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Case Study • 2014
Handcrafted goods marketplace with editable storefronts, custom checkout, vendor payout automation, and inventory tools built with PHP and MySQL.
Client
Handcrafted Goods Co.
Industry
E-commerce & Retail
Timeline
June - September 2014
Team
4 people
Handcrafted Goods Co. wanted to create an online marketplace that would connect local artisans with customers looking for unique, handmade products. They needed a custom e-commerce solution that could handle multiple vendors, inventory management, and secure payment processing. We built a PHP-based platform with MySQL database, custom shopping cart, and vendor management system.
The client needed more than a standard e-commerce store—they required a multi-vendor marketplace where artisans could manage their own products, inventory, and orders. Off-the-shelf solutions were either too expensive or lacked the specific features needed for their business model. The platform had to be user-friendly for non-technical artisans while providing robust admin controls.
We built a custom PHP application with MySQL database, leveraging open-source libraries for payment processing and email functionality. The platform features separate dashboards for vendors and administrators, with role-based permissions. We implemented a custom shopping cart system, integrated PayPal for payment processing, and built automated email notifications for order updates.
From discovery to launch
Requirements gathering with stakeholders and artisans, database design, and payment workflow planning.
Backend development, database implementation, vendor and admin dashboards, and shopping cart functionality.
PayPal integration, commission system, email notifications, and inventory management.
Security testing, payment testing, vendor onboarding, and production deployment.
The marketplace launched successfully with 25 artisan vendors and grew steadily over the first year. The platform handled transactions reliably and vendors reported satisfaction with the ease of use.
We used proven, cost-effective technologies that were reliable and well-documented in 2014.
"ZIRA Software delivered exactly what we needed within our budget. The platform is easy for our artisans to use, and the admin tools give us complete control over the marketplace. We've grown from 25 to over 40 vendors in the first year, and the system has handled everything smoothly. Their support during the launch was excellent, and they trained our vendors personally."
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