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Online pet marketplace

Digital marketplace
Animal welfare 

Industry:

Ecommerce

Duration:

18 months

Team:

Country:

United Kingdom


Technology:

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A leading online pet marketplace based in the UK, renowned for its commitment to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. A trusted destination for pet adoption and purchase, connecting potential pet owners with reputable breeders and shelters. 

Client value
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ to end user.

An easy-to-use and secure platform where buyers and sellers can trade a wide range of pets, prioritising good ethical practice. Alongside its trading role, it is also an educational resource and a user-friendly platform, providing a safe, informative and efficient pet adoption experience that is highly valued by its community. 

Risks.

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Cybersecurity threats

Vulnerability to data breaches and hacking, necessitating strong security measures.

 

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Regulatory compliance

Challenges in adhering to evolving laws regarding online marketplaces and animal welfare. 

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User privacy

The risk of compromising user data privacy in an increasingly data-conscious environment. 

Challenges.

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Dependency on external partners

Ensuring consistent quality and reliability from breeders, shelters, and third-party service providers. 

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Scalability

Effectively managing growing user numbers and transaction volumes without degrading platform performance.

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Technology dependence

Keeping up with rapidly advancing technology and avoiding obsolescence. 

Objectives.

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Short-term

  • Implement immediate upgrades to cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches and ensure user privacy. 
     
  • Quickly adapt to current regulatory requirements related to online marketplaces and animal welfare. 
     
  • Make immediate enhancements to the user interface and functionality for better user engagement and satisfaction. 
     
  • Establish stricter guidelines and checks for breeders and sellers on the platform to maintain high welfare standards. 

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Long-term

  • Steadily grow the user base while maintaining platform stability and performance.
     
  • Continuously innovate and update the platform to keep pace with technological advancements. 
     
  • Develop and introduce new features and services that add value for users, such as enhanced AI-driven matching and educational resources. 

Development phases. 

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Project workshops and scope definition: We organized in-depth workshops to understand the project's scope, business requirements, and technical needs. 

Collaborative planning: Close collaboration to design schemas, logic, and risk assessments, setting the foundation for the development.  

​​​​​​​Setting development framework & best practices: Daily meetings were initiated between internal and external teams to define project specifications, requirements, budget, and timeframes. Best practices were established to guide the ongoing development process. 

Performance and optimization:

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Secure payment system: Pets4Homes Deposit Service — escrow service includes features for handling deposits, money management, refunds, and invoicing, making it a foundational element of the platform.  

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Scalability and payment processors: The escrow service can scale to meet the demand of the parent company, Pet Media Group, which has a worldwide footprint. Users can choose from over 40 different secure payment processors, ensuring a high level of security for on-platform transactions. 

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Code refactoring: Overhauled the platform's architecture to implement newer, more secure methods of transacting. 

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Chat functionality: Enhanced the platform's chat functionality, ensuring it is end-to-end encrypted for additional security. This feature significantly improved transaction efficiency and security, enabling users to complete transactions up to three times faster.  

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Platform features: Added an impressive set of features, including advanced search filters, social media sharing, encrypted messaging, daily pet advice and news, support resources, seller registration, buyer transactions, ID verification, and support for various payment processors.  

Revenue increase 

Revenue increase

+50%

increase

The introduction of the secure escrow functionality resulted in a remarkable increase in revenue.

User base growth

7 mil.

active users

A substantial user base of pet enthusiasts and potential buyers with millions of monthly users on both the app and website.

Payment success rate

100%

success rate

The Deposit Service feature achieved reliability and effectiveness of the payment system, ensuring smooth and secure transactions for users

Reputation and trustworthiness

4.6

stars

A high Trustpilot rating plus the endorsement of the platform by a member of the British Royal Family.

Lessons.

01

Secure payment systems

Secure payment systems

Implementing a secure payment system, like the Pets4Homes Deposit Service, can significantly boost revenue. Users are more likely to transact on a platform when they trust that their payments are safe and protected.

Secure payment systems

Implementing a secure payment system, like the Pets4Homes Deposit Service, can significantly boost revenue. Users are more likely to transact on a platform when they trust that their payments are safe and protected.

02

Escrow services

Escrow services

Offering an escrow service can enhance trust between buyers and sellers. It provides a safety net for both parties and ensures that transactions are completed satisfactorily.

Escrow services

Offering an escrow service can enhance trust between buyers and sellers. It provides a safety net for both parties and ensures that transactions are completed satisfactorily.

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