Developing a Robust Crowdfunding Platform with EstateGuru

Developing the EstateGuru platform was a transformative experience that allowed me to enhance my skills in UI development and contribute to a leading property-backed loan crowdfunding platform. EstateGuru connects investors with SMEs across Europe, offering a high level of transparency and robust risk management.

EstateGuru stands out due to its comprehensive risk management strategies and user-centric features. The project required integrating advanced technologies and a user-friendly interface to ensure a seamless investment experience for users. My contribution focused on front-end development using HTML5, SCSS, and JavaScript, bundled with Webpack and TARS.

During my time at EstateGuru, I had the opportunity to work with a range of modern technologies and tools crucial for developing the platform's user interface.

HTML5 and SCSS

HTML5 was used for structuring the web content, while SCSS was employed for styling. SCSS allowed us to write cleaner and more maintainable CSS.

Webpack

Webpack served as the module bundler, enabling us to manage and bundle our JavaScript files efficiently. It also handled the compilation of SCSS into CSS.

Example: Webpack Configuration

const path = require('path');
module.exports = {
  entry: './src/index.js',
  output: {
    filename: 'bundle.js',
    path: path.resolve(__dirname, 'dist')
  },
  module: {
    rules: [
      {
        test: /\.scss$/,
        use: ['style-loader', 'css-loader', 'sass-loader']
      }
    ]
  }
};

The development process involved several stages, from initial planning and design to implementation and testing. One of the key challenges was ensuring the platform's scalability and performance to handle a growing user base and large volumes of data.

Agile Methodology

We adopted an Agile methodology with regular sprints and iterations. This approach allowed us to continuously improve the platform based on user feedback and changing requirements.

User Experience (UX) Design

A significant focus was placed on UX design to ensure that the platform was intuitive and easy to use. This involved creating wireframes, prototypes, and conducting user testing to gather insights and make necessary adjustments.

Example: SCSS Structure

// Variables
$primary-color: #3498db;
$secondary-color: #2ecc71;

// Base styles
body {
  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
  color: $primary-color;
}

// Components
.button {
  background-color: $secondary-color;
  border: none;
  color: white;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

Several key features were implemented to enhance the functionality and user experience of the EstateGuru platform.

Automated Investment Strategies

We developed automated investment strategies that allow users to invest in projects that match their risk appetite and financial goals. This feature required integrating complex algorithms and real-time data processing.

Real-Time Notifications

Real-time notifications were implemented to keep users informed about their investments, project updates, and other important information. This was achieved using WebSocket and push notification technologies.

Example: WebSocket Implementation

const socket = new WebSocket('wss://estateguru.co/notifications');

socket.onmessage = (event) => {
  const message = JSON.parse(event.data);
  console.log('New notification:', message);
};

Responsive Design

Ensuring that the platform was fully responsive was crucial. We utilized CSS frameworks and media queries to make sure the platform worked seamlessly across various devices and screen sizes.

Example: Responsive Design

.investment-summary {
  padding: 20px;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .investment-summary {
    padding: 10px;
  }
}

Working on the EstateGuru project was a highly rewarding experience. It allowed me to apply and expand my knowledge in modern web development technologies and best practices. The collaborative environment and the focus on user-centered design provided valuable insights into building scalable and user-friendly platforms.

In conclusion, my time at EstateGuru was marked by significant professional growth and the satisfaction of contributing to a platform that makes a real difference in the investment and crowdfunding industry. The skills and experiences gained will undoubtedly be beneficial in my future projects.