Marketplace Mobile Apps Revamp

Technology Stack

Swift
Kotlin
Realm DB
Elasticsearch
Stripe

The Client

The client is a service marketplace owner. This online marketplace connects customers with service professionals from Agriculture, Transport, Ecotourism, Education, Environment Management, and other sectors. The platform attracts service providers eager to help people with simple and sustainable solutions. iOS and Android users can download the mobile versions of this platform to directly get in touch with the service providers and buy services.

The Challenge

The client had a business relationship with Capital Numbers, as we helped them enhance this platform's web version. The client wanted us to improve this marketplace's iOS and Android app versions this time.

They wanted us to optimize the existing search functions for iOS and Android apps. The search bars generated multiple results randomly as soon as users typed in their queries. Users found a long list of results displayed simultaneously, which confused users. It also led many to leave the online marketplace after the first try.

Looking at this disengagement, the client wanted to display search results category-wise. The client felt this would organize the UX flow. It also wouldn’t overwhelm users with too many results at once.

The client also wanted to integrate a Broadcasting section. This section would help a user broadcast a message to a larger user group to raise a service inquiry.

Besides, we had to handle other UI enhancements around registration processes and payment solutions.

The Solution

After jotting down these requirements and the critical UX areas we needed to work on, we selected expert iOS and Android developers from our pool to proceed with the implementations. The solutions we went ahead with are the following:

iOS - Our iOS developer chose Swift because Swift has modern features, expressive syntax, and lightning-fast speed. We also used Swift’s Moya library to make API calls and extend the app’s functionalities.

Android - Our Android developer used Kotlin because Kotlin ensures code safety and error-free developments. We also used Android Material UI to develop a great frontend. Plus, we implemented Retrofit2 to make API calls and network requests.

Further, our team made common tech choices for iOS and Android apps. For example:

We kept the app frontends separated from the backends using the MVVM pattern to maintain the code better.

We used Realm DB as the primary database solution. Realm mobile database is perfect for storing and querying data.

The client preferred something other than the existing Braintree solution. So, we removed Braintree, integrated Stripe, and ensured payment security never gets compromised.

Next, we worked on the search flow. Here, we added custom UI elements to show search results in four categories. We presented these four categories in four colors in four rows. We ensured that as users clicked on each of these categories, they found expanded information about service providers in that category. We did all of this using Elasticsearch.

In addition, we embedded the In-app Messaging (IAM) module for customers to chat with service providers in real time and seek information directly.

Once we completed all these enhancements, we safely deployed the iOS and Android apps on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Results

Because of our tech implementations, we found sharp improvements in search experiences. We also saw improvements in page load time and content display.

Here’s a rundown of some critical success areas:

OTP-verified Registrations

Guests can now sign up through an OTP-verified registration process, which we added to double the security.

An Improved Search Flow

Once users sign up and click on the search bar, they can find a drop-down list containing four categories:

Services
Shopping
FAQ
Newsroom

Upon clicking on each category, users can find a standard list of subcategories:

Recycling
Pest Control
Water
Home and Interior Design
Transport
Sustainable Retailer
Agriculture
Environment Management
Renewable Energy
Ecotourism
Education

Upon clicking on each subcategory, users can view expanded information on various service providers in that subcategory.

A Neater UX

We collapsed everything into categories and subcategories to hide the content length and keep the UX neater.

A Lighter UI

Because we collapsed everything, the UI also looks much lighter to the eyes.

Better Findability

Our straightforward UX flow helps users move along their path smoothly to find their product.

Broadcasting Feature

Our broadcasting section helps service seekers broadcast messages to the masses in case they need to get any service info.

Secure Payments

Every transaction between service providers and buyers happens safely because of our Stripe integration.

A Refined Marketplace

Capital Numbers is proud of its iOS and Android developers, who brainstormed and implemented the right stack to refine the marketplace.

Continued Partnership

Seeing the new UX flows, the client continues to rely on us as his strategic mobile app development partner for phase two.

Phase Two - In Development

Phase two, in development, will see more UI enhancements - this time around the Home Screen and Product Pages. We’re making sure more service providers get to enlist their products on these mobile platforms and visually display their services to prospective customers daily.