Good Market Info > Platform Help > Software Roadmap

Software Roadmap

This page provides background on the development of the community platform and an overview of upcoming improvements and new features. All community members are encouraged to share feedback and improvements. Cocreators have access to more detailed updates and are able to vote to prioritize improvements and features.

Background

The Good Market community platform is a responsive web app that was designed to be used on mobile phones. The app can be used in any browser across any type of device by going to www.goodmarket.global.

A web app was chosen for the following reasons:

Visible: It can be found in search from any device.

Easy to Access: Information can be quickly accessed from search or a link without needing to download an app.

Inclusive: People with limited data plans or connectivity can participate without having to download software or frequent software updates.

Open Web: Many Good Market community members choose to avoid “walled gardens” owned by profit-maximizing companies.

Progressive Web App (PWA)

The software team recently completed a rebuild to transition to React.js and single page application (SPA) architecture. They are currently working on transitioning from a web app to a PWA. This will make it easier to use the app offline or in low signal areas, add Good Market to a home screen, and handle notifications.

Native apps are developed for one particular type of mobile device and must be downloaded from an app store and installed directly onto the device.

Responsive web apps are designed to be used on mobile phones. They can be added to the home screen of a mobile phone or tablet without any downloads.

Progressive web apps (PWA) combine the best of both native apps and web apps.

	PWA	Web App	Native App
Accessible from search engines	✓	✓	✘
Easily shareable links	✓	✓	✘
Works across all devices	✓	✓	✘
No download required	✓	✓	✘
No updates required	✓	✓	✘
Offline functionality	✓	✘	✓
Mobile push notifications	✓	✘	✓
Easy to add to home screen	✓	✘	✓
Full screen experience	✓	✘	✓

Marketplace

Integrations

Many Good Market approved enterprises already have online stores and marketplaces. They are requesting apps and plugins that enable them to display their current marketplace listings on the Good Market platform.

Online Payments

Currently community members are using the basic marketplace for information about free opportunities and events, social commerce through chat and directing traffic to existing websites, ecommerce sites, booking engines, or other platforms, but there are many requests for onsite payments. The focus will be on platform integrations, low transaction fees and international transfers so that community members in all countries can participate.

Marketplace Improvements

The initial marketplace release was very basic. As community members continue to add products, services, events, opportunities, places to visit, and other content to the community marketplace, it becomes more clear what the future requirements are. This will inform future improvements related to search, filters, and the marketplace user experience.

Chat to Cart

Traditional ecommerce sites work best for enterprises that have a large inventory of uniform products that can be directly added to a cart. Many Good Market community members have products that are unique handmade, upcycled or customizable. The “chat to cart” feature is for community members with one-of-a-kind products that require additional communication before the order is finalized.

Custom Quote

Many Good Market community members are involved in both B2C and B2B trade and are looking for opportunities to supply products to distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and private label buyers. In the future, it will be possible to use marketplace chat to send custom quotes for large or customized orders.

Community Currency

Initially, marketplace payments will be tested with fiat currency, but the long-term goal is to partner with others to integrate mutual credit and other forms of community currency. If Good Market approved enterprises and local networks are able to trade using community currency, it will increase economic resilience and strengthen the new economy movement.

Community

Improved Chat

As part of the initial rebuild, the chat page will be redesigned to make it more mobile responsive and easier to use. A search bar will also be added to make it easier to find past conversations.

Improved Forum

The initial forum release was very basic. As community members have added and replied to questions, the requirements have become more clear. As part of the initial rebuild, the forum page will be redesigned to include improved category and location tags and filter and search options. The design will also be updated to work better on mobile phones.

Group Chat

The same service provider that is used for direct chat can be used for group chat as well. Individuals, enterprises, and networks will be able to form groups, define the topic, language, location (if relevant), and community rules, and invite participants. As an interim measure, Good Market has helped facilitate group chats off-site, but many community members are trying to avoid Facebook owned services like Messenger, Facebook Groups, and WhatsApp.

Translation of Community Content

The online application, profile page, and other static content is translated by the community using the OneSky translation platform. In the future, the Google Translation API will be used to translate community content including marketplace listings, forums, and profile page description paragraphs. This will make it easier to connect and share information across language barriers.

Developer Platform

Good Market is committed to interoperability and integration with other software tools and platforms. Systems will be put in place to enable developers to offer extensions or integrate the platform with other services. Additional services might include APIs for headless commerce, social network features, impact reporting, procurement tools, blockchain based supply chain tracking, community currencies, media and content integrations, etc.