To redefine what’s possible, I’ve chosen to focus on the Ria mobile app screen — a pivotal touchpoint in the user journey.
While the mobile and web versions differ in UX/UI nuances, every detail matters, and I’m leaving no stone unturned. The spotlight is on the Calculator screen and its related elements, a crucial area where clarity and simplicity can spark transformation. This focused approach allows me to dive deep, examining the task from all angles to uncover opportunities for a more seamless, intuitive, and impactful experience.
In 2024, the leading apps for international money transfers include Wise, Revolut, Remitly, XE, WorldRemit, and Ria Money Transfer. These platforms stand out for their transparency, competitive exchange rates, and fast delivery — setting the benchmark for user trust and simplicity.
I explored the most popular global money transfer apps through ChatGPT, Google, and App Store research — uncovering the UX patterns and design strategies that make them so intuitive. By comparing Wise’s real-time exchange rates, Revolut’s multi-currency experience, and Remitly’s instant transfers, I identified what makes their user journeys seamless. The mission was clear: to apply these best practices and craft a design for Ria that simplifies every step, builds confidence, and drives lasting engagement.
Based on the analysis of leading money transfer apps and Ria’s current calculator, I focused on simplifying the experience and increasing trust. The goal was to make transfers faster, clearer, and more intuitive — turning a routine process into a seamless flow.
Key improvements and their estimated impact on conversion include clearer destination selection (+3–5%), which prevents mistakes and reduces cognitive load; a simplified payment and receiving flow (+5–10%) that displays only two main amounts — sending and receiving — for faster understanding and decision-making; delivery time visibility (+5–10%) that builds confidence the transfer will arrive safely and on time; and quick access to recent transfers (+5–10%), helping regular users save time and reduce drop-offs. Together, these enhancements could deliver a total conversion increase of +13–25%*, driven by greater clarity, transparency, and speed — turning everyday transactions into a smoother, more confident experience. (*Research by Baymard Institute and Google UX shows that clear, transparent interfaces and early access to key details can boost conversion rates by up to 35%)
The redesigned flow focuses on clarity and simplicity. Users start by selecting the destination country, entering the amount, and choosing the transfer type — all within a clean, intuitive sequence that minimizes errors and speeds up decision-making.
After selecting the destination and currency, the sending amount appears alongside the country flag. The user then chooses the transfer method (for example, Card → Bank) and can change it if needed. Exchange rates, delivery time, and any applicable fees are displayed upfront for full transparency. The receiving amount is shown next, followed by a clear call to action — the Continue button to confirm and complete the transfer. Users with previous transactions can also select a recent transfer to prefill details and save time. Promo codes may appear to offer discounts or benefits, creating a faster, smoother, and more rewarding experience overall.
The heuristic evaluation of the current Ria Calculator shows strong visibility of key data — sending and receiving amounts, exchange rate, and currency flags. However, the absence of delivery time, unclear fee placement, and limited visual cues reduce clarity. The app allows flexible payment and receiving options, but the flow could be simplified and recent transfers added for greater efficiency and control.
In the redesigned UI, the focus is on consistency, readability, and visual balance. Light inputs on a light background create a cleaner, more modern look and reduce cognitive load compared to darker fields. This approach aligns with user habits and best practices from Google’s Material Design and NN Group research, showing that minimalist forms can improve completion rates by up to 15%. By refining input visibility, spacing, and hierarchy, the interface becomes more intuitive and aesthetically engaging. The goal is to transform a flat and functional design into one that feels effortless, dynamic, and fully aligned with Ria’s brand identity.
The New Updated Ria App Calculator
The new design was crafted with meticulous attention to the insights and recommendations outlined above. Every UX detail and nuance has been carefully considered. The UI was elevated to feel more refined and visually engaging, enhancing each element while remaining true to the brand’s identity and signature colors.
The updated Ria Calculator introduces a smoother, more intuitive experience. Every interaction feels effortless — from entering amounts to selecting countries or payment methods — with a clear visual hierarchy that builds trust and confidence.
Key improvements include quick access to recent transactions, intuitive country selection with smart search, and clear input fields emphasizing the sending and receiving amounts. Interactive elements such as country, payment, and transfer options are highlighted in blue, guiding user focus. Exchange rates are displayed prominently with guaranteed-rate messaging, while transparent fee and delivery-time details strengthen confidence. The promo code field remains subtle yet accessible, complemented by clear payment descriptions and consistent visual feedback. Green checkmarks signal security and success, and the signature orange highlights tie everything together — creating a consistent, elegant, and user-friendly experience.
Quick Research on the Target Audience.
I conducted a focused study with 140 participants on the Lyssna.com research platform to explore the strengths and weaknesses of both interfaces. This approach proved highly effective, delivering rapid and valuable insights. By emphasizing depth and clarity, the research revealed user preferences and key areas for improvement, providing a strong foundation for further development.
Target audience selection.
I analyzed the availability of the Ria app across different countries to gain a clear view of its global reach. In addition, I examined user demographics — focusing on age groups and device preferences — to better understand usage patterns and habits. By assessing users’ familiarity with financial services, I identified opportunities to design an experience that feels accessible to newcomers while remaining satisfying for experienced users, ensuring the app meets diverse needs effectively.
The research results showed that Interface #2 was preferred by 75% of participants, while Interface #1 received 20%, and 5% couldn’t decide. Users favored Interface #2 for its use of color, clear labels, and detailed information, while Interface #1 appealed for its simplicity and focus on the essentials. The few undecided participants noted that one design felt too minimal, while the other seemed slightly overloaded.
The study provided valuable insights into how users perceive complexity and clarity in financial interfaces. The detailed version of the Ria Calculator, which included recent transfers, was tested with first-time users — revealing both its potential and challenges. While participants appreciated the depth of information, some found the layout visually heavy. The next step is to balance richness with simplicity, refining the design to feel both informative and effortless. Incorporating these findings into future iterations will enhance usability, strengthen trust, and potentially drive a measurable increase in conversion and engagement.
Potential conversion growth: 5–15%. The shift from a minimal but limited interface (#1) to a more structured and informative design (#2) highlights how clarity drives confidence. Users feel more in control when key data—such as rates, delivery time, and transfer details—are easy to find and understand. With improved structure and usability, conversion rates are expected to rise, reflecting the direct impact of better design decisions.
UX research confirms that adding essential information, such as delivery times or transaction history, increases user trust and completion rates. A/B testing results from similar fintech and e-commerce platforms show conversion growth of 7–12% after enhancing clarity and navigation. By refining Ria’s interface around these insights, users gain a faster, simpler, and more reliable way to send money, while the company benefits from measurable business growth. It’s a balance of usability and strategy—creating an experience that feels effortless for users and delivers tangible results for the brand.
Next projects
Where design meets business growth
