How the discount "thermometer" increased seller participation
TL;DR Redesigned the marketplace discount interface by introducing a dynamic “thermometer” that instantly shows the strength of the discount being set. Marketers can now clearly see if the requested discount is appropriate for each campaign. As a result, the number of participating sellers grew sharply: 43 campaigns launched in the first month, with over 500,000 products involved—driving up sales and engagement.
Why the old system failed
Marketplace ran regular promo campaigns, but marketers asked for steep discounts—even on weekly deals. Most sellers just couldn’t afford to join. Competitors didn’t demand such deep cuts, so we were losing engagement and growth.
Goal & Success Metrics
Goal: Make it easier for more sellers to join campaigns, without losing appeal for buyers.
Success Metrics:
- More merchants joining campaigns
- More products featured in campaigns
Research
We talked to marketers and sellers:
- Marketers had no sense of how “tough” their discount requests were
- The interface was confusing; people often needed help
- Sellers skipped campaigns with unrealistic discounts
Solution: parametric algorithm for discount calculation
Business proposed implementing a parametric algorithm for calculating discounts. The algorithm empowers marketers to choose specific parameters that influence the discount calculation, providing transparency on the resulting discount magnitude. This approach allows for a diversified range of campaign discounts: substantial discounts for major events (Black Friday, New Year) and smaller discounts for weekly campaigns.
My role
I designed the feature and came up with the thermometer approach, which wasn’t in the original plan.
I worked with wonderful Product Manager — Anna Solovyeva, UX Writer — Nadezhda Malyasova, and our development team.
Design
I simplified how campaign parameters affect discount calculation, using plain language and intuitive visuals. The key idea: marketers instantly see the impact of their choices via the “discount thermometer,” making the system easy to understand and use.
- Built a dedicated page for setting discount depth
- Thermometer updates in real time as parameters change
- Paramethers are explained in plain language and illustrated
Now interface serves as an educational tool, it helps users learn how their choices affect the final discount size.
Result in the first month
- 43 new campaigns launched
- 2,000+ sellers joined in
- 500,000+ products featured
Sellers participated more, marketers moved faster, and the platform saw a spike in sales and engagement.
