Robo-Advisor
Optimizing the Usability and Accessibility of a Digital Robo-Advisor
Introduction
As digital financial services continue to evolve, Robo-Advisors have become an essential tool for users looking to make investment decisions efficiently. However, the accessibility and usability of these platforms play a crucial role in ensuring that a wide range of users—including those with limited financial knowledge or disabilities—can successfully navigate and utilize them. This case study focuses on UX research aimed at improving the usability and accessibility of a Robo-Advisor platform, ensuring a seamless, inclusive experience for all users.
Role
UI/UX Designer
Client
Investment advisory
(NDA)
Duration
2 months
The Problem
Navigating investment platforms can be challenging, especially for users unfamiliar with financial terminology, individuals with disabilities, or those who prefer simplified digital interactions. Many struggle with complex onboarding processes, unclear decision-making steps, and inaccessible design elements, leading to frustration or abandonment of the platform.
Without an intuitive and accessible interface, users are forced to rely on trial and error, external assistance, or multiple visits to complete their investment setup. Existing solutions often fail to provide clear guidance, accessible design, and user-friendly interactions, making it difficult for a diverse user base to engage with Robo-Advisors effectively.
This UX case study addresses these issues by identifying key usability pain points and providing UI recommendations that enhance accessibility, improve clarity in decision-making, and ensure a frictionless investment experience.
UCD Process
Research and Analysis
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I conducted remote usability research to assess the accessibility and usability of the Robo-Advisor platform. My approach combined automated evaluation tools and user testing via Chrome extensions to identify barriers and test improvements.
Through:
Browser-based accessibility testing using Chrome extensions like WAVE, NoCoffee, and Funkify to simulate various disabilities,
Remote usability testing with participants navigating the Robo-Advisor under different simulated impairments,
Competitor benchmarking to assess accessibility best practices in similar financial platforms,
I gathered key insights into interaction challenges, usability pain points, and WCAG compliance gaps. Additionally, I analyzed how assistive technologies interact with investment decision-making steps to ensure an inclusive, user-friendly experience.
User research: Interviews & Survey
I conducted remote usability testing and a survey with 30 participants to understand behaviors, challenges, and preferences related to Robo-Advisors. The research focused on identifying key pain points, accessibility barriers, and usability challenges to create an intuitive and inclusive experience.
Goals:
Identify the biggest challenges in using Robo-Advisors for diverse user groups.
Understand how users navigate investment platforms and make financial decisions.
Determine expectations for accessible financial tools and AI-driven recommendations.
Assess the importance of screen-reader support, keyboard navigation, and adaptive UI elements.
Explore the role of simplified onboarding and transparent risk assessment.
Findings from Interviews and Surveys
INTERVIEW INSIGHT #1
Users struggle with unclear onboarding steps
Many users found the initial onboarding process confusing due to unclear instructions and financial jargon. This resulted in high drop-off rates, as users felt overwhelmed by complex terminology and a lack of guided steps.
INTERVIEW INSIGHT #2
Lack of accessibility features hinders usability
Users with visual impairments and motor disabilities struggled due to insufficient screen reader support and lack of keyboard navigation. Low contrast ratios further impacted readability, making the platform difficult to use for those with visual impairments.
INTERVIEW INSIGHT #3
Users find risk assessment questions confusing
Many beginner investors reported uncertainty about risk assessment questions, stating that the wording was too technical and lacked explanations. Users expressed a need for simplified, real-world examples to help them understand the impact of their risk tolerance choices.
INTERVIEW INSIGHT #4
Overloaded dashboards cause information overload
Experienced investors found the dashboard cluttered, making it difficult to quickly locate important data. They preferred a customizable interface where they could prioritize relevant investment insights while minimizing unnecessary complexity.
INTERVIEW INSIGHT #5
Forms lack clear error messaging
Several users encountered difficulties with form submissions due to unclear error messages. They often had to guess what was wrong, leading to frustration and abandoned sessions. They emphasized the need for real-time, descriptive feedback when entering data.
UCD Process
User Personas
The research revealed diverse user needs in navigating investment platforms and financial decision-making. To address this, I created user personas capturing demographics, investment behaviors, and pain points to guide a user-centered design.
Persona’s
UI Recommendations
Based on the research findings, I developed a series of UI recommendations to enhance accessibility, simplify navigation, and improve the overall user experience. These recommendations focus on addressing key pain points, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards, and streamlining the investment process for all users.
1. Enhanced Accessibility Compliance
Implement ARIA labels for better screen reader compatibility.
Ensure keyboard navigation is fully functional for all form inputs and navigation menus.
Improve color contrast ratios to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Provide real-time error feedback in forms with clear, descriptive error messages.
2. Simplified Onboarding & Investment Process
Introduce progressive disclosure, ensuring users only see necessary information at each step.
Offer plain-language explanations for financial terminology to support beginner investors.
Add visual indicators and tooltips to guide users through risk assessment.
3. Optimized Form & Navigation Design
Replace lengthy forms with bite-sized input sections to reduce cognitive load.
Enable autosave functionality to prevent frustration from lost progress.
Provide alternative text for all images and infographics to assist visually impaired users.
UCD Process
The Solution
The redesigned Robo-Advisory platform simplifies investment decision-making and accessibility through a structured, user-friendly interface. Users can seamlessly navigate onboarding, access tailored investment insights, and interact with an accessible design that supports diverse user needs.
With enhanced accessibility features, guided risk assessment, and an optimized dashboard, the platform helps users gain confidence in investing, reduce cognitive load, and ensure a seamless financial experience—all in one intuitive system.
Accessibility & Code Adjustments
To address the accessibility issues identified in the research, I implemented several key adjustments in the platform's code:
ARIA Labels & Landmarks: Added descriptive aria-label attributes to navigation, buttons, and form fields to ensure screen reader compatibility.
Tab Index Optimization: Adjusted tabindex values for logical navigation order, allowing seamless interaction for keyboard users.
Contrast Enhancements: Improved contrast ratios on buttons, text, and charts to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
Error Messaging Improvements: Implemented real-time error feedback in forms with clear, descriptive alerts to guide users in correcting mistakes.
Keyboard Navigation Support: Enabled full keyboard control for all interactive elements, ensuring accessibility for users with motor impairments.
Alternative Text for Visuals: Provided meaningful alt text for all icons, charts, and infographics to enhance screen reader usability.
Dynamic Tooltips: Integrated tooltips explaining complex financial terms in simple language to assist beginner investors.
Reflection & Learnings
The way people approach investment platforms and financial decision-making is evolving—not just for accessibility, but for transparency, user control, and ease of use. This Robo-Advisory platform embraces this shift, leveraging user-centered design to improve onboarding, accessibility, and guided investment selection.
Following a research-driven design approach, I conducted usability tests, surveys, and accessibility audits to shape key features and interaction flows. However, iteration is key—balancing automation with user control and flexibilitywas a crucial challenge. Many users preferred customizable dashboards and manual adjustments, reinforcing the need for personalization in financial experiences.
If More Time Was Available...
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Further refinement of AI-driven investment recommendations for more tailored insights.
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Enhanced educational tooltips, providing real-world financial examples for beginners.
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Voice-assisted navigation for hands-free investment guidance and accessibility support.
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AI-powered risk analysis simulations, allowing users to visualize investment outcomes.
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Interactive community features, enabling users to share investment strategies and insights.
Project Learnings
#1 Simplicity is key
Designing an accessible financial product means balancing automation with usability. Overcomplicating features can overwhelm users, so prioritizing intuitive navigation and progressive disclosure is crucial.
#2 Prioritize the MVP
Focusing on core functionalities and delivering an MVP helped maintain clarity and prevent feature creep. Having a structured approach ensured a high-quality, testable product within the given timeframe.
#3 Continuous feedback drives better outcomes
Early and frequent usability testing was essential in refining the platform. User feedback helped eliminate friction points, improve clarity, and enhance engagement throughout the design process.
This Robo-Advisory platform is just the beginning of how user-centered financial tools can evolve. Moving forward, the focus will be on expanding AI capabilities, enhancing accessibility features, and refining investment personalization to empower users in making informed financial decisions.
Through UX research and accessibility improvements, I optimized the Robo-Advisory platform to create a more inclusive, user-friendly investment experience. The key takeaways from this study highlight the importance of designing for clarity, accessibility, and guided interactions in financial platforms.
Next Steps:
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Conduct A/B testing to validate improvements in usability and accessibility.
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Develop an interactive prototype for further usability testing with diverse user groups.
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Implement real-time accessibility monitoring tools to ensure compliance with evolving standards.
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