Case Study

SuperQueer

INDUSTRY

Events

PLATFORM

FlutterFlow

PRODUCT TYPE

MVP

TIMELINE

Weeks

276

active users at launch

72%

engagement rate

Chris Smith

Founder

Introduction

Imagine you're part of a vibrant, diverse community spread across the globe. You want to connect, share experiences, and find resources, but there's no central place to do it all. That's the challenge Chris Smith and Sarah Stunt faced when they realized that they had never heard of InterPride, the international organization bringing together Pride organizers worldwide.

This gap in connectivity sparked an idea: what if there was a single, comprehensive platform where LGBTQ+ individuals could find events, resources, and community, no matter where they were?

SuperQueer, an ambitious project that started as a simple MVP built on Glide and quickly grew to encompass partnerships with Toronto Pride, Montreal Pride, and eventually, InterPride itself.

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But with success came growing pains:

How do you scale a platform from serving a local community to supporting 440 global partners?
When your data expands to over 300,000 rows, how do you maintain speed and usability?
How can you create a seamless experience for both individual users and large organizations managing bulk data?

These were the questions facing SuperQueer as they approached LowCode Agency. Their journey from a simple MVP to a global community hub would require rethinking their entire approach to app development, data management, and user experience.

This case study explores how LowCode Agency helped SuperQueer navigate these challenges, transitioning from Glide to a more robust FlutterFlow solution capable of supporting their growing global community. It's a story of innovation, community-building, and the power of low-code development in bringing ambitious visions to life.

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Client's situation

SuperQueer's journey took a significant turn when they partnered with InterPride, the international organization that brings together Pride organizers from across the world. This partnership was a game-changer, expanding SuperQueer's reach from local communities to a global network of 440 partners.

Chris, one of SuperQueer's founders, identified a crucial gap in the LGBTQ+ community's awareness: "I was 55 years old and had never heard of them as a gay woman, which is a problem." This realization led to a collaborative solution with InterPride, co-branding a single page on the SuperQueer app to create a unified platform for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide.

However, this rapid growth exposed the limitations of their initial MVP built on Glide. As their user base expanded and data volume burst, it became clear that SuperQueer had outgrown its original platform.

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Client's pain points

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1- Scalability Issues

With 440 global partners and over 300,000 rows of data, SuperQueer faced significant scalability challenges. Glide, while suitable for their MVP, struggled to handle the increased load and complexity of their growing network. This scalability issue not only affected system performance but also increased cognitive load for users, making it difficult for them to navigate and use the app effectively as it grew more complex.

2- Data Management Challenges

Managing vast amounts of data, particularly for large events like the ones InterPride held, became increasingly difficult. Each pride organization typically had hundreds of events that had to be loaded into the app, straining the system's capacity and efficiency.

3- Event Creation and Management

SuperQueer required a more streamlined approach to event management. They needed a solution that could handle both bulk uploads for large partners and individual event creation for individual users. This dual approach was crucial for leveraging social proof, as it would allow both major pride events and smaller community gatherings to be showcased, encouraging broader participation.

4- Consideration of Native App Development

As they outgrew Glide, SuperQueer contemplated whether to transition to a native app development approach to better serve their expanding user base. This consideration was driven by the need to create a more engaging user experience that could tap into the intrinsic motivation of the LGBTQ+ community, fostering a stronger sense of identity and belonging through the app.

5- Enhanced and Comprehensive Design

Design became a critical factor in representing the LGBTQ+ community's spirit. SuperQueer sought a platform that could offer more design flexibility to create an inclusive and vibrant user experience, aiming to transmit party vibes and create a space of celebration. This focus on design was not just aesthetic but also functional, as it needed to incorporate behavioral design principles to encourage desired behaviors such as event participation and resource sharing.

6- User Engagement and Community Building

The existing platform lacked features to fully engage users and build a strong sense of community. There was a need for implementing the endowed progress effect, showing users their progress in exploring community resources or attending events, which could encourage further engagement. Additionally, the app needed to better facilitate connections between users, leveraging the power of social proof to increase participation in events and use of resources.

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By addressing these interconnected challenges, SuperQueer aimed to create a platform that not only solved technical issues but also aligned with the psychological needs and motivations of the LGBTQ+ community. This approach would be crucial for creating a truly engaging and effective community hub.

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Project goals

SuperQueer's primary objective was to create a comprehensive community hub app, not just another travel application. The founders emphasized, "The aim and goal of the app is to create a hub. It's not a travel app; it's a community app."

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Key focus areas included:

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Events: Providing a centralized platform for LGBTQ+ events worldwide.

Voices Feed: Creating a space for community members to share their stories and experiences.

Resources: Offering access to essential community resources such as health services.

Business: Showcasing queer-owned businesses.

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The app aimed to help users find their identity wherever they go. For instance, a user traveling to Toronto could easily discover all LGBTQ+ events, resources, accommodations, and queer-owned businesses in the area for that week.

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Challenges

Data Entry and Management
Manually entering data for numerous events and resources was time-consuming and inefficient. SuperQueer needed a "one-stop shop" solution that could accommodate both bulk uploads and individual entries.
Integration with Social Media
The team wanted to integrate social media functionality, allowing for scheduled posts and cross-platform sharing of events while maintaining user privacy and safety.
Design Requirements for LGBTQ+ Branding
Capturing the essence of the LGBTQ+ community through design was crucial. SuperQueer wanted the app to reflect joy, amusement, and freedom, requiring a platform with advanced design capabilities.

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LowCode Agency's solution

After carefully considering SuperQueer's needs and challenges, we recommended transitioning from Glide to FlutterFlow. This solution directly addressed the client's pain points and offered several key advantages:

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Design Control
FlutterFlow offers full design control with extensive property customization, allowing SuperQueer to create the vibrant, inclusive interface they envisioned.
Backend Capabilities
FlutterFlow's integration with Supabase provides robust data storage, authentication, and scalability to handle SuperQueer's growing user base and data volume.
Code Generation
FlutterFlow's ability to translate visual designs into well-structured Flutter code ensures a solid foundation for future development and customization.
Scalability
With Supabase integration, FlutterFlow removes restrictions on growth, addressing SuperQueer's primary concern about handling increased data and users.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
FlutterFlow generates native apps for iOS, Android, and web from a single codebase, ensuring a consistent experience across all platforms.

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Conclusion and Results

The SuperQueer app represents a significant evolution from a local MVP to a global LGBTQ+ community hub. By leveraging FlutterFlow's capabilities and LowCode Agency's expertise, SuperQueer successfully addressed its scalability challenges while creating a vibrant, inclusive platform.

The new app not only meets SuperQueer's current needs but also positions them for future growth. With improved data management, enhanced design capabilities, and a robust backend, SuperQueer is now equipped to serve its 440 global partners and growing user base effectively.

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This case study demonstrates the power of low-code development in bringing ambitious visions to life, particularly for community-focused applications that require both scalability and a strong brand identity.

SuperQueer's journey from a Glide-based MVP to a comprehensive FlutterFlow solution showcases the potential for rapid, user-centric app development in the ever-evolving landscape of LGBTQ+ community engagement.

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