React, Next.js, Node.js
Material UI, Axios, Express
Donations Aggregator is a platform designed to streamline charitable donations for abandoned animals by funding treatment and shelter initiatives. In response to a client’s vision, the platform leverages QR codes in pet shops to guide pet lovers through a secure and user-friendly donation process. Each pet shop acts as an affiliate, earning a commission per donation while contributing to a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both the cause and the business.
Key Challenges and Solutions
- Balancing Security and Simplicity: Implemented SMS authentication using the smstoken API via a dedicated Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) in Next.js, unifying a legacy mobile login flow for a consistent experience.
- Seamless Payment Integration: Integrated Mercado Pago’s API to support both credit card and PIX transactions, ensuring that sensitive payment data was securely tokenized on the backend.
My Role
I led the development of Donations Aggregator, transforming the client’s vision into a robust, secure platform. I engineered the SMS authentication flow, revamped the legacy login process, and implemented a seamless, on-site checkout experience by integrating Mercado Pago’s API for secure payment processing.
Technical Highlights
- Secure Authentication: Leveraged the smstoken API with a dedicated BFF in Next.js to create a unified and secure login process.
- Payment Integration: Seamlessly integrated Mercado Pago’s API for both credit card and PIX payments, with tokenization of sensitive data enhancing security.
- Cohesive UI/UX: Adopted Material UI to build a consistent, modern interface that met the client’s specifications and improved usability, despite the absence of a dedicated designer.
Development Approach
- Client Collaboration: Worked closely with the client to define design and functionality, ensuring the platform was both secure and easy to use.
- Modernizing Legacy Systems: Integrated new technologies into an existing legacy environment, delivering a unified authentication and payment experience.
Outcome and Impact
Donations Aggregator effectively streamlines the donation process for abandoned animals while generating sustainable revenue for pet shop affiliates. As one of my first major freelance projects, it stands as a testament to my ability to build secure, scalable digital solutions that meet both business and user needs.
Key Learnings
This project reinforced the importance of integrating modern authentication and payment systems into legacy architectures. I learned to balance robust security measures with simplicity, ensuring a seamless and cohesive user experience throughout the platform.