ABOUT PROJECT
Roobykon Software had the pleasure of partnering with Swoop, a dynamic platform born from the frustration of three friends – Tadas, Jevgenijus, and Vytautas – struggling to find reliable bicycle parts through a maze of social media groups and e-commerce sites. Realizing the need for a streamlined, user-friendly marketplace tailored specifically to sports enthusiasts, they envisioned a solution that would bring simplicity and trust to the buying and selling of sports equipment. Thus, Swoop was born: a platform that not only facilitates easy transactions but also guarantees secure payment and shipping throughout Lithuania, ensuring that users can buy and sell with confidence.
Swoop has become a community, offering premium used sports equipment with a strong focus on sustainability and accessibility. With a vision to become the largest platform for used sports gear in Lithuania, Swoop is dedicated to making top-quality equipment available to everyone. Their mission is clear: to connect sports enthusiasts through a reliable, safe, and user-friendly platform where quality and security are never compromised. Through our collaboration, Roobykon has helped bring their vision to life with innovative features and seamless user experiences that support Swoop’s growth and mission.
Key Challenges
Upgrading the Swoop platform presented several key challenges that required careful planning and adaptability. One of the primary obstacles was agreeing on the scope of work while ensuring that the project remained within the allocated budget. As is often the case with projects of this nature, balancing the need for advanced features and functionalities with cost constraints demanded a thorough assessment and constant communication with the client to prioritize essential updates without compromising quality.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
core API
Solution Highlights
By integrating Mapbox into the Swoop platform, we empower users with a cutting-edge geolocation feature that brings clarity and precision to the marketplace experience. This integration enables users to view the exact location of a product on an interactive and detailed map interface, transforming the way buyers and sellers connect. Enhanced with dynamic mapping capabilities, our solution offers real-time visualization that not only streamlines the buying process but also instills greater confidence in every transaction by ensuring transparency and trust.
THE PROCESS
01
Initial discussions & estimation process: When the client first approached Roobykon, they had a medium scope of work in mind. With an internal developer already handling simpler tasks, Swoop needed assistance with more complex updates for their startup. Given the small budget, there were multiple rounds of estimation, as the scope of work (SOW) kept shifting. This was due to finding a balance between the necessary updates and the available funds. Numerous calls were held to discuss the scope, which spanned several months as both parties worked to define and refine the project.
02
Agreement on the scope: After extensive discussions, a consensus was reached, and the scope was ultimately agreed upon. Although the scope was smaller than initially anticipated, the main critical task remained intact. Before signing the contract, the client requested a detailed explanation of all proposed changes to ensure clarity on the project requirements. This step helped all parties understand the scope, where changes were necessary, and how they would be implemented. The project didn’t require design work, as the focus was on functional updates for the marketplace.
03
Development & implementation: Once the requirements were finalized, the development phase commenced. With clear user stories provided by the client, Roobykon’s team worked swiftly and efficiently, completing the entire development in just one week. Quick responses from the client helped to avoid delays, ensuring that the project moved forward without any major bottlenecks. This phase focused on implementing small but important functional updates for the marketplace.
04
Post-development changes: After the development was completed, the client made some additional changes and added new requirements. Roobykon’s team was quick to adapt and implement these changes, ensuring the platform’s functionality aligned with the client’s evolving needs. The necessary variables were introduced promptly, and the client was satisfied with the speed and execution, all while staying within the allocated budget.
Main Features
Custom shipping options for sellers
We enhanced the shipping experience on the Swoop marketplace by replacing Sharetribe’s default delivery functionality with a more flexible and customizable solution. Marketplace administrators can now create unique delivery types, complete with descriptions and pricing, which sellers can then select for their listings. This approach empowers administrators to offer tailored shipping options, ensuring that sellers have a clear and consistent set of delivery choices.
Transaction price split between seller and marketplace provider
Building on the custom shipping options, we introduced a key feature that separates the management of shipping costs from the sellers. In the original setup, shipping fees were paid directly to the seller, but with this enhancement, the marketplace administrator assumes control over the shipping process. Now, shipping fees are collected by the marketplace, not the seller, ensuring a streamlined transaction process.
Shipping data integration in order receipt templates
To complement the new shipping system, we also revamped the order receipt templates. The updated templates now include shipping information, ensuring that customers receive complete details about their deliveries right alongside their order confirmation. Additionally, we added relevant shipping data to the administration console, allowing administrators to easily track and manage these updates in real time.
RESULTS
Despite technical limitations, such as relying solely on the git repository and console, our collaboration with Swoop was marked by efficiency, mutual respect, and a shared drive to build something meaningful. Through transparent communication and clearly defined deliverables, we successfully navigated the complexities of working within a startup’s tight budget while delivering impactful upgrades to the platform.
What truly made this collaboration stand out was the tone of the relationship. Every step of the way, communication was handled through correspondence, and yet, a strong, friendly rapport developed between our teams. This collaborative atmosphere allowed us to move quickly, resolve questions promptly, and adapt to changing requirements without friction.
Lessons from Swoop
Working on the Swoop marketplace was a hands-on real-world lesson in adaptability, precision, and growth. From day one, we knew we were stepping into a startup environment with limited resources and tight budgets. But instead of seeing constraints, we saw an opportunity to sharpen our skills and deepen our understanding of how to deliver maximum value under minimal conditions.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was working without access to the servers, our only tools were the git repository and the console. It pushed us to become even more resourceful and meticulous in our development approach. Every line of code had to be intentional. Every deployment, flawless. But we didn’t just deliver; we grew. We became more efficient at managing remote technical environments, better at structuring communication through written correspondence, and stronger in fostering trust – even when the collaboration was fully virtual.
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