About The Project
The client required a freelancer platform for a specific niche, which was cannabis content writers. That, and the integration of the multivendor plugin FES and digital submissions, were the primary requirements. Basically, cannabis brands face advertising restrictions on every mainstream social platform. So, there is always a need for proper marketing channels to reach people in this gray area.
As a development partner, we have customized a user-friendly platform for content creators and sellers. We also used third-party APIs to assess the quality of content submitted by content sellers. This guarantees that the receiver receives unique content. We have also created the needed back-end controls to manage the overall job.
The platform serves over 200 cannabis brands. The business model operates as a managed marketplace. Here, brands would post campaign briefs. Then, creators submit proposals, and all the content undergoes compliance review before publication. This vision of our client for such a platform was made possible by our team.
Key Project Deliverables
We provide solutions that empower employees to use our systems effortlessly.
User Activity Dashboard
Created user dashboards for everyone to track their daily activities and contacts. These dashboards show a complete view of performance. It is also very valuable for content organization and productivity.
Job Board Management
Built a complete job management system where the client can post a project, and freelancers can apply for the same. Freelancers can even showcase their skills and experience by submitting applications.
Payment & Commission
Upon completion of the job, clients can make a payment, and freelancers will receive it in their accounts after the commission is debited. This system guarantees that both parties can commit to a hassle-free transaction experience.
Messaging Module
We developed a messaging module that helps the client and the other party/freelancer to communicate. This keeps both parties connected and informed throughout the deal and connected through the platform.
Contact Quality Checker
When a freelancer submits content, we check the content quality by running a plagiarism checker. This ensures that all submissions meet our rigid standards before even getting approved for publication.
Mailchimp Integration
We have integrated Mailchimp for newsletter signups. Subscribers can receive all the important updates in the newsletters. Subscribers can even manage their preferences so they receive only the content that interests them.
Major Project Challenges
Cannabis marketing operates in a very dicey industry. Most federal prohibition conflicts with state legalization. A big challenge was securely managing the digital deliverables and NDAs online between two parties, and many more like them. While working on a digital platform, ensuring the security of deliverables and their quality is a challenge. A few more were:
- To develop a platform that helps clients and freelancers make their lives easier.
- Monthly, hourly, and fixed cost contact management.
- To check content quality before delivery.
- To have automated commission calculations and splitting.
- To have a filter that blocks spammers and abusive writing submissions.
Brands cannot use traditional payment processors like Stripe or PayPal, which classify cannabis as a restricted business. Also, content creators face platform bans for mentioning cannabis products, even in legal states.
Additionally, building trust in a marketplace where both sides operate in a legally gray area is a head-scratcher. It requires escrow systems and transparent dispute resolution.
Solutions & Impact
Security is very important for digital platforms. Our team works hard to keep things moving forward while also ensuring high quality and following ethical standards.
We created a WordPress multisite solution. It includes custom payment systems that work with Verifone and cannabis-friendly processors. Our compliance engine uses machine learning and human reviews. It checks content against keyword lists updated by state regulations.
To verify creators, we use third-party identity services and our own quizzes aligned with cannabis marketing rules. Our escrow system holds payments until we approve the content. Money is released automatically once the client agrees.
To make the system scalable, we set up a headless WordPress architecture with React for the front end. This is so that the mobile apps can use the same backend APIs. Our entire system operates on HIPAA-compliant hosting with top-level security to protect sensitive cannabis business data.
Project in Figures
5
Months
600
Estimated Man-hours
7
Team Size
Applied Technologies
More Screens
LOOKING FOR A DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNER?