Business Challenge
The client was running a legacy CMS-based online store with limited customization, outdated integrations, and no support for vendor participation. Operational issues included:
- Manual order handling and delayed inventory updates
- No dedicated portal for vendors to manage their catalogs or view sales performance
- Inflexible checkout system that didn’t support payment splits or multi-vendor carts
- Lack of centralized reporting across sales channels
- High support volume due to order tracking issues and poor customer self-service options
The client needed a modular, full-stack e-commerce system to support direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales and scalable vendor onboarding—while improving fulfillment workflows and analytics visibility.
Solution
The client operates both as a retailer and as a platform for third-party vendors, so the system had to support two types of users: internal teams managing their own inventory and external sellers handling their own product catalogs. From the beginning, we structured the platform around this dual setup.
Vendors needed access to upload products, update prices, and see basic sales information, while internal staff required broader tools for moderation, support, and overall catalog control. Instead of building everything for one user type and retrofitting the rest, we developed separate flows for each role from the start.
A big part of day-to-day operations involved keeping stock levels accurate and orders moving without delays. We helped automate inventory updates, introduced courier integrations for shipment tracking, and simplified how order statuses were handled on both sides.
Payments were another key topic—especially when a single order involved products from different vendors. To make this manageable, we added a split-payment system that allocates funds based on vendor participation in each sale. Customers just see a single checkout, while behind the scenes, the platform handles the rest.
Product search and browsing also needed to work well, especially for a growing catalog. We added flexible filters and personalized sections to make it easier for users to find what they want. Admins can monitor everything through dashboards that show which items sell best, how vendors are performing, and where things might need attention.
Key platform features include:
🛍️ Customizable Online Storefront – branded, responsive storefront with personalized browsing experience
📦 Order Processing & Fulfillment Tools – automated workflows from cart to delivery
💳 Integrated Payment Gateway Support – flexible checkout with split payments for multi-vendor orders
📈 Sales Analytics & Reporting – dashboards tracking revenue, bestsellers, and vendor stats
👥 Customer & Vendor Portals – separate interfaces with tailored functionality for buyers and sellers
🔎 Advanced Product Search & Filters – faceted navigation and AI-assisted suggestions
✉️ Automated Notifications & Messaging – real-time order and account updates
🔐 Role-Based Access Control – secure access management for admins, support staff, and vendors
🧩 API-First Architecture – integration-ready for CRM, ERP, logistics, and marketing systems
Project Stages
Requirements Mapping: Worked with retail and operations teams to define e-commerce workflows and platform expectations
Interface Design: Designed UX/UI for storefront, admin panel, and vendor dashboard with mobile-first principles
Custom Development: Built core modules for product listings, cart, order routing, payment, and role management
Testing & Launch: Launched with early-access vendors and internal teams, refined based on initial feedback
Business Outcomes
- 2x faster order processing due to automation and real-time inventory syncing
- 300+ vendors onboarded within the first six months
- Improved customer satisfaction through faster checkout and better communication
- 45% reduction in support tickets related to shipping and order updates
- Streamlined fulfillment through third-party logistics and CRM integrations
Technologies Used
PHP + Symfony: Backend logic, vendor management, and marketplace operations
React: Frontend development for storefront and admin/vendor dashboards
MySQL: Primary database for product data, transactions, and user accounts
Apache SOLR: Search and filtering engine for catalog navigation
RESTful APIs: System interoperability with CRM, ERP, and payment tools
HTML / CSS / JavaScript: Responsive UI implementation
Need a Similar Solution?
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