How 58’s Apartment Platform Boosted User Appeal: A UX Case Study

When undertaking a project, defining the design goal is crucial because it determines whether the solution truly addresses product problems. The goal should not be based on assumed user needs, product directives, or arbitrary decisions; it must be derived from thorough research.

Understanding the Target Audience

Survey data shows that 58’s apartment users are predominantly young: 18‑25 year olds constitute the largest segment, followed by 26‑40 year olds. Compared with the overall 58 rental audience, apartment renters are younger, indicating a shift from purely cost‑effective choices to higher‑quality lifestyle preferences.

Market Insights

Industry analysis yields three key conclusions:

Leading apartment brands are expanding into second‑ and third‑tier cities.

Apartment offerings are increasingly segmented by distinct user groups.

Standardized long‑term rentals are becoming more prevalent as apartment standards mature.

Identified Problems

Structural issues: inaccurate information transmission, weak brand presence, and poor connection between demand and supply.

Visual issues: lack of brand cues in listings and minimal visual distinction between apartment and regular rental sections.

Competitive analysis confirms gaps with rivals.

Optimization Goals

The redesign focuses on two main objectives:

Better communicate the advantages of 58’s apartments to users.

Enable quality‑focused renters to quickly locate their ideal homes.

Design Solutions

Page-level improvements include:

Adding a brand showcase area at the top of the apartment category page to convey 58’s apartment brand philosophy and host major promotions.

Refining the “golden” icon with more detail and realism while staying within 58’s color palette.

Introducing personalized recommendation cards in the mid‑section to suggest segmented apartment listings.

For the standalone apartment detail page, major changes are:

First‑time recommendation of apartments by layout type.

Dynamic page structure based on users’ browsing paths.

Different display strategies for apartments of varying tiers.

Visual enhancements aim to strengthen brand perception, make information more intuitive, and increase realism.

Conclusion

Effective problem‑solving requires deep industry immersion, thorough understanding of the product and its users, clear definition of the issues to address, and creative ideation. This approach not only adds value to the designer but also helps the product solve real challenges.