App Showcase: ASOS

What it does

ASOS is a massive online fashion marketplace where users can discover, save, and purchase clothing, shoes, and accessories. The app features items from hundreds of brands as well as its own in-house labels. Its core function is to provide a comprehensive mobile shopping experience, from browsing vast catalogs to managing wishlists and completing purchases.

Where it shines

ASOS excels at helping users navigate its enormous product selection. The filtering system, shown at 02:37, is incredibly detailed, allowing users to narrow searches by specific body fits, brands, and price points. Another standout feature is the visual search (07:20), which lets users upload a photo to find similar items, effectively turning real-world inspiration into a shoppable moment. Finally, the "Buy the Look" feature on product pages (01:56) provides instant styling ideas and simplifies purchasing a complete outfit, enhancing both user experience and potential order value.

UX highlights

• Granular Filtering: The app's filter options go beyond basics, including 'Body Fit' categories like Petite and Tall, which makes the experience feel more inclusive and personalized (02:38).
• Visual Search: The ability to search with an image from your camera roll is a powerful discovery tool that bypasses the need for keyword guesswork (07:20).
• Boards for Wishlisting: Instead of a single generic wishlist, users can create multiple named 'Boards' (03:28), allowing them to organize saved items by occasion, style, or any other theme.
• In-Video Product Previews: Product detail pages often include short video clips of a model wearing the item, giving a much better sense of fabric movement and fit than static photos alone (01:49).
• Contextual Notifications: After adding an item, a low-stock warning appears in the shopping bag (07:51), creating urgency without being overly intrusive.
• Dark Mode: The app offers a dark mode option in its settings (13:17), which is a thoughtful touch for user comfort during late-night browsing sessions.

Monetization & growth

As a retail app, ASOS's monetization model is based on direct sales of physical goods. The video does not show any subscription services or in-app purchases for premium features. Growth mechanics are centered on e-commerce best practices. The app uses 'Selling Fast' tags to create social proof and urgency (02:43). Push notifications are framed around saving money and getting discounts (00:07). The creation of 'Boards' encourages users to save items and return to the app, fostering long-term engagement and future purchases.

Who it’s for

ASOS is designed for fashion-conscious shoppers, typically in the young adult to millennial demographic, who are comfortable with online shopping. The app caters to a wide range of styles and budgets, from fast fashion to designer brands. It's particularly useful for individuals looking for a specific item, as the search and filter tools are robust, but also for those seeking inspiration, thanks to its editorial content and features like 'Buy the Look'.

Notes & opportunities

The initial onboarding requires a full sign-up before a user can browse any products (00:43 - 01:34). While this captures user data early, it presents significant friction and may cause some potential new customers to drop off. Allowing a guest browsing session first could improve initial engagement. Additionally, while the checkout process is comprehensive, the number of steps to add an address and payment method for the first time could be streamlined to reduce the risk of cart abandonment.