Working at a startup that connects users with local services — from taxis to salons and deliveries — has been a crash course in real-world software design. Our app, Patoko
, integrates over 1500 taxis and countless local businesses, offering what many would call a super app experience for everyday services.
Here are some of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way.
1. Real-world data is messy
Integrating multiple service types means dealing with inconsistent or incomplete data.
Even something as basic as addresses or business hours can vary widely between providers.
Takeaway: Build systems that tolerate imperfection. Expect the unexpected, and design for flexibility.
2. UX decisions are backend decisions
In a super app environment, small design choices can prevent entire categories of errors.
For example:
Verifying a pickup location for taxis reduces backend exceptions.
Adding simple fallback options for unavailable services improves reliability.
Good UX isn’t just nice to have — it directly reduces system complexity.
3. Ship small, iterate fast
With over 1500 taxis and multiple service categories, it’s impossible to predict every edge case.
Lesson learned: Start small, gather real-world feedback, and evolve the system iteratively. This approach prevents wasted effort and makes scaling more manageable.
4. Observability > Premature optimization
When building a super app, knowing what’s happening in the system is more important than squeezing out performance early.
Logging, monitoring, and basic dashboards are invaluable. They help you catch issues before they cascade across multiple services.
5. Local context matters
A super app isn’t just about tech; it’s about understanding local behaviors and constraints.
Every city, community, and service type has its own patterns. Designing flexible systems that can adapt to local realities is key to long-term success.
🧩 Final Thoughts
Working in a local services super app has taught me that building digital systems is as much about people and context as it is about code.
For developers working on marketplaces, logistics platforms, or multi-service apps, embracing the imperfections of real-world data and user behavior isn’t a compromise — it’s where the learning and innovation happen.
Learn more about our journey at Patoko
.
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