What Challenges Was Hatchwise Facing?

Despite Hatchwise’s strong reputation, technical issues caused customer complaints and held the platform back from scaling and competing. Built in-house over a decade ago, its outdated, fragmented codebase presented major challenges:

• Scalability Issues: The system struggled to support a growing user base efficiently, limiting Hatchwise’s ability to expand.
• User Friction: Clients found submitting briefs and managing contests slow and complicated due to an outdated interface.
• Performance Bottlenecks: Frequent slow load times and occasional crashes frustrated users and affected customer retention.
• Manual Operations: Backend processes required constant manual work, making contest management, and feature releases slow and error-prone.
• Security Loopholes: Code written by various freelancers over time lacked proper structure, creating vulnerabilities and instability.
• Payment and Subscription Challenges: The legacy PayPal payment system caused frequent transaction failures, and was not equipped to support a subscription business model, limiting revenue growth.

How Did TechUp Labs Step In to Solve the Problem?

Hatchwise needed more than just an upgrade—it required a complete transformation. TechUp Labs rebuilt the platform from the ground up to deliver a powerful, scalable, and user-friendly experience. Here's how:

• Effortless Onboarding: Clients can now launch contests within minutes via a self-guided brief submission process that doesn't need manual help.
• Designer-Friendly Interface: The new seamless design makes browsing and submitting entries easy and enjoyable for designers.
• Automated Contest Flow: From submissions to review, rating, and winner selection—every step is now streamlined and automated.
• Integrated Payment System: Secure transactions with PayPal and Stripe ensure instant and reliable prize payouts, simplifying reconciliation.
• Scalable Backend Architecture: Migrated from CorePHP to Laravel with AWS hosting, enabling rapid user growth and future subscription model support.
• Enhanced Security & Fraud Detection: The new system automatically detects and blocks suspicious activities, preventing money laundering and protecting the platform.
• Database & Marketplace Overhaul: Redesigned database schema supports a flexible two-sided marketplace and future platform expansion.

What Technologies Powered the New Platform?

To ensure a seamless user experience and long-term scalability, TechUp Labs implemented a robust, modern tech stack:

• Backend: Laravel provided a structured, scalable foundation.
• Frontend: Angular delivered a dynamic, responsive interface for both clients and designers.
• Database: MySQL was restructured to support a growing two-sided marketplace and future subscriptions.
• Server: Migrated from shared hosting to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for speed, security, and reliability.
• Real-Time Communication: Socket integration enabled smooth interactions during contests.
• Payments: Stripe was added to reduce drop-offs and ensure smoother transactions.

How Long Did It Take?

Launching a platform of this scale required a structured, milestone-driven approach to ensure quality at every step:

• Planning Phase (3 Months): We spent the first phase understanding legacy code, restructuring workflows, and aligning with new business goals.
• Development Phase (6 Months): Built the client module in 3 months, followed by the freelancer module in the next 3.
• Final Integrations: Wrapped up with payment and file integration, completing the build in just 9 months—tested and launched with zero critical issues.

What Impact Did the New Platform Create?

With the new platform live, Hatchwise experienced significant growth in engagement, efficiency, and revenue.

• 4.7x increase in active contests: The streamlined process encouraged more clients to launch contests quickly.
• 60% boost in user retention: Designers returned more often, drawn by the improved experience and ease of participation.
• 2.4x growth in revenue: Additional design purchases and smoother payments helped increase overall platform earnings.
• 3.4x higher conversion rate: The new onboarding process allowed users to onboard themselves without manual help, driving conversions up.

What’s Next for Hatchwise?

With TechUp Labs’ ongoing support, Hatchwise is not just keeping pace but staying ahead of evolving needs. The platform is faster, smarter, and built to grow.