Empowering Artisans Globally with a Custom Mobile App

The client

Raising Indian Culture to the
Global Platform

MeriMitti is a mobile application built using the Flutter framework that is available for Android and iOS users. The platform serves as a dynamic digital marketplace, enabling regional artisans across India to showcase and sell their unique crafts to a global audience. Through MeriMitti, artisans have the opportunity to connect with international buyers, contributing in global cultural exchange and supporting the preservation of traditional Indian craftsmanship.

The Requirements

Building an Inclusive Digital Marketplace

MeriMitti sought to create a platform that would seamlessly connect local artisans with global buyers while overcoming several key challenges:

Digital Illiteracy of Artisans: Educating artisans with limited technical skills on how to use the app and manage their online presence.
Ensuring Quality Control: Maintaining high standards for product quality and authenticity to meet the expectations of international buyers.
Overcoming Logistics Challenges: Managing the complexities of shipping from various regions in India to international destinations.
Multi-Currency Payment Integration: Developing a secure, multi-currency payment system to support international transactions.
Expanding Global Reach: Promoting the app globally while highlighting the cultural significance of the products.
Supporting Users with Limited Tech Proficiency: Providing ongoing technical support for artisans and buyers with varying levels of digital proficiency.

The Challenges

Connecting Artisans and Buyers in a Digital Marketplace

MeriMitti faced several challenges in creating a seamless digital experience for artisans unfamiliar with technology, ensuring product quality across the platform, managing international logistics, and developing a multi-currency payment system. These challenges needed to be addressed to establish a thriving global marketplace.

Our Proposal

Developing a User-Centric, Feature-Rich Marketplace Platform

We proposed a comprehensive mobile app solution with features designed for sellers, buyers, and administrators. The platform would be built to overcome the challenges of onboarding artisans, ensuring quality control, managing payments, and providing technical support.

The Solution

Building a Seamless and Engaging Marketplace Platform

1

For Sellers (Artisans)

User-Friendly Registration: To address the challenge of onboarding artisans, we designed a simplified registration process with tutorials to help artisans with limited technical proficiency. The process empowers artisans to create profiles, list products, and manage their online presence with ease.
Product Management: To ensure quality control, artisans have full control over their product listings, with the ability to upload images, add descriptions, and set prices. These listings are reviewed to ensure they meet international quality standards, preserving the platform's authenticity.
Order and Payment Management: To handle multi-currency payment integration, we built a robust dashboard where artisans can manage orders, track sales, and monitor payments. We also implemented a split payment facility for real-time settlement, automatically distributing funds between artisans, platform fees, and other involved parties.

2

For Buyers

Effortless Registration and Browsing: To address the challenge of expanding global reach, we ensured buyers could quickly create profiles and explore the marketplace. With advanced search features, buyers can easily discover products and artisans, emphasizing the cultural significance of each item.
Secure Purchasing and Order Tracking: To tackle logistics challenges, we implemented a secure checkout process and real-time order tracking. Buyers can follow their shipments from India to international destinations, ensuring transparency and trust in the delivery process.
Personalized Experience: Buyers enjoy features like wish lists and personalized recommendations, enhancing their shopping experience and encouraging repeat purchases.

3

For Admin

Comprehensive User and Product Oversight: To manage quality control, the admin panel includes tools for verifying seller identities and monitoring product listings. This helps maintain high standards across the platform, ensuring the authenticity of the products.
Efficient Order and Payment Management: For transaction management, the admin panel enables oversight of all orders and payments, ensuring smooth operations and resolving any issues that arise. This includes handling refunds, disputes, and monitoring financial flows.
Platform Maintenance and Analytics: To help users with platform related technical challenges, the admin panel provides detailed analytics on platform performance, allowing continuous optimization. The admin team can quickly identify and address technical issues to ensure smooth platform operation for all users.

Technology Implementation

Backend Development: Built using Laravel and MySQL, the backend manages user data, product listings, and financial transactions efficiently. Eloquent ORM ensures smooth database operations, while Redis optimizes caching and session management. Security is enhanced with two-factor authentication (2FA) through OAuth2 and Laravel Passport, and Docker containerization supports scalability and seamless deployment.
Frontend Development: Developed with Flutter for cross-platform compatibility on Android and iOS, providing a responsive interface. Dart drives the client-side logic, while Provider and BLoC patterns manage complex states efficiently. Elasticsearch powers advanced search functionality, and machine learning algorithms enable personalized product recommendations for buyers.
Microservices Architecture:Implemented separate functionalities like authentication, product management, and payment processing, with each service containerized using Docker to allow independent scaling and better fault isolation.
API Gateway:Integrated to handle request routing, load balancing, and secure communication between services, ensuring efficient interaction between the frontend and backend components.
CI/CD Pipelines: Set up using Jenkins and GitLab, automating code integration, testing, and deployment across environments to streamline the update process and ensure continuous delivery.
Security Measures: In addition to 2FA, we implemented SSL/TLS encryption, regular security audits, and vulnerability scanning with tools like SonarQube and OWASP ZAP to maintain a secure and compliant platform.

Project Outcomes

A Thriving Digital Marketplace for Artisans and Buyers

With the launch of MeriMitti, artisans across India have gained access to global markets, showcasing their unique crafts to international buyers. The platform has successfully onboarded over 1,000 artisans and attracted thousands of buyers, fostering a vibrant online marketplace. Key outcomes include:

Empowered Artisans: Over 1,000 artisans have accessed new markets, boosting their income and helping preserve traditional crafts.

Engaged Buyers: The app has made it easy for global customers to discover and purchase authentic handmade products, fostering cultural exchange.

Streamlined Operations: By simplifying product management, logistics, and payment processes, transaction times have been reduced by 38%, and operational costs have decreased by 47%.

Tech Stack Used

Backend

Laravel
MySQL

Frontend

Flutter

CONTACT US

Tap into Global Opportunities for your Business with our App Development Services

Our custom app development services have empowered MeriMitti to create a thriving digital marketplace that connects regional artisans with global buyers. Learn how we can help you build a robust, user-friendly platform to expand your business reach and drive growth. Contact us today to discover more about our solutions!

MeriMitti: Empowering Regional Artisans with a Global Digital Marketplace

Raising Indian Culture to the Global Platform