Networked

We developed a scalable community management platform that enables owners to create and manage communities with features like real-time chat, role-based access control, advanced branding customization, and monetization through secure payments. The system allows seamless communication, flexible customization, and revenue generation, all within a single platform.

Project : Web Application | Web & Mobile User Interfaces

Industry : Social Media & Networking Platform

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Problems & Solutions

Problems_iconProblems
Problems_iconSolutions
Real-Time Chat System
Problems The platform required a reliable and scalable real-time chat feature but building one from scratch was resource-intensive.
SolutionsIntegrated a well-structured open-source Mattermost chat system, ensuring smooth, scalable, and reliable communication.
Access Control
ProblemsDifferent types of users (admins, moderators, members) needed role-based permissions across both the frontend and backend.
SolutionsDesigned and implemented a scalable access control mechanism with role-based rules applied at the UI level (feature visibility) and server level (API/data security).
Advanced Branding
ProblemsCommunity owners wanted to fully customize their interface, such as header colors, fonts, and other branding elements.
SolutionsBuilt a branding customization engine where preferences are stored as JSON in the database and dynamically applied to CSS variables on app load, giving each community a unique look and feel.
Monetization
ProblemsThe client needed to monetize communities so that only paid users could join, while still keeping the existing subscription system intact.
SolutionsCreated custom Stripe-based order flows at the community level, enabling seamless payment-based access and community-specific monetization.

Technologies Used

Technology

Frontend

ReactJS, NextJS, TypeScript

Backend

Express.js, C#

Cloud & Infrastructure

AWS S3, AWS RDS, Kafka, RabbitMQ,
Socket.io

Database

MongoDB, AWS RDS

Resources Used

2 Frontend Developers
2 Backend Developers
1 Full-Stack Developer
1 Project Manager
1 Designer
1 QA Engineer
2 Flutter Developers
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Project Duration

Started_icon

Started

2018

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First Release

2022

Status_icon

Status

Still running and under
continuous development

Results Achieved

  • Delivered a highly scalable and secure community platform.
  • Enabled seamless real-time chat for all community members.
  • Empowered community owners with flexible branding customization.
  • Built a robust access control mechanism for role-based permissions.
  • Implemented community-level monetization, enabling owners to generate recurring revenue.
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Lessons Illustration

Lessons Learned

  • Gained expertise in open-source system integration (Mattermost).
  • Learned how to balance UI customization with performance using JSON-driven CSS variables.
  • Understood the challenges of combining subscription models with community-level payments.
  • Strengthened knowledge in real-time communication and scalable event-driven systems.
  • Validated the importance of access control at multiple layers (frontend & backend).

Client Testimonial

Our Clients Share Their Journey with Us

Our clients emphasize how Networked has transformed their community-building efforts by providing a secure, flexible, and intuitive platform. From consolidating scattered tools into a unified system to fostering meaningful connections, they value the platform’s ability to streamline operations while creating an environment where members feel truly connected.