The Problem
Our client envisioned building a hyper local on demand gig economy platform similar to Upwork or TaskRabbit but exclusively focused on verified everyday heroes like firefighters, paramedics, teachers, and local laborers. He needed an affordable way to test the market with a lean MVP that included job listings, user registration, dashboards, and payment flows. The challenge was to launch a custom service provider marketplace that connects clients and workers in real time, includes flexible pricing models, and works beautifully on both mobile and desktop without the overhead of a complex custom build.
Our Solution
To keep the initial build cost effective while maintaining quality, we developed Hero4Work using custom WordPress development paired with advanced form logic, Stripe payment integration, and a dynamic frontend experience. We designed two distinct user flows: one for job posters and another for local service providers (heroes). Both flows use multi step forms tailored to their roles, enabling efficient data collection and a frictionless user experience. We also built essential features like profile creation, job management, auto matching, alternative price offers, and review systems all packaged in a responsive, SEO friendly web interface.
What We Did
We created a mobile first landing page for local gig platforms, featuring two clear CTAs: "Hire a Hero" and "Become a Hero." These lead to thoughtfully designed onboarding flows that guide users based on their goals.
Service providers sign up via a multi step registration form, where they list their availability, city, service types (e.g., moving, yard work, tutoring), and credentials. Uploads for IDs and certifications are supported, helping establish trust and accountability on the platform.
We built an intuitive step by step job creation tool where users specify the job type, location, timing, requirements, pay structure (flat or hourly), and preferences (background checks, gear needs, team size). A Stripe checkout finalizes the $4.95 posting fee and optionally handles 7.5 percent revenue sharing.
Both job posters and heroes get personalized dashboards to track posted jobs, applications, progress, and reviews. Heroes can filter jobs by city, date, and budget, while clients can manage offers and payment approvals, including alternative price suggestions.
We developed an auto match algorithm to instantly pair jobs with relevant heroes based on skillsets, location radius, and availability. This reduces friction in last minute or urgent service requests.
Each job includes Stripe integration, offering flexible flat rate or hourly pay, tipping options, and travel surcharges. Workers can propose new pricing mid job, and customers can accept or reject it directly from their dashboard.
From registration to messaging, we ensured mobile responsiveness across all devices. Whether you're a homeowner on your phone or a hero checking job leads, the experience feels fluid and modern.
While Hero4Work launched as a lean MVP, we built its foundation with scalability in mind. Future additions like in app chat, background verification, and push notifications are ready for implementation.
Client Success Stories
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See AllAquila Bernard
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Their customer service is excellent — they’re incredibly accessible and available, which I appreciate. Furthermore, they have enough experience and bandwidth to fulfill all my needs. They’re one of the best vendors I’ve worked with.
Oscar Martinez
Project Manager
Idea Maker's portfolio is what drew us in. Their design style was in alignment with what we were after. We had initial consultations with 3 companies that we had narrowed it down to. Once we had our initial meeting with Tom at Idea Maker we knew we had the right choice to make. Their communication style works well for us.
JR Krebs
Project Lead, Legal Company
I have never had a site like this built before. I felt that Idea Maker and Tom had built numerous sites like this, and they were pros.
Ryan Beachum
Founder & CEO, HelloVacay
This is a boutique development firm where the Founder is directly involved with the project and the primary contact. This is unlike many development firms where you are simply handed off to developers that are not stakeholders. This is an important distinction that results in much better project accountability.
John Larkin
CEO, Advance CPE
The way they understand the requirements we present to them is fairly solid. Both in terms of bringing their own interpretation in nailing the requirements and their design sense. By the time we launched, I had gotten significantly more value from our collaboration than what we had discussed in the original specs.
Brennan Lodge
Founder, BLodgic LLC
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