What innovative features could MakeMyTrip add to its hotel reviews section to provide more valuable insights for travelers?

Introduction

To improve MakeMyTrip's hotel reviews section, we need to focus on providing more valuable insights for travelers. This involves enhancing the existing review system to offer more comprehensive, personalized, and actionable information. I'll outline a strategic approach to address this challenge, considering user needs, technological possibilities, and business objectives.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (5 mins)

• Looking at the product context, I'm thinking about the current state of MakeMyTrip's review system. Could you provide more information on the existing features and user engagement levels with the hotel reviews section?

Why it matters: Understanding the current state helps identify improvement areas and user pain points. Expected answer: Basic star ratings, text reviews, and photos with moderate engagement. Impact on approach: Would focus on enhancing existing features vs. introducing entirely new concepts.

• Considering user behavior, I'm curious about how travelers typically interact with reviews. Can you share any data on when in the booking process users tend to consult reviews and how this impacts their decision-making?

Why it matters: Determines the critical touchpoints for review integration in the user journey. Expected answer: Users often check reviews after initial search but before final booking. Impact on approach: Would prioritize features that aid in comparison and decision-making.

• Thinking about MakeMyTrip's position in the market, how does the company currently differentiate its review system from competitors like Booking.com or TripAdvisor?

Why it matters: Helps identify unique selling points and areas for potential innovation. Expected answer: Limited differentiation, mostly relying on quantity of reviews from Indian travelers. Impact on approach: Would focus on creating unique, value-added features to stand out in the market.

• Considering broader company objectives, are there any specific business goals or metrics that this improvement initiative should align with, such as increasing booking conversions or user engagement?

Why it matters: Ensures that proposed solutions contribute to overarching business objectives. Expected answer: Primary focus on improving booking conversion rates and user trust. Impact on approach: Would prioritize features that directly impact decision-making and build credibility.