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.


Figure 2: Sheetz. (2023) App Ordering Screen. [Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app

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.


Figure 3: Sheetz. (2023) Error Page. [Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app

 

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.


Figure 4: Sheetz. (2023) App Store Selection Page. [Screenshot]. https://www.sheetz.com/app

 

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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