Completed

AutoBuffy: Auto Parts Ecommerce Platform

Services Covered:

Web Application Development • E-commerce Development

Industry

E-commerce & Retail

20 months

Budget

200K - 999K

Start Date

1 October 2022

Team Size

6-10

Engagement Model

Offshore

Project Capability Score (PCS)

N/A

Not Available

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Client

AutoBuffy

United States of America

Project Summary

A user-friendly platform that simplifies finding and purchasing auto parts online, with a diverse selection so customers find exactly what they need. AutoBuffy, a leading eCommerce store for auto parts, reached out to enhance website functionality and user experience — faster part search across a huge catalog, flexible payment options, stronger technical SEO, higher-availability infrastructure, and real-time inventory synchronization.

Key Challenges

Searching for a part by make, year, and model was slow because of excessively large database tables holding detailed part information. Unlike most US eCommerce platforms, the system had no “buy now, pay later” payment method. Serious SEO gaps from missing technical SEO, compounded by an outdated Angular 8 frontend. An inadequate server structure struggled with heavy API call and IO volume, slowing the site under traffic. Large files were uploaded to the server first and then to S3 — a slow, costly round trip. Inventory updates were manual via FTP, CSV, and Excel; real-time updates without manual work were critical.

Project Deliverables

Geolocation-based part recommendations: Detects the user’s location to instantly suggest the most popular parts and kits in their area, making search faster and more relevant. Real-time inventory microservice: Keeps inventory synced with vendor portals for always up-to-date availability, with dedicated APIs for authenticated users and admins. Buy Now, Pay Later: Offers PayPal, AfterPay, debit, and credit options — boosting sales by 50% while giving customers financial flexibility. Streamlined returns process: A well-defined return workflow resolves issues quickly, making shopping hassle-free and reinforcing trust. AI-powered support chatbot: Personalizes responses by location and demographics for a highly relevant, engaging support experience. Advanced parts search algorithm: Delivers real-time, relevant suggestions as users type, so they instantly find the right parts across a vast catalog.

Project Solution

Caching alone did not help, so we integrated Elasticsearch, refined the database structure, and added indexing to accelerate search dramatically. We implemented Klarna Buy Now, Pay Later integrated with Stripe, thoroughly tested for reliability and a smooth checkout. We added Server-Side Rendering and upgraded Angular from 8 to 13 in 20 days, boosting SEO performance and sales. We introduced AWS load balancers and auto-scaling, and split UI and admin onto separate servers so user experience stays unaffected during heavy admin uploads. We implemented direct-to-S3 uploads from the frontend, cutting server cost and utilization for file uploads. We built a new microservice automating inventory for all parts and vendors with real-time updates and APIs for seamless synchronization.

Project Outcome

Streamlined search drastically reduced search times and increased user satisfaction. Flexible payment solutions broadened the customer base and boosted sales. Advanced SEO strategies raised visibility, increasing clicks and engagement. System reliability held up even during peak loads. Inventory management reached real-time accuracy and operational efficiency.