Leobit
Peer-assisted Product Availability Verification App
Full-cycle cross-platform software development for an Australian startup
ABOUT
the project
Client:
Location:
Australia
|Sydney
Company Size:
Industry:
Retail
Solution:
Services:
The mobile application serves as a peer-to-peer product availability verification platform. It connects individuals who want to buy a specific item but need confirmation that it is physically available in a store with users who are willing to check a store in person and verify the availability of the requested item for a small fee.
This project was a great example of how an idea can grow into a fully functional product with real market potential. We worked closely with the client from day one, helping shape the app logic, designing user flows, and building a scalable solution. It was exciting to bring their vision to life.
Customer
Our customer is an Australian startup aiming to enhance the in-store shopping experience through peer-assisted product availability verification. The idea is to connect people who want to buy a specific product with others nearby who are willing to physically check its availability in local shops.
Business Challenge
The customer came to Leobit with only a raw concept and no prior experience in software development. They needed end-to-end support to refine the idea, design the product, and implement a fully functional mobile application with real-time messaging and secure payments.
Why Leobit
Leobit stood out due to our proven ability to transform abstract ideas into fully-fledged products. Our team invested significant effort during the pre-sale phase to analyze the concept, define the key user roles and flows, and propose an optimal technical solution. The client valued our consultative approach and technical expertise, which gave them confidence to move forward.
Project
in detail
Leobit developed a Flutter-based cross-platform mobile application compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The app enables users to initiate product availability requests in retail stores and receive updates from other users for a small fixed fee. Leobit’s team played an active role not only in development but also in shaping the product during the initial analytical and design stages.
Development of a customized payment flow
Leobit experts implemented a customized payment flow using Stripe to support a two-step fund transfer process. When a user submits a request, the full payment amount is charged and received by the platform’s Stripe account. After the payment succeeds, the platform retrieves the Charge ID, which uniquely identifies the transaction. The platform then uses Stripe’s API to transfer funds to the appropriate connected account. This involves specifying the Charge ID as the source transaction and defining the destination account and transfer amount.
This setup allows the platform to retain a portion of the fee if needed before transferring the remaining funds to the recipient.
In-app chat development
We implemented chat functionality using a combination of SignalR and Firebase. Once a service provider accepts a request, the app opens a dedicated chat between both users. This chat feature supports real-time communication and allows users to share item details, send photos, or request that a product be held at the store.
We used SignalR to establish a persistent WebSocket connection between the mobile app and the back-end server. This allows for low-latency, bi-directional communication and ensures that messages are delivered instantly without requiring manual refreshes or polling.
We also integrated Firebase Realtime Database to store and sync chat messages across sessions and devices. This ensures that all messages are reliably saved, even if a user disconnects temporarily, and allows for seamless chat history retrieval.
Technology Solutions
- Development of a customized payment flow using Stripe, allowing the platform to retain control of transactions and automate payouts.
- Google Maps integration to enable radius-based location filtering (0–200 km) for local product searches.
- In-app chat system implemented with real-time communication for user collaboration after request acceptance.
Value Delivered
- Helped the client transform a raw idea into a market-ready application, starting from business analysis through to launch.
- Enabled fast and cost-effective development using Flutter that eliminated the need for separate iOS and Android codebases.
