Description
Middlemen.com was our earliest hybrid marketplace app, built with React, Next.js, and Node.js to provide a secure, SEO optimized, and scalable solution. The platform included escrow enabled payments, real time chat & cross platform functionality. While the MVP successfully launched, the project was later shelved due to the client’s lack of awareness about ongoing maintenance. This became a valuable lesson that shaped how Clutchpilot guides clients today toward sustainable digital solutions.
Lesson Learned
Middlemen.com taught us the importance of client education beyond launch. While the app was technically sound, it highlighted the need to help clients understand maintenance, scaling & lifecycle management. Today, we integrate this knowledge sharing into every project to ensure long term sustainability
Challenge
Needed a cross-platform app (web + mobile) with a seamless experience. Required secure transaction flows with escrow-enabled payments. Demanded real-time features like chat, notifications, and reviews. Client had limited awareness of post-launch app maintenance and long-term scaling costs.
Solution
Hybrid Development with React & Next.js – Built a performant, SEO-friendly front-end with server-side rendering for speed and organic reach. Cross-Platform Support – Single codebase enabled deployment across web and mobile devices. Real-Time Functionality – Integrated chat, notifications, and service tracking. Escrow-Enabled Payments – Secure payment gateways for safe transactions. Scalable Infrastructure – Backend APIs developed with Node.js, integrated into a microservice-ready architecture. SEO & Performance Optimization – Pre-rendered pages, schema markup, and caching for discoverability. Client Training & Documentation – Delivered full guides on app usage and future scaling needs.
Results
Successfully launched a functional hybrid marketplace app with modern UX. Delivered a cross-platform solution that worked smoothly on both web and mobile. Created a blueprint for future React/Next.js projects. Despite technical success, the project was eventually shelved due to the client’s lack of understanding of ongoing app maintenance & update requirements.
