K–12 Photo Ordering Experience (Lifetouch)

Background and Context

Datasite is a leading platform for M&A professionals. Before this project, users logged in and were sent directly to the Projects page, which only showed their active deals. While additional tools and insights were available across the platform, they were often hidden unless users already knew where to find them. Stakeholders recognized an opportunity to improve visibility and drive engagement across Datasite’s broader product ecosystem.

Problem Framing

Most users had one or two active projects and rarely explored beyond them. While the Apps tab was available in the global navigation, Pendo data showed that users with 1 to 2 projects often didn’t engage with it. As a result, valuable apps and platform content—such as Watermarking, PDF to Excel, and MergerLinks—went unnoticed. Without a homepage, the platform lacked a centralized space to guide users, promote discovery, and highlight new releases.

Design Approach

Guided by research and internal feedback, I designed a homepage that balanced familiarity with discovery. The layout prioritized immediate access to projects and apps while encouraging exploration of new tools and insights.

• The homepage featured:

• Quick access to recent projects and apps

• A personalized Recommended for You section

• Rotating modules for league tables, M&A news, and new features

I finalized the design in two weeks, using Material UI components to ensure design consistency and reduce engineering lift. I collaborated closely with product and engineering partners to define MVP scope and align on implementation timelines.

Final Designs

The homepage introduced four key content areas:

Recent Projects and Apps

Gave users direct access to active work without disrupting their flow

Recommended for You

Gave users direct access to active work without disrupting their flow

Latest in Dealmaking

Gave users direct access to active work without disrupting their flow

Explore New Features

Gave users direct access to active work without disrupting their flow

These modules created a unified experience that supported both task completion and product discovery. For example, the Recommended section helped drive X% more traffic to the Apps tab in the first month.

Outcome and Impact

• 7,400+ feature engagements

• 18,900+ new homepage visitors post-launch

• Strong stakeholder alignment on the homepage as a scalable entry point

• Foundation established for future personalization and app discovery strategies

Reflection

If I had more time, I would:

• Run usability testing with external users to validate which homepage content is most helpful

• Iterate on personalization rules to improve app recommendations

• Explore onboarding enhancements to guide new users toward underused features earlier

This project reinforced how strategic entry points can drive platform adoption. Even subtle shifts in how content is surfaced can unlock value and reveal tools that would otherwise go unseen.