GratisAftehalen.nl - Free Marketplace Platform

Ludulicious developed GratisAftehalen.nl, a comprehensive Dutch marketplace platform that enables users to list items they no longer need and find free items from others. The platform facilitates the exchange of valuable items that would otherwise be discarded, promoting environmental sustainability through reuse.

Development Challenges and Solutions

Advanced Search System

• High-Performance Search Engine: Built a fast search system using ASP.NET 9 with LINQ queries and ServiceStack, filtering advertisements by categories, keywords, and content with sub-second response times
• In-Memory Caching Strategy: Implemented extensive Redis caching for search results, user sessions, and frequently accessed data to ensure optimal performance
• Saved Search Functionality: Developed an email notification system that alerts users when new items match their saved search criteria
• Location-Based Filtering: Implemented geographic search capabilities allowing users to find items in their local area

User Portal and Communication

• Integrated Messaging System: Created a built-in messaging platform enabling direct communication between users for item exchanges
• Real-time Notifications: Implemented SignalR for instant notification system for new messages and responses to listings
• User Dashboard: Developed a comprehensive portal where users can manage their listings, track responses, and monitor their marketplace activity

Project Results

The platform has successfully facilitated thousands of item exchanges, with over 200,000 users either giving away or receiving free products. The technical architecture developed by Ludulicious has enabled sub-second search response times and maintained 99.9% uptime, creating a reliable platform for sustainable community sharing.

The marketplace has contributed to environmental sustainability by promoting reuse over disposal, while the user-friendly interface and reliable performance have earned positive feedback from the client and platform users.

Technologies Used

• Frontend: Razor Pages for main site, Durandal.js with Knockout for user portal
• Backend: ASP.NET Core 9.0, C#, ServiceStack, OrmLite
• Database: PostgreSQL with Redis for extensive in-memory caching
• Real-time Communication: SignalR for instant messaging and notifications
• CDN: Custom highly optimized CDN for image upload and download
• Performance: LINQ queries with ServiceStack for fast data access

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