ABOUT PROJECT
TaskYourNeighbor is a groundbreaking initiative revolutionizing the way Canadians approach everyday challenges. Founded by the visionary marketer Paolo Spiluttini, this fast-developing startup is redefining community collaboration through a unique Crowdsourced Marketplace model. By acting as an intermediary, TaskYourNeighbor connects individuals who require assistance with those eager to offer their skills and time, thereby fostering a supportive and economically savvy environment. This innovative platform not only streamlines the process of hiring help but also builds a sense of local solidarity among neighbors.
In a country where research shows Canadians over twenty-five spend about four hours daily on routine household tasks, TaskYourNeighbor offers an appealing alternative to costly professional services. Imagine a scenario where a neighbor, conveniently located nearby, lends a hand at a competitive rate – this is the core concept behind the platform. With TaskYourNeighbor, the mundane becomes manageable, and community members are empowered to transform routine chores into opportunities for connection, affordability, and mutual benefit.
Key Challenges
Working on TaskYourNeighbor was a journey full of challenges and exciting breakthroughs. We knew that every user interaction mattered, especially when you’re building something from the ground up. Our first challenge was to take the initial version and transform it into a platform that was not only more reliable and flexible but also a joy to use. We rethought every step of the process (from posting a task to finding help), making sure everything felt natural and intuitive, just like chatting with a friendly neighbor.
Another hurdle was figuring out how to keep the platform fresh and responsive as it grew. To do this, we built in real-time analytics so we could actually see how people were using the site and adapt quickly to their needs. This was about creating a space where users felt heard and understood. By combining thoughtful design with smart data, we turned TaskYourNeighbor into a community hub designed with every single user in mind.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
core API
Solution Highlights
To ensure we minimized both cost and development time while meeting the project’s specific needs, we decided to continue using Sharetribe but transitioned to its Open Source version. This move allowed us to take full advantage of its customization capabilities, giving us the flexibility to tailor the platform exactly to TaskYourNeighbor’s requirements. By leveraging Sharetribe Open Source, we were able to create a fully personalized solution, enabling us to track and address the customer’s evolving needs in real time. This approach not only saved valuable resources but also provided a scalable foundation that could easily grow with the platform’s success.
The process
01
Understanding the challenges & defining the goals: Our collaboration with TaskYourNeighbor began with a thorough analysis of the existing platform. Through research and user feedback, we identified several key areas for improvement, including simplifying the registration process, clarifying user roles, implementing analytics, and improving user engagement with better notification systems.
02
Choosing the right technology: To provide the necessary level of customization and scalability, we recommended moving from Sharetribe Go to the Sharetribe Open Source version. This shift allowed us to fully customize the platform’s functionality while keeping development costs under control. Additionally, we integrated third-party services like Twilio for SMS notifications and E-Transfer for smoother payment transactions, ensuring the platform was well-suited for the Canadian market.
03
Implementing analytics for data-driven insights: Without analytical tools, the platform lacked insights into user behavior and platform performance. To solve this, we integrated analytics tracking on key pages, allowing the client to monitor behavioral trends and make informed decisions. Additionally, we developed an admin panel feature to export user data with filtering options, making data management easier.
04
Enhancing communication & notifications: We found that email notifications were not effective in keeping users engaged. To ensure users received timely updates about new tasks and responses, we implemented SMS notifications using Twilio. This improved engagement rates and ensured better communication between users.
05
Testing, launching & continuous improvement: After implementing the key changes, we conducted extensive testing to ensure a smooth user experience and eliminate any bugs. Once everything was optimized, we launched the new version of TaskYourNeighbor, closely monitoring its performance.
Main Features
Streamlined registration process
We completely overhauled and simplified the registration process, introducing a step-by-step algorithm that made it more transparent and user-friendly. This approach not only enhanced the user experience but also contributed to a significant increase in the number of platform sign-ups.
User role segmentation for a simplified experience
Recognizing the importance of clarity, we advised the client to categorize users into two distinct groups—those ‘Offering Help’ and those ‘Looking for Help’—right from the start of the registration process. To further enhance this distinction, we incorporated different color notations for each role, making the platform even easier to navigate.
Advanced analytics and data export
To give our client valuable insights into user behavior, we added analytics tracking to key resource pages. This allowed for the collection of a wide range of data, which we made easily accessible through an export feature in the admin panel, complete with customizable filters to streamline the process.
SMS alerts with Twilio integration
To keep users informed in real time, we integrated Twilio’s SMS service API, one of the most reliable platforms in the market. Twilio’s broad international support made it a perfect choice for scaling the project in the future, ensuring that TaskYourNeighbor could expand seamlessly across borders.
Personal accounts and internal wallet
Roobykon implemented a personal client account feature, allowing users to manage their own profiles and funds with ease. An internal wallet was integrated, enabling users to withdraw funds from the system, simplifying financial management, and enhancing the overall user experience.
E-transfer integration for local payments
Considering the Canadian market, we recommended adding E-Transfer as an additional payment option. This platform is widely used in Canada, offering low withdrawal fees and high user popularity. By including e-transfers, we were able to provide a more attractive payment solution, helping to increase user engagement and satisfaction.
RESULTS
We’ve helped the TaskYourNeighbor team create a more flexible and scalable version of their marketplace platform, one that is primed for future growth and can easily adapt to the evolving needs of its users. This enhanced version of TaskYourNeighbor not only offers a solid foundation for continued development but also provides a more seamless experience for everyone involved.
The impact of our work is already evident. Since the launch of the new platform version, there has been a noticeable increase in both user engagement and satisfaction. In the first month alone, user numbers grew by 79%, and task listings increased by 50%. This growth has continued month over month, with TaskYourNeighbor attracting more users and generating more activity than ever before. Additionally, the integration of real-time analytics has provided valuable insights into user behavior, allowing us to make data-driven decisions that enhance the platform’s functionality.
Lessons from TaskYourNeighbor
Working on the TaskYourNeighbor marketplace presented several challenges, each offering valuable lessons that helped us grow as a team. Initially, we found that the registration process was overly complex, leading to a high drop-off rate. By simplifying and streamlining this process, we saw a significant improvement in user retention and engagement. We also learned how vital clarity is in user roles – many users struggled to understand the differences between ‘Asker’ and ‘Tasker,’ which hindered their ability to get started. This insight pushed us to implement clearer segmentation and visual cues, improving the user experience.
Without the ability to track user behavior, we couldn’t effectively gather insights or understand where the platform needed improvement. Integrating real-time analytics into the new version was a game-changer, allowing us to make data-driven decisions and enhance the platform over time. Furthermore, we discovered that email notifications weren’t sufficient in keeping users informed about activity on the platform. This led us to integrate SMS notifications, ensuring that users stayed up-to-date and engaged.
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