Sheetz App Critique
Sheetz App Critique
Sheetz is a gas station
with a twist; it has the typical convenience store you
associate with most gas stations, but the twist is their Sheetz Made to Order.
Every Sheetz store has a fully equipped fast-food kitchen and touchscreens for
customers to order an endless combination of their favorite treats. However,
customers can have the convenience of the store brought to them through their
phone with the Sheetz app. The app is linked to the My Sheetz Rewards card,
which gives customers incentives to shop by earning points for free food, gas
discounts, and more. Below is a critique of the app based on usability, design,
and functionality, followed by recommendations for possible improvements.
Usability
The app is easy to learn,
and customers familiar with the in-store order point will find that the app
utilizes the same features. Using the same user interface in-store and on the
app makes it efficient for users to remember where to find all their favorite
items. The app also allows first-time users to navigate easily with a table of
contents listed at the bottom of the screen with simple icons. A screenshot of
the home screen of the app is provided in Figure 1. The app's primary function
is to allow users to order specialty items from the kitchen. On the home
screen, three different buttons enable users to navigate to the order menu. The
app even allows users to reorder previously selected options for ease of use.
Once the user navigates to the menu, a search bar is available to assist users
in finding different items.
Figure 1: Sheetz. (2023) App Home Screen. [Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app
Design
Sheetz often represents the company in red and bright neon green. These same colors are featured throughout the app. This allows the users to recognize the company immediately. Information on the home screen is organized with chunking. Chunking allows the user to view related information and links with white space to separate the next topic of information. (Merkel, 2017, p.259). The table of contents is prominent at the bottom of the screen with its black background with white lettering drawing the users' attention to it. Other pages on the app use the same theme that applies chunking to distinguish different options. The order page allows you to scroll down to view all options, or there are links at the top of the screen for quick access to the different categories listed on the page. A screenshot of the ordering screen for a made-to-order burger showcasing the links to allow users to locate information quickly is listed in Figure 2.
Functionality
The app loads quickly.
All content is displayed correctly. Navigating from one page to the next is
seamless. Users can easily select the Sheetz location of their choice and order
items with the ability to have pick-up available immediately or at a set time.
Once an order is placed, the user can view this order to see that it was
successfully submitted. The overall functionality is a success. However, one
link for 'terms and conditions' sends the user to an error page. The error is
listed as 404, meaning the page is not found. A screenshot of this issue is
provided in Figure 3.
Recommendations
·
The app should utilize a page for frequently asked
questions under the 'more' menu on the home screen. Sheetz has this information
listed on their website. However, it is not available on the app. Providing this
information on the app would assist customers with standard questions usually
addressed in the stores.
·
A common issue with the app is customers placing orders at
the wrong store location. Sheetz typically has several stores within proximity
to each other. Customers traveling need clarification about the nearest
location or what store to select. This often results in customers ordering at
one place and driving to a different site. A screenshot of the app showing
stores nearby is provided in Figure 4. This issue could be solved by providing
a link to a map of each location. Additionally, the app could support
directions to each location to ensure the user finds the correct place.
·
When customers place orders on the app, the orders are
placed on an online mobile order rack within the store upon completion.
However, orders placed on the order points within the stores are handed out at
a pick-up counter within the store. This becomes confusing for customers. Often,
app users wait at the pick-up counter for orders that have already been
completed and sit at the mobile order rack. To rectify this issue, when orders
are submitted through the app, the user should receive a message to alert them
to look for the order at the mobile rack.
In conclusion, the
Sheetz app has excellent usability, allowing users to place online orders
effectively and efficiently. The app's design features the company's logos and
colors in an inviting theme displayed throughout the pages. The functionality
of the app has proven to be productive. Altogether, the app accomplishes what
it is meant for in a customer-friendly fashion.
References
Frequently Asked Questions. (2023) Sheetz. https://orders.sheetz.com/FAQ
Markel, M. (2017). Technical communication (12th ed.). Boston, MA:
Bedford/St. Martin's.
Retrieved from https://www.vitalsource.com
Sheetz. (2023) App Home Screen.
[Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app
Sheetz. (2023) App Ordering Screen.
[Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app
Sheetz. (2023) App Store Selection
Page. [Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app
Sheetz. (2023) Error Page.
[Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app
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