Billo
Overview
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Billo is an invoicing tool designed to help freelancers effortlessly create, customize, and send invoices while tracking payments, and emails. It streamlines the invoicing process, making business management simple for the everyday freelancer.
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Role​
UX Design, Visual Design​​​​
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Design Process​
Discovery, Ideation, Testing, Design
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Tools
Figma
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Year
2024
Problem
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Users need a way to quickly create, customize, and send professional invoices tailored to their freelance work. This is because they are busy managing multiple clients and often struggle with manual invoicing processes, which take up valuable time that could be spent on their projects.
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Solution
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Create a simple, customizable, and intuitive platform for freelancers to quickly create and send professional invoices tailored to their specific needs, streamlining the invoicing process so they can focus more on their work and less on administrative tasks.
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Understanding the Challenge
The core of the challenge was “to streamline the process of creating invoices for freelancers”, which is surrounded by a number of tasks leading up to creating the invoice. For example, it involves keeping track of all clients, finding contracts, determining the amount to charge which client, and the list can go on. Rather than immediately diving into concept ideation based on assumptions, I prioritized gaining a comprehensive understanding of the invoicing process within the constraints of the available time. This approach ensured that my proposed concept would be both effective and meaningful for users.
Research
I interviewed five diverse freelancers from various industries and age groups for broader insights. Using an open-ended script, I encouraged participants to share their invoicing experiences. Conducting the interviews in context, I observed their use of platforms and apps while exploring tasks and details related to the process.
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The interviews revealed a key pain point: the inefficiency of invoicing, particularly for those managing multiple vendors across various applications. A potential solution is an app that consolidates and organizes all invoicing information, streamlining the process to save time. It could also offer customizable templates for invoice language, allowing users to tailor their invoices to specific clients.
Affinity Map
Possible Solution Iteration
Persona Development
Competitive Analysis
I conducted a comprehensive analysis of competing companies that provide invoicing solutions. With Billo, I identified an opportunity to differentiate by creating an intuitive, user-friendly app tailored to support freelancers of all types, whether they are solo entrepreneurs or freelancers managing a team.
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The main feature differences:
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Easily Accessible vs Hardly Accessible
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Busy / Distracting Interface vs Minimalistic Interface
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Simple User Flow
Preparing the Journey
I created a site map and a typical user flow to outline the complete journey of a user through Billo while creating an invoice. This helped me better understand the user's experience. Afterward, I moved into the wireframing process, which went through several iterations. I gathered early feedback from peers before transitioning to low-fidelity prototyping.
After creating the prototype from low fidelity wireframes, I moved onto preparing a 10 question survey for participants to fill out before conducting a usability test. I asked 5 different participants to run through different scenarios in the prototype on desktop and mobile in hopes of gathering enough feedback to use for the next set of design iterations. ​
Accessible Module Design
Users enjoyed the modular design saying that it helped them understand what was related and what was not. When switching over to different devices, users mentioned the familiar and consistent experience.
Customization Tools
Users expressed a need for greater clarity in distinguishing different tools offered by adding in icons that showcase what that particular tool does. They also mentioned that they liked the simplicity of the buttons to access the tools.
Artificial Inteligence
In the email feature, users are able to use email assistance to quickly draft and send an email to clients. This feature was widely appreciated by users. It some cases, this feature was overlooked.
Accessible Module Design
The modular approach is advantageous as it offers flexibility, ensuring consistent user experience across different devices while simplifying navigation and interaction on smaller screens. This design enhances both usability and accessibility, catering to diverse user needs.
Customization Tools
The design process focused on addressing users' needs by providing a seamless, on-the-go solution for creating and customizing invoices. We implemented intuitive tools supported by clear iconography, ensuring ease of use across various devices. These customization features enable users to align their invoices with their brand identity, allowing for a cohesive representation of their business throughout the entire invoicing process.
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence
AI is increasingly integrated across platforms, offering diverse functionalities to enhance user experiences. In the design process, I recognized the need for AI to be a prominent feature within the interface, directly addressing user needs. It should assist users in creating templates, drafting client emails, and setting reminders for follow-ups, all within a seamless workflow. By fully integrating AI into Billo, it aims to provide users with the most efficient tools possible, allowing them to save both time and resources while enhancing productivity.
Style Guide
The Billo website and app serve as a comprehensive solution for freelancers and business owners seeking a simple yet powerful invoicing tool. The branding strikes the perfect balance between approachability, security, and ease of use. The calming blue palette, complemented by bright yellow accents, is thoughtfully chosen to convey the effortless nature of creating invoices, highlighting the time and cost-saving benefits of the platform. Every aspect of the branding is designed to evoke a sense of trust and simplicity, reinforcing the seamless experience Billo offers its users.
Takeaways
Billo is a project close to my heart as a freelancer who constantly struggles to manage invoices and relies on multiple tools to stay organized. This experience has shown me the value of a streamlined solution that saves time and reduces complexity. Working on Billo, particularly with its AI-driven features, has been incredibly intriguing. I’ve learned how AI can enhance the user experience by automating tasks like creating templates and reminders, making the invoicing process seamless and efficient. Balancing user needs with business goals through AI integration has been a rewarding challenge.​
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Be sure to checkout the process for Billo below:​