How Mavlers upgraded a WordPress-based talent platform into a feature-rich marketplace through agile
web development
About the client
The client is a multifaceted talent agency. They offer a range of services designed to connect and manage talent effectively across industries. They've multiple service lines in the play - consulting, building, running operations, partnering, innovating, and more.
What the client expected from the
upgraded talent platform
The client was clear about their requirement: they needed a scalable, role-specific, user-friendly platform that went beyond listing suppliers.
Their ask was for a system where:
- –Clients could post projects, form squads, and engage contractors.
- –Different models of work—time-based, fixed-price, recurring, and equity partnerships—could be supported.
- –Contractors could boost visibility and access premium opportunities.
- –Admins had the right tools to ensure oversight, verification, and quality control.
Transforming a simple talent platform into a
full-fledged marketplace wasn’t easy
The original platform was primarily designed on WordPress for suppliers and contractors to showcase their profiles and aid transactions. It did its job well. But it only covered half the vision. What the client envisioned was a full-fledged, two-sided marketplace.
The idea was straightforward. The execution? Not really.
These were the challenges they faced
From day one, we were staring down some tough challenges
Roles kept changing
Roles for clients, contractors, and admins kept shifting as the business model matured. The platform design and technical approach had to keep adapting.
Legacy systems got in the way
Some platform modules were already built in phase one and weren’t designed for marketplace flows. Improving them without breaking the existing features was like renovating a house while people were living in it.
The communication flow had technical limitations
The chat system couldn’t support new approval workflows, such as accepting or rejecting offers. We had to find a workable alternative.
Many roles to juggle
One platform had to serve clients, freelancers, contractor companies, and admins. Each has different permissions, visibility rules, and use cases.
Time was already running out
The project was already behind schedule when we came into the picture. We had to move fast without compromising on quality.
Mavlers’ solution to turning requirements
into a working marketplace
We knew adding new features to their existing platform would fall short of the client's broader vision.
Mavlers’ key solution to this was:
Client-specific features
For project creation, squad formation, and direct contractor bookings.
Four different squad types
Consult, Build, Run, Innovate squads, each with its own commercial model.
Premium membership plans
For contractors to boost visibility and access extra features.
Alternative approval workflow
For project creation, squad formation, and direct contractor bookings.
Admin oversight and control
For admins to verify profiles, approve skills, and maintain quality.
How we approached the
marketplace build differently
This wasn't just another WordPress development job. It needed product thinking, stakeholder management, and technical problem-solving.
Our approach was:
Deep requirement gathering
Conducted detailed kickoff sessions to define roles, permissions, and interactions clearly.
Design + Development alignment
Worked closely with designers to ensure data flow matched UI.
Iterative delivery
Adopted an agile, phased rollout with continuous client feedback.
Problem-solving mindset
Proposed workable alternatives where technical limitations arose.
Communication through strong PM ownership
The PM role here was critical. Kept stakeholders in sync, tracked changes, and made sure no decision got lost in email threads.
Cross-role testing
Tested user experience across all roles—clients, freelancers, companies, and admins.
Fast-tracking with agile timelines
The client needed Phase 1 live in just 320 hours (about 40 days). By folding user flow fixes into the same sprint cycle, we kept speed high without sacrificing usability.
Breaking down the platform’s core modules
To make the upgraded platform work, we built out core modules that tied everything together:
- 01
Project & Squad Management
Clients could create squads under four engagement models:
- 02
Offer & Quote System
A flexible pricing flow where clients could issue offers or contractors could submit their own quotes.
- 03
Job Board
Internal and public postings, with the option to push jobs to LinkedIn.
- 04
Role & Permission Management
Defined the capacity of clients, freelancers, companies, and admins, removing ambiguity from the workflow.
- 05
Premium Plans
Paid tiers for contractors that improved visibility and unlocked extra features.:
- 06
Admin Tools
Centralized controls for profile verification, skill approvals, badge management, and quality checks.
The impact: from listing site to
full-fledged marketplace
By the end of the upgrade, the platform had transformed from a basic supplier listing to a dynamic, scalable marketplace.
The platform now offers the client
Expanded business opportunities
Multiple ways to work
Better user engagement
Scalable architecture
Revenue potential
The team delivered exactly what we needed with a clear focus on quality and timelines. Communication was smooth throughout, and the final platform aligns really well with our vision. A reliable partner to work with.
- Founder of the brand
The road ahead is the real win
The real story here isn’t just that we shipped a working two-sided marketplace. It’s that we proved how aligning business goals, tech choices, and people can unlock something bigger than a feature list.
The client walked away with a platform that can flex as they grow. And we walked away reminded that juggling timelines, trade-offs, and tough calls is often where the real value gets built.
For Mavlers, the launch was only chapter one. The real payoff comes from how this marketplace can keep evolving, integrating, and scaling.
And that raises the bigger question — what’s your version of a marketplace moment? What’s the bold build that could change the way your business runs?