Full-Stack Development

Trading Card Marketplace Platform

Built a comprehensive trading card platform for a startup, delivering both web presence with Next.js and mobile apps with React Native. Implemented Firebase backend with serverless functions for real-time data sync, authentication, and scalable operations.
Trading Card Marketplace Platform
Case study

Context, approach, and outcome

The project page should read like an actual delivery narrative: what had to change, how the system was structured, and what happened once it shipped.

Challenge

A sports card startup needed a comprehensive platform to facilitate card trading, collection management, and marketplace transactions with secure authentication and payment processing, while providing a seamless experience across web and mobile platforms.

Solution

We developed a full-stack solution with Next.js for web and React Native for mobile, backed by Firebase and serverless functions. The platform features real-time synchronization, advanced search capabilities, secure payment processing with Stripe, and robust testing using Detox and React Testing Library.

Outcome

The platform helped the client secure $2.5M in funding, achieve 78% improvement in user retention, and rapidly evolve from MVP to a mature product in just 8 months. The marketplace now supports thousands of daily transactions with a thriving community of collectors and traders.

Technical detail

Inside the build

These details are here to show how the system was actually put together, not to inflate the stack for its own sake.

Architecture

  • Modular architecture with shared business logic between web and mobile
  • Real-time data synchronization with Firebase
  • Event-driven architecture using Firebase Cloud Functions
  • REST APIs for third-party integrations
  • Optimistic UI updates for improved user experience

Backend

  • Firebase as the primary backend platform
  • Serverless functions for business logic and API endpoints
  • Cloud Firestore for real-time database capabilities
  • Firebase Authentication with multi-provider support
  • Firebase Storage for image and asset management
  • Algolia integration for advanced search functionality

Frontend

  • Next.js web application with SSR and static generation
  • Type-safe development with TypeScript
  • State management with Redux for global state
  • React Query for server state and data fetching
  • Responsive design supporting all device sizes
  • Progressive Web App (PWA) capabilities for offline access

Mobile

  • React Native for cross-platform mobile development
  • Migration from old architecture to new React Native architecture
  • Native modules for platform-specific functionality
  • Offline-first approach with local data persistence
  • Deep linking for seamless web-to-app transitions
  • Push notifications for user engagement

DevOps

  • AWS deployment with CloudFront for content delivery
  • CI/CD pipeline for automated testing and deployment
  • Environment-based configuration management
  • Monitoring and error tracking with Sentry
  • Performance optimization and bundle size management

Data

  • Cloud Firestore for structured data and real-time capabilities
  • Firebase Storage for media assets
  • Data modeling optimized for trading card marketplace
  • Caching strategies for improved performance
  • Data backup and disaster recovery procedures

Testing

  • Detox for end-to-end testing of mobile applications
  • React Testing Library for component and integration testing
  • Jest for unit testing business logic
  • Cypress for web application end-to-end testing
  • Test-driven development approach for critical features

Payments

  • Stripe integration for secure payment processing
  • Custom payment flow for trading card transactions
  • Escrow system for buyer-seller protection
  • Automated payout system for card sellers
  • Payment dispute resolution system
Technology

Stack in play

The stack matters because it shows the shape of the system and the constraints it had to satisfy.
React NativeNext.jsFirebaseServerless FunctionsStripeGraphQLTypeScriptReduxReact QueryCloud FirestoreAWSDetoxReact Testing LibraryAlgoliaCloudinary

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