitter were created in connection with my final thesis at the studio as a digital concept developer. Along with the interactive prototype is an analytical, strategic and concept descriptive report. Contact to see report.

An analysis based platform

Before the development of the platform, a number of necessary analyzes were made to answer the problem statement and examine the 2 challenges; which revenue model is best and how to engage the customers to maintain their activity on the platform.

The analyzes are the following:

• The Danes’ hold of pets

• Trends & tendencies within the industry

• Segmentation

• User research

• Competitors

Pawparents & Pawsitters

As mentioned, the target group consists of pet owners (Pawparents cf. the platform) and private pet sitters (Pawsitters cf. the platform).

Both target groups create a user and indicate which target group they belong to, after which the platform is adapted to the target group. For example, Pawparents are only introduced to Pawsitters, and the other way around as well. Likewise, Pawparents can create and present their pets, for which the Pawsitters have a greater need to present who they are, what services they offer, their prices, etc.

Revenue- and business model

One of the major challenges was creating an exciting and engaging business model which differentiated itself from the Danish competitors. The solution was, as I said, a multi-sided platform which offers freemium in the form of the platform being free to download and use. Pawsitter ensure a fixed income through a service fee of 9%, which is deducted from the sitting price, which is chosen by the pet sitters. The solution differentiates itself from the competitors by offering extra and advantageous security functions and benefits through subscription plans - both to pet owners and pet sitters. The subscription plans are available at affordable prices. If a user doesn't use the platform often enough to invest in a subscription plan, a number of the security features can be purchased when booking pet sitting for the pet owners.

Credibility through verification and background check

The users themselves are masters of sorting through which other users they feel safe about and who they think are trustworthy. Pawsitter contributes with a number of functions that help secure this. The two most important to mention are profile verification and background checks. Verification is available for both audiences. Background checks can be purchased by the pet sitters to ensure extra credibility and qualification with the pet owners.

Important pages

The platform consists of a fixed menu at the bottom of the screen. The menu pages include:

• Search page

• Saved profiles

• Booking administration

• Chat

• Profile

Search page

The search function is the first page you will see on the platform. This is where you can search in Pawsitter’s library of pet sitters and pet owners. Narrow down your search through the filter function or see the map to find the closest ones.

It is also through this page you can access the profiles of the opposite target group and, as pet owners, book pet sitting.

Profile view

See important information about a given pet sitter (and pet owner) through pictures, descriptions, services, important information, etc. It is also possible to see when the pet sitter is available or if a pet owner is looking for sitting.

See reviews from other users or start a direct chat with the user. It is also possible to request pet sitting.

Booking request

Send a booking request to the pet sitters with which animals are to be looked after, desired service, time, etc.

Saved profiles

Save profiles - both pet sitters and pet owners, so you can quickly and easily find them again.

Booking administration

Manage your bookings. On this page, you can see your booking requests that are awaiting acceptance, your accepted bookings and upcoming pet sittings, pet sittings that have taken place and rejected bookings.

Chat

Chat directly with both pet sitters and pet owners through the platform. This ensures secure and fast communication between the two target groups. The chat is always available, and can be used both before, during and after pet sitting. This is also where booking requests are sent to.

Profile

Set up your profile, add preferences and as a pet owner you can create and manage your animals under your profile.

Rounding

Tasks/roles

Through the project I have been in charge and made everything myself.