On-Demand Massage

Designing an interface

The idea of the application for calling the masseur wasn’t new, since there were already some similar services. A main feature of the developed application was a quick order. It was supposed that massage is such a service that is required spontaneously, «here and now». Therefore, when creating the initial prototype, we tried to think over the interaction of the user with the system so that a quick order became a real advantage of the future application. Also, the scope of activities was limited to a massage in the office or gym: in this case, the masseur doesn’t need to take a massage table with him, which makes the service really fast.

Another feature of the app was the ability to make an order without registration. As at the online stores, we get all the necessary information about the user during the first order, at the end of which we have a complete personal profile of the client.

From the implementation point of view, it looks like this in the app: when the app is launched for the first time, it registers an anonymous user on the server. This allows a person to use all the functional of the registered user (order history, order binding to the site, saving the payment method, etc.) without the registration procedure itself. If user wants to perform a full registration, for example, in order to use the same account on other devices later, all he has to do is enter data for authorization (e-mail and password) or log in using one of the social networks. The data of the anonymous user will be saved.

Order options

On the start screen there is a short greeting, after which user quickly goes to the order screen. Having a small number of options, we fit them in one screen. From the logistic point of view, it was important to encourage the client to order more time for the massage. Therefore, when changing the parameters, we see how the price changes and how the discount increases. The unobtrusive interactive was used to make the choice and emphasis on price change clear.

We planned to make this form «smart» and «learnable»: when a person makes a second order, we compare his/her location with records in history and pre-fill options according to the previous order in this place. For example, if a person repeatedly orders a massage in the gym, only after opening the application he/she will see the same options that he/she chose the last time. At the same time, the app offers completely different options in the office.

The application has a lot of non-standard interface elements, so the development of the interface of the Android-application assumed the creation of a lot of platform custom views. This guarantees the same display of the elements on different OS versions, as well as the ability to use these elements in the future.

Masseur search

After choosing the massage options, you need to specify the location. Initially, we get the location data using the geolocation services of the mobile device, but if the data was not received, the user can enter the address manually or simply move the map with his finger.

In order to reduce the search time of the masseur, we send a search request after receiving the location. At the time when the client fills in the personal information (name, phone, address) and chooses the payment method, we already send out inquiries to all the nearest masseurs.

And when the masseur receives an order with his application, the server sends a GCM notification to the client application, which allows you to get the real time status of the order without additional data reboots.

Search results

In an ideal situation, thanks to a thoughtful search, immediately after specifying the personal data, user receives a message stating that the masseur has been found and is on a way to his location. In the details of the massage you can see all the important information about the order, as well as the option to request additional 30 minutes of massage. After the end of the procedure, user is asked to post a review. In the future, the rating can be used to rank the masseurs.

A variety of elements of the Android application interface, for example, the recall unit, are dynamic and change their state with animation. To implement them, we used Property Animation. This allowed to significantly reduce the time for their implementation, as well as save application resources.

Masseur app

Also, we designed and developed a separate application for masseurs. This is a fairly simple application with two main functions: receiving requests for massage in the nearest radius and notifying the service that the massage session is over. In addition, fulfillment of orders and earned money statistics are kept. By integrating the Google Maps Navigation service, we gave the massage therapist the ability to navigate to the destination point.