3. Problem definition
Every year, lots of Mainland
China students apply for
the universities in Hong
Kong. After receiving the
admission, many of them
are faced with the problem
of finding roommates to
share an apartment in Hong
Kong as universities
dormitories are quite limited
and the cost of house rent
in Hong Kong is pretty high.
2
4. Problem definition
Small private room and
limited public space can
easily lead to strained
relationship between
roommates. If roommates
donât fit each other well,
conflicts may happens.
And it will greatly influence
their life-quality and study
conditions.
3
5. Project objective
This project aims at
helping Mainland China
students find suitable
roommates according to
their personality, life style
and other daily issues.
We hope we can create a
platform to facilitate the
roommate-matching
process and help these
students prepare
themselves well before
going to Hong Kong.
4
6. User segmentation
⢠After doing user research, we found that user behavior
varies according to the starting time he/she decides to
find a roommate/ house. So we concluded 5 typical user
types by the starting time.
5
From Feb
From May
From Jun
From Jul
From Aug
Deadline: Sep
7. 5 Types of Persona
Wendy
Eric
Monica Mary
Lenard
6
8. Wendy
âI received my offer very early (January, 2013 ). So I have
abundant of time to find a roommate. Since Iâm not hurry, I
can take my time to join different QQ groups and Douban
groups to meet my future schoolmates or classmates. I
also leave my personal information on Gter.com so other
students can contact me directly. I want to make friends
first. Given a time I can find the one that fit me well. Then I
can consider she to be my roommates.â
2014 CUHK
MA in Art
Starting time: Feb
7
9. I get connected to a CUHK student who is going to graduate
this year, and I decided to take over her apartment. Since the
apartment do not require full year payments, I paid 1 month
rent first as earnest money in May, and decided to sign
the apartment in July.
Roommate relationship matters a lot to my life quality in
Hong Kong. Since I already got the apartment, I have plenty
of time to choose a good roommate.
I post detailed information about the apartment and also my
requirements of the roommates on Geter.com. I left my email
and QQ to let people contact me.
Monica
8
2014 CUHK
MA in Communication
Starting time: May
10. I start to find roommates in early June like many students
else. My buddy in high school has already be my first
roommate. Both of us are easy-going, we just want to find
other two friendly guys. I love to plan. As there still plenty of
time, we would like to go to Hong Kong in mid June to find
an ideal flat ourselves. So we wish our future roommates
can go with us together then we can make a quick decision.
I post our plan on Gter and QQ groups hoping to get some
oneâs reply.
Eric
9
2014 PolyU
Master of Engineering
Starting time: Jun
11. 10
2014 HKBU
Master of Language
Starting time: Jul
I am lucky enough to find two roommates and a desired
apartment through social media and forum in July. It seems
that after viewing the house and paying the rental,
everything will be settled. Unfortunately, one of my
roommates stands me up and leave without any message.
I try to connect but cannot reach her. I feel annoyed, sad
and anxious. Considering the annual rental fee is a big deal
of money, I need to find another roommate to sign the
apartment ASAP.
Mary
12. âI kind of have procrastination.I receive my offer very early
(late December, 2012), but I did not look for roommates or
apartment until August. I am now quite worried about that.
Now my only wish is to find a place to live and several
roommates that are OK to live with. â
Lenard
2014 HKUST
Master of Material Science
Starting time: Aug
11
13. Target user for Roomie v1.0
⢠Since this website will
launch on Apr, we
mainly focus on
students who ready to
find roommates before/
on Apr.
⢠Early adopters: like
Wendy and Monica
12
Wendy
Monica
14. Customer journey of Lenard--before
Early
August
Mid
August
Late August Before
school attendance
Control
Realized it was
time to look for
roommates and
apartment but
have no idea
where to find
them.
Mood: relaxed
and happy
Cannot find a
roommate or an
apartment himself
online or offline due
to the late timing.
Mood: a litter
anxious but still
have slow moves.
Ask for help from
friends and
relatives
Mood: anxious
Find three locals
and have no
other choices.
Mood: happy
15. Customer journey of Lenard--after
Early June Mid June Late June July Mid July
When it is
about the time
to look for
apartment, the
app will push
info. to remind
him.
He may have
realized to look
for roommates
in the early
June.
Mood: happy
and relaxed
Find
roommates on
Roomie.
Or ignore the
info.
Go to see the
apartment found
on Roomie
together with
roommates.
Sign the
contract.
Or still do not
take actions.
Enjoy the
summer holiday.
Or find it is a little
late to find a ideal
roommate.
Enjoy the
summer holiday.
Look for
roommates on
Roomie and join
people who have
already have the
apartment. Have
the choice of
selecting
roommates even
it is very late.
23. Free user
Advertiser
and marketer
Pay user
Same-side
network
effects
Same-side
network
effects
Website, App,
Wechat
Ads page
Website, App,
Wechat
Fundamental
service
Display ADs
Premium
service
Platform
development
Data center
operations
management
Student Union
University
Agencies
Data
processor
Content
provider
Roomie
platform
Website
Product
development
General
administration
Web
hosting cost Free AD revenue
Payment
revenue
Business model
