ABOUT PROJECT
In July 2019, Roobykon had the privilege of partnering with Strainly, a cornerstone in the cultivation industry. Strainly, originally launched in 2016, acts as a shining example in the agricultural community, dedicated to empowering growers by providing a safe, reliable, and convenient platform for accessing everything they need to excel in their craft. The online b2b marketplace platform is designed to facilitate seamless interactions among growers, breeders, nurseries, and equipment providers, allowing them to offer and procure genetics and equipment with ease.
Imagine a world where cultivators have seamless access to top-tier genetics, state-of-the-art equipment, and a supportive community. This is the reality Strainly has cultivated. By providing a secure, user-friendly platform, they’ve empowered industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow. Through our collaboration, we’ve witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication of the Strainly team. Their commitment to fostering a thriving community is evident in every aspect of the platform. We’re proud to have played a role in their continued success.
Key Challenges
Creating the Strainly marketplace was no walk in the park. As with many projects, the client came to us with a vision that pushed the boundaries of what we’d done before. But that’s what makes it exciting, right? When we first got involved with the Strainly marketplace, the project had already progressed significantly. Roobykon’s team inherited it from another project manager, so we weren’t involved from the very beginning. Our participation started when the platform was already in production, and our focus was primarily on adding new features and enhancements.
Another particularly memorable aspect of this project was the integration of cryptocurrency payments. Our client was incredibly tech-savvy and well-versed in Bitcoin, which made for a stimulating and collaborative experience. The Strainly’s team worked closely with Artem, one of our developers, and their brainstorming sessions were nothing short of inspiring. Such combined expertise and innovative thinking were crucial to overcoming the technical hurdles of Bitcoin integration. Without the client’s deep understanding of the technology and Artem’s skillful execution, this feature would have been far more difficult to implement. Their collaborative spirit not only made the process smoother but also enriched our team’s knowledge and capabilities.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
Solution Highlights
To facilitate seamless communication, we integrated Brevo for efficient email management, ensuring prompt delivery of notifications and updates to users. BTCPay was implemented to handle secure and decentralized payments on the marketplace, allowing users to make transactions with cryptocurrency. For advertising and customer engagement, we used Mantis, providing the platform with dynamic ad capabilities that reach the right audience at the right time. Additionally, OneSignal was incorporated for in-app notifications, ensuring users are kept informed of promotions, updates, and product launches.
On the technical side, we chose Sharetribe as the core foundation for the marketplace, leveraging its flexibility for managing marketplace operations. Our team worked with Node.js and React to create a responsive and scalable platform, ensuring fast load times and an intuitive user experience.
The process
01
Understanding the existing platform: Our first step was to thoroughly understand the existing website. This involved reviewing the current codebase, architecture, and features. We conducted in-depth meetings with the previous project team to get up to speed on the project’s status and any ongoing issues.
02
Implementing new features: Without a predefined roadmap, we took a flexible approach to developing the Strainly marketplace. The client came to us with a specific scope of work, and we implemented those features accordingly. These scopes varied significantly in timing, ranging from a week to several months.
03
Testing and quality assurance: Rigorous testing was essential to ensure that the new features integrated seamlessly with the existing platform. We conducted thorough quality assurance tests to identify and fix any issues before deploying updates. The client also played an active role in the testing phase, providing valuable insights and feedback. Their involvement in this process helped us fine-tune features.
04
Deploying updates: Once the new features were thoroughly tested, we proceeded with deployment. This involved coordinating with the Strainly team to schedule updates and ensure a smooth transition. We monitored the platform closely after deployment to address any issues that might arise.
05
Ongoing support and enhancement: Our involvement didn’t end with deployment. We provided ongoing support and continued to work on additional enhancements as needed. This ongoing collaboration ensured that Strainly remained a leading platform in the cultivation industry.
Main Features
Auctions
To boost visibility and engagement, we enabled users to list their products for auction. This feature helps sellers attract attention to their listings and increase the chances of making a sale by creating a competitive environment.
Third eye
Pricing can be challenging for many sellers. The “Third Eye” feature addresses this by allowing users to view similar items and the prices set by other sellers, but preserving anonymity. This valuable insight helps them determine an appropriate price for their own listings.
Progressive web app (PWA)
Recognizing the importance of mobile accessibility, we implemented a PWA that allows users to quickly add a shortcut to their phone’s home screen. This ensures easy and immediate access to the Strainly platform, enhancing the overall user experience.
Push notifications
Given that most users access Strainly via mobile devices, we integrated push notifications using OneSignal. This feature ensures that users receive timely updates about new messages, orders, and other important notifications without having to constantly check the site.
Auto-closing listings
To maintain a streamlined marketplace, we implemented an auto-closing feature for listings. If a user remains inactive for a specified period, their listings are automatically closed, helping to keep the platform current and relevant.
Twitter auto posting
To help users stay active on social media, we added a feature that automatically posts updates to their Twitter page whenever a new listing is created or a positive review is posted. This helps boost their online presence and engagement.
Bitcoin payments
Embracing the growing trend of cryptocurrency, we integrated the BTCPay payment system to facilitate Bitcoin transactions. This allows users to make and receive payments in Bitcoin, aligning with the platform’s tech-savvy user base.
Invite friends for rewards
To incentivize user growth, we introduced a referral program where users can invite friends and earn Bitcoin as a reward.
Subscription plans
We developed various subscription plans that offer different levels of access to features on the platform. Users can choose a plan that suits their needs, with subscription payments also accepted in cryptocurrency.
RESULTS
Roobykon and Strainly have combined resources to create a financial ecosystem that’s as green as it is profitable. Together, we’ve crafted a marketplace that anticipates the needs of growers, breeders, and equipment providers. From the moment we joined forces, our mission was straightforward: to refine and enhance Strainly into a cutting-edge hub for the cultivation community. And that’s exactly what we achieved. With the introduction of features like dynamic auctions, seamless crypto payments, and intuitive push notifications, we’ve created a platform that’s not only functional but also deeply engaging.
The results of our collaboration are visible in the platform’s enhanced functionality and user satisfaction. Strainly has become a vibrant ecosystem where innovation and community spirit thrive. Each feature we’ve introduced has been a step toward creating a more seamless, engaging, and future-ready experience for its users. Working with Strainly has been a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. Together, we’ve decided to build a robust b2b marketplace and set a new standard for what a digital platform can achieve. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to see where this journey will lead us next.
Lessons from Strainly
The development of the Strainly marketplace has been an incredible learning journey for us at Roobykon. From the moment we took over the project, we faced numerous challenges that pushed us out of our comfort zones and demanded innovative solutions. Reflecting on this journey, there are several key lessons we’ve learned that have made us stronger and more professional as a team. Working with a tech-savvy client who frequently presented us with complex tasks was both a challenge and a blessing. Their deep understanding of technology and high standards pushed us to innovate continuously. Integrating cryptocurrency payments, for example, was a significant undertaking. This experience reinforced the value of client collaboration and showed us how much we can achieve when we combine our expertise.
Another lesson we learned was the importance of adaptability. The need to implement features like push notifications, Progressive Web App functionality, and auto-closing listings required us to explore new technologies and approaches. Each of these features came with its own set of challenges, but by remaining flexible and open to learning, we were able to deliver solutions that enhanced the platform’s functionality. The integration of Twitter auto-posting and the referral program for rewards highlighted the necessity of thinking creatively about user engagement. These features taught us to look beyond the basic functionality and consider how we can add value to the user experience. By focusing on user-centric design, we created a more dynamic and engaging platform.
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