Blog Post #2 – Web/Mobile App Critique

Title: Robinhood App Review: Usability, Design, and Functionality

Robinhood is one of the most popular mobile trading platforms, allowing users to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Its appeal comes from its sleek interface and commission-free trades, which opened the door to investing for many people who might not have tried it otherwise.

From a usability standpoint, Robinhood is designed with beginners in mind. The app is intuitive, with simple buy/sell buttons and an easy-to-read portfolio dashboard. The navigation tabs at the bottom make it simple to switch between markets, watchlists, and account settings.

In terms of design, Robinhood uses clean visuals, minimalistic colors, and smooth animations that make the user experience engaging. The charts are interactive, allowing quick analysis of price movements, though they are fairly basic compared to professional trading platforms.

The functionality of the app is strong for basic trading needs. Users can instantly deposit funds, trade fractional shares, and set alerts for price changes. However, more advanced tools—such as in-depth charting, customizable indicators, and detailed options analytics—are limited.

Recommendations for Improvement

1. Advanced Charting Tools: Adding more technical indicators (like VWAP, EMA, or Bollinger Bands) would improve functionality for intermediate and advanced traders.

2. Educational Resources: Embedding tutorials and strategy guides could help beginners better understand financial concepts.

3. Enhanced Notifications: Offering customizable push notifications (for market news, watchlist alerts, or trade confirmations) would make the app more responsive to user needs.

Overall, Robinhood succeeds in making investing simple and accessible, but it could improve by catering to both novice and experienced users through stronger educational tools and more robust analytics.