Local Pros: mobile-first platform for finding local professionals

Project summary

Local Pros is a mobile-first service marketplace created for a U.S. real estate agency that wanted to offer its customers a simple way to find trusted professionals in their new neighborhood based on ZIP code.

The agency had never worked with software developers before and came to WaveAccess with only a business idea. We helped define the concept, shape the feature set, set realistic expectations, and turn the idea into a functional platform.

The result is a secure iOS and Android app with ZIP-code search, a subscription model for professionals, license-based verification, and a rating system that protects listing quality. The platform is designed with built-in support for future monetization, including prepared Stripe and Apple Pay integrations. The architecture supports more than 40,000 ZIP codes and 4 million ZIP × category combinations (where a category represents a professional field or type of service).

WaveAccess also took full responsibility for managing Apple’s approval process, including payment logic clarification, and compliance requirements.

Business goal

The client’s real estate agents receive constant requests from people moving into new neighborhoods: “Do you know a good contractor, lawyer, babysitter, or landscaper near my new home?”

The agency wanted to formalize this into a product:

• a convenient, mobile-first app for customers

• a platform designed with long-term business flexibility in mind

• a platform that could scale across all U.S. states

They were seeking to address the market gap, where existing platforms often lack granular filtering and reliable verification of service providers.

The agency had domain expertise, but no experience in software development, product design, or managing a technical project. They needed a partner who could guide them through the entire process — from idea to full store release.

WaveAccess stepped in to help plan, design, develop, and launch the platform.

Our approach: shaping the idea and building the MVP

Product Discovery as a foundation

We started with a set of Product Discovery sessions to define the scope, identify hidden requirements, and organize the roadmap. This step was essential because many technical elements — such as subscription logic, Stripe integration, waitlist behavior, payment integration readiness (Stripe and Apple Pay) and compliance needs — had not been considered yet.

It helped:

• align the features with the budget

• prevent unnecessary rework

• build a realistic delivery plan

• prepare for future scalability

A flexible collaboration model

Since the client had no previous development experience, the concept evolved during development. We structured the workflow to support quick clarifications, frequent syncs, and iterative decision-making. This allowed the business vision to mature without slowing down engineering.

We framed the MVP as a practical foundation — an initial working product that early users could test. After gathering feedback and validating the core model, we moved to the next phase and delivered a full-featured solution, prepared for public release, long-term operation and enhancements.

How Local Pros works: technical overview

The solution includes all core features needed for a functioning service marketplace.

Mobile application (iOS and Android)

A clean, intuitive mobile app that lets customers browse local professionals, explore profiles, and view their ratings. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

ZIP- and category-based search

The core of the marketplace is built around a structured database:

• 40,000 U.S. ZIP codes supported

• 4 million ZIP × category combinations

• Search displays up to 5 professionals per ZIP and category combination, enabled by a subscription-based visibility model built into the platform

This structured ZIP- and category-based model allows the platform to expand nationwide without performance loss and without redesigning core components.

Professional onboarding and verification

Local Pros brings together a wide range of specialists — from contractors, movers, and landscapers to lawyers, tutors, babysitters, cleaners, pet-care providers, and other service professionals.

Professionals can:

• register and manage their profiles

• upload licenses or verification documents

• track and manage their subscriptions directly in the app

All registration and account management flows are handled within the app. Payment integrations are implemented at the platform level and prepared for future activation.

Search and contact flow

Access requires registration, which users can complete in one tap using their Apple or Google account.

For each chosen category and ZIP code, they see a curated list of professionals. When they tap “Call” or “Email,” the app opens the phone’s native apps. This allowed our client to stay within budget and avoid the added complexity of in-app messaging.

Ratings and reviews

The review system includes:

• 1-5 star ratings

• optional review text

• automatic suspension after three 1-star reviews

This keeps the quality of listings high from day one.

Security and compliance

• Encrypted data transfer

• Secure credential storage

• Two-factor authentication for any user account

• Compliance with U.S. privacy laws (CCPA/CPRA)

• Monthly data backups

• Clear Terms of Use and Privacy Policy aligned with App Store requirements

Challenges and how we solved them

Translating a business idea into a working product

The client had strong market insight but no technical background. WaveAccess helped:

• interpret business logic into technical architecture

• validate assumptions

• avoid unnecessary complexity

• stay within budget constraints

• build a roadmap for future growth

Managing Apple’s approval process

Apple had strict expectations for payment flows, subscription rules, refund logic, App Store jurisdiction compliance, and use of Apple Pay.

WaveAccess managed the entire conversation with Apple, adjusted the payment system, and aligned the app with App Store policies — thus, removing a major barrier for the client.

Ensuring scalability

Supporting a nationwide service marketplace required careful data structuring. The architecture allows new categories, and additional ZIP codes to be added without rewriting the system.

Business value and early results

Local Pros gives our client a new digital product that expands their core services:

• A nationwide ZIP-based marketplace that supports all U.S. regions

• A monetization-ready platform architecture, with subscription logic implemented and ready for future activation

• Secure payment infrastructure in place through Stripe and Apple Pay

• High data security, which reduces operational and reputational risks

• Low administrative overhead thanks to automation

• High trust through verification and rating rules<

• A mobile-first experience that aligns with how U.S. consumers search for local services

The client is now actively filling the app with service providers across multiple states, building a community of professionals eager to join the platform.

Future perspectives

The roadmap for next releases includes:

• activation of monetization features

• admin dashboard with analytics and moderation tools

• extended search radius and geolocation-based logic

• improved AI-based review moderation

• option to respond to customer reviews

• AI-based spam detection

• new service categories

The current architecture fully supports such expansion without major redesign.