AroundWire Social Marketplace Platform
AroundWire is a full-featured platform that serves both service providers and customers. Here's what we delivered:
The Challenge
When we started working on AroundWire, the goal was clear but ambitious: build a platform that would connect service providers with customers across the United States. But this wasn't just another marketplace. The vision was to combine the power of e-commerce with social networking, creating a space where professionals could not only sell their services but also build relationships, reputation, and community.This was a multi-year project that would test our team's ability to handle complex technical challenges while keeping the user experience simple and intuitive.
A Complete Marketplace System
We built a multi-category listing system that allows service providers to showcase their offerings. Users can search and filter through services, but what makes it special is the interactive map feature. We integrated geolocation services so customers can discover local providers near them, making the connection between buyers and sellers more natural and immediate. The pricing system we developed is dynamic, adjusting based on user reputation and activity. This required complex business logic that rewards active sellers with lower fees and better visibility.
Real-Time Communication and Transactions
One of the most technically challenging parts was building the messaging infrastructure. We created a real-time communication system that lets buyers and sellers talk directly, negotiate, and finalize deals. The platform handles the entire transaction flow: from initial contact through invoicing, payment processing, and offer management. We also built flexibility into the payment system. Users can process payments through the platform's integrated gateway, or they can arrange direct payments. This gave us interesting technical challenges around tracking reputation and managing fees for different transaction types.
Social Networking Features
Unlike traditional marketplaces, AroundWire has a social layer. We implemented user profiles with verification systems, activity feeds where users can share content, and a partner/connection system that lets professionals network with each other. These features transform the platform from a simple transaction tool into a community.
The Technical Stack
We chose our technologies carefully to handle the platform's complexity:Frontend Tech
Angular, React, RxJS for dynamic and responsive UIs.Backend Architecture
Java, Spring, Express, Node.js for fast and reliable backends.Data Management
PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis for powerful data management.Third-Party Integrations
Stripe Payment gateway integration for secure transaction processing
Google Maps API for location-based features
Email notification systems
Mobile app APIs for the Android application
Mixpanel analytics integration for user behavior tracking
Mandrill email API integration for transactional email delivery
Capacitor integration for iOS/Android mobile app development
Technical Challenges We Solved
Scaling Real-Time Features
Building a messaging system that works smoothly for thousands of users required careful planning. We implemented WebSocket connections, optimized database queries, and used Redis for caching to ensure messages are delivered instantly without overloading the servers.
Complex Reputation System
We developed a custom scoring system that tracks user activity, transaction history, and feedback. This score affects everything from search rankings to fee structures. The challenge was making it fair, transparent, and resistant to gaming while keeping calculations fast.
Multi-Platform Consistency
Developing for web and mobile meant ensuring consistent behavior across platforms. We built robust APIs that serve both environments and created comprehensive testing procedures to catch platform-specific issues early.
Security and Verification
With financial transactions and personal data involved, security was critical. We implemented user verification systems, encrypted sensitive data, secured all API endpoints, and integrated multiple layers of authentication and authorization.
Email Template System with Dynamic Content
AroundWire sends various emails, including transaction confirmations, message notifications, profile updates, and marketing communications. We built a templating system that generates personalized emails based on user data and actions. The challenge was creating maintainable templates that work across different email clients while pulling dynamic content from multiple databases.
Geospatial Search Optimization
AroundWire's map-based discovery required efficient geospatial queries across thousands of providers, delivering instant results. We implemented spatial indexing using Pelias and Solr to handle location-based searches with multiple filters (category, price, reputation). The system calculates distances in real-time and updates as users pan and zoom across the map.