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Howlur
UI/UX design
Mobile applications,
Industry:
Employment services, Staffing services
Year:
2023-2024
About client
The client is a tech company specializing in digital solutions for staffing and local service delivery. Their objective was to build a mobile marketplace platform tailored to the needs of SMBs seeking to hire local service providers for operational and day-to-day tasks — from maintenance to logistics.
The required solution was a cross-platform mobile app with consistent behavior across Android and iOS, supporting on-demand service booking, secure payments, and real-time communication.
Our task was to design a business-oriented mobile solution that consolidates various service categories into a single ecosystem, enabling automated management of local services and simplifying operations for small businesses and self-employed professionals
About project
Howlur is a custom-built, cross-platform mobile solution designed to digitize the way local services are discovered, booked, and managed. Developed as a hybrid between a service marketplace and a communication platform, the app enables small businesses and independent professionals to showcase their services, receive bookings, manage orders, and engage with clients — all in one ecosystem.
End-users can search and filter providers based on location, service type, or availability, while businesses benefit from real-time messaging, automated request handling, and an integrated rating and feedback system that supports ongoing service improvement.
The project’s core objective was to build an intuitive yet robust B2B mobile app that supports automated workflows, secure in-app transactions, and scalable client-provider interactions — delivering operational efficiency for local service providers
Goals and objectives
1
Simplify user onboarding through intuitive UX: Design an interface that minimizes friction for both businesses and end-users, reducing time-to-service and lowering customer drop-off rates across devices
2
Enable scalable client acquisition for service providers: Build a discovery-first platform where local businesses can increase visibility, attract new clients within defined service areas, and grow without third-party intermediaries
3
Ensure secure, transparent financial transactions: Implement Stripe-based in-app payments with escrow logic and refund policies to increase user trust and ensure compliance with B2B payment standards
4
Streamline communication workflows: Integrate real-time chat and smart notifications to facilitate instant updates, order status changes, and service coordination between clients and providers
5
Optimize operations through centralized service management: Provide tools for request handling, booking management, calendar coordination, and performance tracking to help businesses manage day-to-day operations more effectively
Solution
To meet the client’s requirements for a scalable and cost-efficient mobile solution, we built a cross-platform application using Flutter, enabling rapid development with a single codebase for both iOS and Android. This approach reduced time-to-market and ensured a consistent user experience across devices.
We integrated Firebase as the backend-as-a-service (BaaS) layer to handle real-time data sync, cloud storage, and user authentication — ensuring both reliability and performance at scale.
For fast and accurate in-app search, we implemented Algolia, allowing end-users to filter service providers by location, category, and availability — critical for ensuring conversion in location-based service platforms.
To manage transactions, we used Stripe with Stripe Connect for split payments, enabling businesses to receive direct payouts while ensuring full compliance with platform policies and refund logic.
We also built a robust review and rating engine, tied directly to service interactions and user verification, to help maintain quality standards and increase trust among clients.
Finally, to facilitate real-time communication, we developed a fully integrated in-app chat module with push notifications, enabling service status updates, direct messaging, and operational coordination between parties — all within a single interface
Result
The final solution enabled the client to launch a full-featured mobile service marketplace that automated core business processes — from client acquisition to payment handling and communication. The platform became a centralized operational hub for local businesses and independent professionals, driving customer engagement and reducing service coordination time.
By leveraging a unified architecture with built-in booking, chat, and rating systems, the app minimized third-party dependencies and positioned the client for rapid scalability. Businesses now benefit from direct revenue flows via Stripe Connect, enhanced service discoverability, and a digital-first channel for managing their customer base.
As a result, Howlur has empowered local service providers to scale operations efficiently, improve service delivery, and build lasting relationships with their customer segments — all while maintaining full control over their workflows, reputation, and revenue streams