context
Makesales needed a vendor portal that could handle everything: product management, order processing, invoicing, payouts, coupons, and a complete website builder. The challenge was creating something powerful enough for complex operations while remaining approachable for small business owners with limited technical expertise.
constraints
- >Had to support real-time order updates without overwhelming the server
- >Website builder needed to be flexible but not intimidating
- >Multiple vendors sharing infrastructure meant strict data isolation
- >Performance had to stay fast even with thousands of products
approach
I built the portal as a modular system where each feature (products, orders, invoices, etc.) could operate independently but share a common design language. Real-time updates via WebSocket kept vendors informed without constant polling.
key decisions
- >Used optimistic UI updates for instant feedback on actions
- >Separated critical paths (order processing) from secondary features (analytics)
- >Built a preview mode for the website builder so vendors see changes instantly
- >Ensured that error handling is smooth and users are not left in the dark.
outcome
Vendors can now onboard and manage their stores end-to-end without technical support. The customizable storefront gives each vendor a unique web presence while maintaining consistent performance and security across the platform.