Buke
Dating app that provides anonymity
Project idea
A client approached us to create a mobile dating application for individuals in Arab countries and Europe who prefer not to share their photos or personal information on a dating app but still want to meet new people.
Initially focused on the design and development of a secure MVP, the project eventually scaled up to a fully-fledged mobile application.
Our goals
Create a complete
UI/UX design of the app
Build a fully functional React
Native mobile application
Integrate the app with
a Laravel Nova admin panel
Develop the web
version of the app
UI/UX design
Mind map
The Buke project is a startup, and the client had no experience in creating dating apps. Our team actively assisted in developing the app's functionality and logic. We carefully worked on the matching system, the logic of the user's personal profile, and the favorites page. To visualize it all, we created a mind map.
Visual concept
Our client discovered us on Dribbble and already trusted our design approach. We proposed a few ready-made design concepts so they could choose which colors and UI suits best for the Buke project.
Our client approved one of the references — we made it brighter and elaborated it into the final design concept.
Interfaces
After finalizing the visual concept, we created the design for the mobile app interface. Later, we expanded the project with a landing page and a web version.
UI kit
We continuously develop the dating app and add new features as it expands.
To provide a consistent look and feel throughout the application and make app updates easier and faster, we compiled a UI kit with all design elements.
Development
Our team provided guidance on technology choices and recommended the features needed to make the app effective and functional. We worked iteratively, adding necessary features throughout the development process.
Mobile apps for iOS and Android
We developed app versions for both Android and iOS using our favorite cross-platform React Native framework, which allows for simultaneous development with a shared codebase.
This approach is ideal for startups like Buke, as it saves time and resources on future app maintenance and refinement.
Admin panel
We built an admin panel using the Laravel Nova package, which is perfect for quickly rolling out web panels on PHP. The admin panel allows for content management, activity monitoring, and processing user reports.
Web version
Due to circumstances beyond our control, it took six months for the App Store to accept the mobile app. To ensure iOS users weren't left behind, we built a web version of the app using React while we waited for Apple's approval.
Landing page
To optimize costs, we built a landing page using Webflow.
The landing page allows users to download the apps, switch to the web version, access an FAQ section, and find support desk contact information.
Integrations
Pusher
for messaging in chats
Sendgrid
for emails
Adapty
for in-app purchases
in mobile applications
Stripe
for purchases
in the web version
Key features
The application offers the traditional features of a dating app, focusing on providing users with familiar and intuitive experiences rather than introducing new features.
Sign-up
During the sign-up process, the application requires only an email and a nickname. It doesn’t ask for any personal information, thereby preventing any data privacy violations.
Onboarding
After registering in the app, a user can fill out their profile information and complete a questionnaire to indicate the information they'd like to share and their preferences.
Matching
After completing the questionnaire, the app displays a list of matches based on shared interests. Users can then view these profiles.
Profile
Users can update their personal information and preferences at any time in their profile. The profile also allows them to view subscription plans and contact support.
Chats
The application allows users to exchange text and voice messages and report any issues they encounter.
The chat functionality is available only during a promotional period and for those with a subscription.
Favorites
Users can like the profiles of other users and add them to their favorites to prioritize their contacts. The favorites feature allows users to quickly access the profiles they have liked.
Killer feature
Anonymous matching
The unique proposition of the app is its ability to create matches based on users' interests without sharing photos or names.
The system calculates a match percentage and completely excludes individuals if there are certain answers where users didn't align. Users are then shown a list of matches ranked from highest to lowest match percentage.
Challenges we faced
We did everything in our power to assist our client through the App Store review process, but unfortunately, our initial release was still rejected. In response, we developed a web version of the app and integrated it with Stripe for transactions.
However, just to be sure, we resubmitted the same mobile app without any changes, and it successfully passed the review.
The application is available in both English and Arabic.
Our team conducted research and put in extra effort to make the app convenient and user-friendly for everyone.
Initially, we used the Mailgun service
for sending emails.
However, the shared server caused issues for Microsoft email users with @outlook.com and @hotmail.com domains, prompting us to quickly switch to SendGrid as our email provider.
Results
The project was successfully launched and approved by both app stores, and is now under our support and maintenance.
Within three months of its launch, the app had already gained 4,000 active users. It continues to grow and get new active users.
Feedback
The things I liked most about the company were the constant and very fast communication, the precise and highly professional work, and their willingness to always listen to feedback and discuss the best solutions when issues arose.
5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CEO of the Buke app development company
