Highlights from automated cycling route app
Summary
When I couldn't find a cycling app that did what I wanted, I decided to build it myself. After recruiting another like-minded enthusiast, we set out to create Svper. We built a functioning beta and I user-tested it extensively with early access users. Shown below are some design highlights. As with any business, the function of design was to rapidly learn and create something people love. Because it was a new project, design also focused on filling the top of the funnel. We shut Svper down in March 2024.
Team
Full-Stack Developer
Role
Product Design, CEO, Product Manager, F-E Developer
Impact
Found and recruited enthusiast to work with me for free
Drove 375+ early access sign-ups with <$100
Achieved $0.29 cost to acquire (CAC)
Web App
The key differentiator of Svper is its ability to automatically create routes with just a starting location and distance. This fixes two core issues with route planning apps: 1) cyclists want to spend time riding not planning and 2) if you don't know where to put pins, the algorithms will force you onto unsuitable paths. Below is the result of many product design iterations based on surveys, interviews, and user tests.
View Figma prototype
Paid Ads
After experimenting with recruiting users from various forums, I was convinced this was something people other than myself wanted. With only $100, I was able to get 341 early access sign-ups. These sign-ups were further validation of the product's potential, unit economics, acquisition channel, among other things.
Landing Page
Using the low-code tool Webflow, I built the website from scratch to generate early access sign-ups. I created the images in the hero section's live carousel using the generative AI tool Midjourney. I also experimented with ChatGPT to organize the page and provide ideas for highlighting relevant features. The carousel's AI-generated images and the scroll effects were the part I was proudest of.
svpercycling.com is no longer online; the screenshots below are what it looked like.
Design System
Design systems create the foundation for clean, organized, scalable product design, not to mention efficiency gains and cost savings with implementation. Below are a few assets from the Figma library I created for Svper.
Brand Assets
Since Svper was a personal project, I also used it as an avenue to explore new tools, techniques, and styles. Based on survey responses, changes in cycling culture with gravel and crit racing, and my own desire, I decided to take a slightly funky and alternative approach to the brand. Below are some experiments with the Svper logo using generative AI.
Other Acquisition Channels
Blog
I set up a blog as a free acquisition channel and to practice my writing skills. I enjoyed experimenting with content creation for Svper whether it's blogging, photography for Instagram, or videography and storytelling for TikTok.
SEO Landing Pages
Since Svper generates routes algorithmically, independent of a heatmap, we had an interesting opportunity to acquire users through SEO landing pages. Rather than competing with other products for SEO positioning of the best routes in major cities, we could automatically create routes for all non-major cities and rural towns. That would have let us capture the very long tail of cyclists in locations outside of the biggest cities.
Impact
Found and recruited enthusiast to work with me for free
Drove 375+ early access sign-ups with <$100
Achieved $0.29 cost to acquire (CAC)