Background:
At Cohley, I led the design of a new feature for our influencer marketplace platform, which had already proven successful in connecting brands and creators. While adoption was strong, research revealed a major gap: brands had no clear way to measure the return on investment from influencer content. Without performance data, decision-making was largely guesswork. I saw this as an opportunity to extend the platform’s value proposition by giving companies real visibility into content-driven conversions.
Challenge:
The core challenge was to design and deliver a feature that would let brands not only track but also compare the effectiveness of influencer-generated content. This required balancing technical complexity with a seamless user experience, while ensuring that the data surfaced would be actionable for both brands and creators.
My Approach:
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User Research & Insight Gathering
I conducted in-depth interviews with brand stakeholders, surfacing the recurring pain point: while they trusted influencers, they lacked proof of impact. This research shaped the foundation of the new feature. -
Cross-Functional Leadership
I collaborated closely with product managers, engineers, and data analysts, aligning on scope and feasibility. I facilitated whiteboard sessions where we mapped flows, prioritized requirements, and defined what “success” looked like from a user perspective. -
Design & Prototyping
I owned the end-to-end design process. I created wireframes and prototypes to visualize A/B testing, unique tracking URLs, and custom conversion goals. Usability testing with brand partners validated the concept, and I iterated quickly to ensure an intuitive experience. -
Feature Implementation
Working alongside engineering, I helped define technical requirements, especially around integrating third-party analytics and ensuring tracking was both accurate and privacy-compliant. -
Rollout & Adoption
I designed the onboarding materials and tutorials that guided brands through the new feature, increasing adoption. I also partnered with support and customer success teams to make sure early users had a smooth experience.
Results:
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Successfully launched a conversion tracking and A/B testing tool that gave brands measurable insights into influencer ROI.
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Brands could now optimize campaigns based on performance data, leading to higher retention and engagement on the platform.
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Influencers benefited as well, receiving feedback that allowed them to adapt content strategies to better serve brand partners.
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The feature strengthened Cohley’s competitive position as a marketplace that not only connects brands with creators but also proves business impact.
Key Takeaways:
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Identifying and validating user pain points early ensured we solved the right problem.
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Facilitating collaboration between design, product, and engineering kept the solution technically feasible and user-focused.
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Clear onboarding and support materials were just as critical as the feature itself to drive adoption.
- Providing comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and support is crucial for successful feature adoption and user satisfaction.
Impact:
By spearheading this initiative, I helped Cohley evolve from a collaboration platform into a results-driven marketplace, directly contributing to customer satisfaction and retention while reinforcing the company’s reputation for innovation.
