In our daily business operations, we work with a wide

range of industrial and building-related products.

These include industrial valves, pumps and

accessories, construction equipment, precision tools,

piping and fittings, agricultural and gardening

products, electrical supplies, and more. Traditionally,

these products were presented and sold through

desktop-based systems, catalogs, and websites. While

this approach worked for many years, we began to

notice a growing gap between how customers actually

behave and how we were presenting our products.

This gap became the starting point for developing our

mobile applications.

Understanding the Real Customer Behavior

One simple observation changed our perspective:

People do not always sit behind a computer when they

make buying decisions.

Many of our customers are technicians, contractors,

engineers, or business owners. They are often:

• On construction sites

• In warehouses

• Visiting clients

• Moving between locations

In these situations, accessing a desktop computer is not

practical. However, almost everyone has a smartphone

in their pocket. This realization led us to a clear

conclusion: if our products are not easily accessible on

mobile, we are missing real opportunities.

Starting with an iOS Application

We began by developing an iOS app for our company.

The first goal was not to build a complex e-commerce

system, but rather a clean, fast, and reliable product

catalog that could be accessed anytime.

The iOS app focused on:

• Clear product categories

• Easy navigation

• Fast loading

• Practical product descriptions

• Direct contact with support

Instead of forcing users through long checkout

processes, we prioritized decision support. The app

helps users explore products, understand specifications,

and quickly ask questions.

Expanding to Android with Flutter

After the iOS app proved useful in real situations, the

next logical step was Android. Rather than developing

a second native app from scratch, we chose Flutter.

Flutter allowed us to:

• Reuse a single codebase

• Maintain consistent UI and behavior

• Reduce development and maintenance effort

• Release features faster on both platforms

This decision was not based on trends, but on

practicality. Flutter gave us enough performance and

flexibility while keeping the project manageable.

One Backend for Both Platforms: MongoDB

To support both iOS and Android apps, we needed a

backend that was flexible and scalable. We chose

MongoDB as the backend database for both platforms.

The reasons were straightforward:

• Flexible data structure for diverse product categories

• Easy adaptation when product attributes change

• Good performance for read-heavy catalog usage

• One unified backend for multiple platforms

Using a single backend simplified data management

and ensured that users see consistent information

regardless of device.

Making Product Access Easier Than Desktop

Our core belief was simple:

Presenting products on mobile is often more effective

than desktop.

A user might be:

• Standing in a shop

• Walking on the street

• Talking to a client

• Comparing options in real time

In such moments, opening a mobile app is faster than

waiting to reach a computer. The app becomes a

decision-making tool, not just a sales channel.

⸻

Integrating Real Communication: WhatsApp Support

Another key feature was direct communication. Many

customers do not want to fill forms or send emails.

They want quick answers.

We integrated easy access to WhatsApp support, allowing users to:

• Ask questions about products

• Send photos or requirements

• Get immediate feedback

This reduced friction between interest and action.

Instead of losing potential customers due to delayed

responses, conversations could start instantly.

Categories Designed for Real Usage

The app organizes products into clear, industry-

relevant categories, such as:

• Industrial valves

• Pumps and accessories

• Construction equipment

• Precision tools

• Pipes and fittings

• Agricultural and gardening products

• Electrical supplies

Each category is designed to be understandable even

for users who are not sitting in an office environment.

Lessons Learned

Through this process, we learned several important lessons:

• Mobile-first thinking is no longer optional

• Simplicity beats complexity in business apps

• One backend for multiple platforms saves time and

cost

• Communication is as important as presentation

• Apps do not need full checkout systems to be

effective

Sometimes, helping the customer decide is more

valuable than forcing a purchase flow.