A loyalty app that turns one-time purchases into long-term relationships
Mobile development, Web development
See the LIVE projectCustomers of premium brands buy infrequently - but their lifetime value (LTV) is high, provided the brand stays in touch between transactions. For SAO, we designed and built a mobile and web application that brings together a loyalty programme, personalised communication, and digital customer service in one place. The client gained a tool for building relationships that extend well beyond a single purchase.
Tools and technologies used
SAO Life is an exclusive app dedicated to a community of entrepreneurs, creators and premium brands, operating as part of the SAO House club. The project involved the creation of a mobile and web application that allows members to access benefits, book events, services and a dynamic space for networking and value exchange.
Challenge
The main project focus was to implement a platform that:
- Serves as a space for the SAO House community and provides access to exclusive events and content.
- Enables management of memberships (Friend/Member) and subscriptions.
- Supports a complex reservation system for services (restaurants, meeting rooms, events).
- Features a dynamic feed with news and recommendations.
- Provides high performance and data security in accordance with the DPA.
The challenge for this application was the need for simultaneous integration with multiple external services (Stripe, GoPOS, Firebase, Microsoft Exchange) which required precise planning of the backend architecture. And creating a system that differentiates access, permissions and user paths (Friend vs. Member) across web and mobile applications proved to be quite a design and logical challenge, especially when it came to maintaining a seamless user experience.
Solution
We developed a consistent architecture based on modern technologies:
- Mobile frontend: React Native, optimized for iOS and Android.
- Web frontend: Responsive, synchronized with mobile UX.
- Backend: Ruby on Rails supporting booking, payment and content management logic.
- Database: PostgreSQL.
- External integrations:
- Stripe: support for subscription payments.
- Microsoft Exchange: room reservations and calendar synchronization.
- Firebase: analytics and push notifications.
- GoPOS: restaurant table reservations.
Key Features
- User registration via “Friend” and “Member” paths.
- Dynamic Main Feed with news and recommendations.
- Reservation system (restaurants, rooms, events).
- Benefit module with preview of details.
- User panel: profile editing, membership, payments, notifications.
- Web version with administration panel and user portal.
- Support payment process and booking confirmations.
Results
- A smoothly functioning mobile app, with a clear and short registration and booking process.
- Increased user engagement through exclusive content and personalized recommendations.
- A platform that meets all data protection and transaction requirements.
Summary
The SAO Life application is comprehensive solution that was developed with SAO House club members in mind. With a carefully thought-out architecture, integration with key external services and rich functionality, we managed to create a platform that not only facilitates bookings, membership management and communication, but also strengthens community engagement through dynamic content and exclusive benefits.