Sote Hub is a leading Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) and a strong voice in the Blue Economy sector in Kenya and East Africa. Based at the Kenyan Coast in Mombasa, our mission is to grow a viable pipeline of ocean and inland water startups into industry leaders.
The goal was to design an engaging, user-friendly website that reflects Sote Hub’s mission and connects with its diverse audience.
Sote Hub needed a strong digital presence to better serve its community, showcase programs, and share success stories. With no existing website, the challenge was to build a platform that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and effectively communicates Sote Hub’s value proposition.
Make information on programs and resources easily accessible that caters to entrepreneurs (youth, women, and rural communities), investors, and policymakers with varying levels of digital literacy.
Clearly communicate Sote Hub's mission, programs, and success stories to attract startups, partners, and donors which will build credibility and inspire visitors.
Encourage applications for incubation/acceleration programs, event registrations (e.g., Blue Economy Innovation Summit), and partnerships.
Incorporate the cultural and economic nuances of Kenya’s coastal region while maintaining a professional, modern aesthetic.
Conducted interviews with 15 stakeholders, including MSMEs, youths, and Sote Hub staff, to understand user needs and pain points.
Users prioritized access to information on upcoming programs and events. They wanted a clear way to connect with Sote Hub and learn about success stories.
Analyzed websites of similar ESOs (e.g., AfriLabs, iHub) to identify industry best practices and gaps. This helped in positioning Sote Hub uniquely in the market with a focus on community impact.
Created personas representing the primary users: young entrepreneurs, MSME owners, and partners, each with distinct needs and goals, guiding the design decisions.
Problem: Users need immediate understanding of Sote Hub's credibility and impact. Solution: Prominent statistics display (800+ MSMEs, 300+ startups, 3+ years) with clear value proposition.
Problem:Blue Economy concept unfamiliar to many potential entrepreneurs. Solution:Dedicated sections explaining each focus area with local context and opportunities.
Problem:Building trust with diverse stakeholder groups. Solution: Comprehensive testimonials section and extensive partner logo showcase demonstrating credibility.
Problem: Different user types need different information. Solution: Clear categorization allowing farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors to find relevant content quickly.
Achieved a 50% increase in user engagement within the first month, measured by time spent on key pages and interactions with CTAs.
Reduced bounce rate by 30% compared to initial expectations, indicating improved user satisfaction.
Users highlighted the website's ease of use, appealing design, and effective communication of Sote Hub’s impact.
Notable increase in sign-ups for events and programs.
Effective user-centered design approach led to a highly functional and engaging platform. Collaboration across teams was key to the successful launch.
The most significant challenge was aligning design with performance optimization without compromising visual appeal, which was overcome through strategic content prioritization.
Early and iterative user testing is critical. Small design adjustments, based on user feedback, significantly improved the overall experience.
This project exemplified the power of a user-centered approach in designing impactful digital experiences. It reinforced my passion for creating products that not only meet business goals but also genuinely connect with users.