Shugaland, real estate management platform

Shugaland's request sounded straightforward: build a web application that would serve as a meeting ground for Nigeria's real estate ecosystem. Yet, the project came with several complexities, demanding careful attention to local market dynamics, cultural preferences, and industry-specific practices, which make Nigerian real estate unique.

The pressure was immediate and practical. Shugaland team required an MVP that worked within strict budget constraints, and they needed improvements to their existing development foundation. So, the company turned to Brights to complete the initial vision.

While Shugaland team retained their in-house product owner, Brights’ role extended beyond writing code. The project needed structure, clarity, and a development approach solid enough to deliver a reliable platform.

We established a clear Scrum process with well-defined Definitions of Ready (DoR) and Done (DoD) for each increment. This was our insurance against the kind of miscommunication and scope creep that often sink MVP projects. We worked closely with Shugaland team to shape requirements, ensuring that what seemed clear in conversation would translate into clear development tasks.

Our coaching in LEAN development practices became particularly valuable in achieving efficient and resource-saving delivery. We also helped the client develop a product roadmap with distinct phases and milestones, providing everyone involved with a shared understanding of where we were headed and how we'd know when we'd arrived.

Using the design provided by our client, we built a web application that serves all three key players in Nigeria's real estate market: customers seeking properties, agents facilitating deals, and development companies bringing new projects to market. The platform needed to feel familiar to local users while introducing new capabilities they hadn't experienced before. Ultimately, the key features we developed focused on three critical areas.

Visual storytelling functionality
Properties need more than basic specifications to attract buyers. We implemented visual showcase features that enable sellers to present their properties with multiple images and descriptions, giving potential buyers a clearer picture of what's available beyond standard listing formats.

Advanced account validation
Nigeria's high rate of telephone fraud presented a significant challenge that couldn't be ignored. We implemented advanced account validation mechanisms that protect users without creating friction. The system needed to be thorough enough to catch fraudsters, but smooth enough that legitimate users would barely notice it.

Complete transaction processing
Rather than forcing users to juggle multiple platforms and payment systems, we're currently developing complete real estate transaction capabilities directly within Shugaland. This will include payment processing and property ownership validation, allowing users to handle all their transaction needs in one place.

10x сost reduction & Scalable infrastructure:
The infrastructure work alone delivered immediate value. We designed and implemented a cost-efficient setup on AWS that cut the client's infrastructure costs to one-tenth of their initial expenses. In addition to saving money, it also helped create a foundation that could scale efficiently as the platform grew.

Clean launch with <0.1% issue rate:
Throughout the development process, we adhered to Clean Architecture principles and maintained rigorous delivery standards. The result was a product launch with an issue density of less than 0.1%, which reflects careful coding, as well as thoughtful planning and execution. The MVP went live on schedule and functioned smoothly from day one, providing Shugaland with a stable foundation.

Ongoing partnership & Product evolution:
As with most Brights’ projects, our relationship with Shugaland didn't end with the MVP launch. We continue working together to develop and improve the product, adding new features that respond to user feedback and market opportunities.