User Journey Map Definition and Methods to Create: First Step in Business
Starting a business is a crucial decision we need to make. It requires comprehension and understanding of every detail, risk, and opportunity we need to bear in mind. Our first step in doing the job can define and direct the flow of the journey. The business world is crucial and broad. That is why I need to take the first step, a simple and huge stage. Maybe some of you wonder what the first step we need to take is? That is the reason why this post is suitable for you. The first step in throwing ourselves into the business world is knowing the experience of our users, consumers, and customers. That act can be possible using a User Journey Maps, or others may call it Customer Journey.
In line with that, we will know the definition of a User Journey Map in this post. We will also give you a great example to fully understand what it is all about. In addition, be ready because we will also learn how to create one using one of the excellent User Journey Mapping Tool- the MindOnMap. Without further discussion, we shall now explore the existence of a User Journey Map through definition, importance, and process to make one.
- Part 1. What is User Journey Map
- Part 2. Why User Journey Maps are Important
- Part 3. User Journey Map Examples
- Part 4. How to Create a User Journey Map
- Part 5. FAQs about User Journey Map
Part 1. What is User Journey Map
This tactic from one of the most remarkable people in business teaches us what to do first in the business world. The mind behind Apple Company says we need to start with the customer's experience and grind back for the technology. That means we need to prioritise the customer or user experience before anything else. One of the best ways is creating a User Journey Map, or sometimes, some people call it a Customer Journey Map.
User Journey Map serves as the visual representation of a user's experience with your product or brand. That only means its visualisation tells a story about how a particular consumer acts through each place of interaction and experiences each area. It is also essential to include the touchpoints and what is real. Moreover, the feelings and emotions of your potential customer are also included here.
A great user Journey Map is possible by gathering information from your customer. Doing research for a target audience is also the best way to understand their needs, decisions, their wants, and more. For that, a well-researched and well-constructed User Journey Map can give us beautiful ideas in improving our business' customer experience.
To sum it all up, the definition of a User Journey Map is having a proper understanding of our customers. This element proposes to provide drastic developments and changes with our businesses. One of its essences is that it gives us direction on what to do with our errands. It can also be an essential factor that can bring tremendous improvements to our business. However, aside from that, more things can be offered for all of us.
Part 2. Why User Journey Maps are Important
User Journey Maps are an essential part of a business plan. As we know, it is one of the substantial first steps with establishing a business. It shows us the importance of user experience in this field. Straightforward, User Journey Maps are essential to give tremendous change and improvements to our businesses. Remember, the purpose of User Journey Maps is to understand our customers. As we know, our customer's journey can provide elements that can increase our revenue in connection with marketing.
To specify all of these, here are a few importance of a User Journey Map for all of us.
◆ It can increase your business's engagement with the customer and potential consumers.
◆ The element can bring drastic improvement to a company or brand.
◆ It helps us to have effective marketing campaigns to target customers.
◆ The map prevents shrinking sales cycles.
Part 3. User Journey Map Examples
As we get to know more about User Journey Maps, here are different examples with a brief definition and classification to understand the meaning and purpose of the User Journey Map.
Leadfeeder
This kind of User Journey Map shows the companies who visit a website. That is why it is a website User Journey Map example. Those companies using this have the mission to bring web intelligence into their business. This User Journey Map is the following way that turns the discovery into Sales and retention. Leadfeeder also enables us to identify our customer's goals, assets, touchpoints, channels, success, and more.
Dapper Apps
Dapper Apps' User Journey Map possesses five phases: the Research, Comparison, Workshop, Quote, and sign-off. That is why it is one of the unique maps existing. This kind of map comes from the Australian-based mobile app developers company. These developers specialise in the designs and developments of Apple Products such as iPhone and iPad.
Elevated Third
Elevated Third helps us understand how to use a User Journey Map with the real estate industry to develop our business. On the other hand, this map has six distinctive phases: design, financing, construction, leasing, model, and completion. This kind of User Journey Map is more grainy yet effective in showing how a customer goes through in the relationship.
Part 4. How to Create a User Journey Map
MindOnMap
After knowing the definition and essence of the User Journey Map, we shall see how to create a map. But before that, we need to know one of the best tools we can use to create one. In line with that, we want to introduce you to MindOnMap. This software is a free User Journey Mapping Tool for everyone. That means everyone can use and access this through their web browser. Let us talk about its features as an overview of this tool. MindOnMap can tell us what User Journey Mapping is in design thinking. If you do not know, MindOnMap is an all-in-one thinking map. It exists to help us design and organise our ideas in our cognitive minds. All of these come with creativity. In addition, this software is also an excellent tool with features; kindly take a look below the main features it possesses.
Secure Download
Secure Download
Main Features
◆ Tool for creating customizable templates.
◆ Awesome icons.
◆ Supports adding pictures and links.
◆ Note-taking.
◆ Speech/Article outline creator.
◆ Project management tool.
◆ Work/Life planner.
Steps in Creating User Journey Map using MindOnMap
We can now see the great tool we can use to create a User Journey Map. That is why, in this portion, let us try to know the simple steps in creating a User Journey Map. We will see how to create the most infamous design on the User Journey Map. To be more specific, let us make Switching mobile plans.
Go to the MindOnMap website to access the tool you will need. Then select the New to proceed to the MindOnMap feature.
Then, you will now see the elements and icons you will need for your map. In the middle part, you will also see the Main Node. That will serve as your starting point in creating a map.
Click the Main Node, remain it with what you want. Then, it will enable you to have access to the element you will need. You can add Node or Sub Nodes. These elements will serve as symbolism for the details you will add.
You may also add images on a map for additional visuals. Locate the Image at the top portion of the software. Then, select the Image you want to add to your map.
Additional tips: You may also modify each Node's colours for a more presentable map. Click the Style on the right corner and find the list's color icon.
To save your work, kindly click the Export at the top right portion of the interface. From there, select the file format you want for your outputs.
Further Reading
Part 5. FAQs about User Journey Map
What is the difference between a Customer Journey Map vs. a User Journey Map?
User Journey Map is a great map that we can improve our businesses. However, some people class it as a Customer Journey Map. As we all know, User and Customer might be the same in the field of business but still possess a difference. Users are more used to a company that offers services like software and websites. On the other hand, customers are more commercialists like fast food and more. Moreover, the two are just the same.
What is User Journey Mapping in design thinking?
User Journey Map uses a different map to see the relationship between the customer and the organisation. Through the use of this, we will be able to see the expectations of every consumer. On the other hand, we will be able to see the elements we need to improve your business.
How does User Flow vs. Journey Map differ from each other?
User Journey Map provides a macro perspective of the communication between the customer and the organisation. In comparison, User Flow's goal is to have a Micro-level and give us the particular steps we need to bear in mind.
Conclusion
A User Journey Map is important for business. That is why this article exists to help us in making it possible. We can see here the great tool - MindOnMap - we can use and the steps we need to take for creating a User Journey Map. In the end, we may know the importance of a user experience in one’s business.
