Standard Bank's API Marketplace is a platform that provides developers with various APIs to create innovative applications and digital experiences. This marketplace is designed to foster collaboration among creators, consumers, and partners, aiding in the development of new solutions for business needs. It's an important initiative for developers, offering networking opportunities with potential investors and business partners.
Standard Bank, as Africa's largest lender by assets, aims to expand this venture across the continent, establishing the platform as a primary hub for developers, clients, and business partners. The API Marketplace is also a way for Standard Bank to showcase its products and services, contributing to technological innovations that benefit society and the economy
The API Marketplace needed to undergo a UX audit to enhance its usability and expand it to a wider market. There was also a need to clarify the terms used in the industry.
The purpose of this study was to:
The methodology involved developing a prototype and a detailed user-testing script. This included a Competency-Based Questionnaire to gauge service usability, an API Central Questionnaire for understanding daily workflow integration, Card Sorting to reveal user perceptions of API categorization, and a Prototype Questionnaire focusing on API usage scenarios.
A mix of 10 technical and non-technical users from various professional backgrounds participated in the virtual sessions, providing a comprehensive view of user experiences.
The interviews were carried out virtually over Microsoft Teams. Each session lasted for an hour.
Key findings highlighted user difficulties in understanding API products, the mismatch between user expectations and the marketplace’s offerings, and the challenges faced in navigating through the platform. It also included specific feedback on the interface, with suggestions for improvement.