- Hybrid Storage Strategy: MySQL handles relational user data and match records; MongoDB stores high-frequency chat logs separately to prevent write contention and keep SQL tables lean.
- Redis Presence Layer: Online/offline user status offloaded entirely to Redis, eliminating expensive real-time MySQL polling and keeping presence lookups under milliseconds.
- Multi-Criteria Matchmaking Engine: Custom Laravel algorithm scoring compatibility across multiple profile dimensions with optimised query execution.
- Stripe Subscription Billing: Full subscription lifecycle management — plan creation, recurring billing, webhook-driven payment recovery for failed charges.
Overview
Built a custom social networking and dating platform on Laravel featuring a multi-criteria matchmaking engine, hybrid database architecture for performance at scale, and a fully automated Stripe subscription billing system — growing to over 20,000 active users.
Business Problem
The client needed a scalable social + dating platform that could handle high-frequency user interactions, intelligent matchmaking, and automated recurring revenue — without the limitations of off-the-shelf templates that couldn't support the data complexity or user volume they were targeting.
Project Metadata
Industry Context
Social Networking & Online Dating — Consumer B2C SaaS
Engagement Type
Lead Backend Architect & Developer (Sole Backend Developer)
Platform Preview
System Architecture & Matching Engine
graph TD
Client[Web & Mobile Frontend] --> App[PHP Core Platform]
App --> Redis[Redis Sessions / Active Chats]
App --> DB[(MySQL User Clusters)]
What Was Built & Engineered
Verified Outcomes & Impact
- ✅ Scaled to 20,000+ active users without database bottlenecks
- ✅ Redis presence cache eliminated MySQL overload during peak concurrent usage
- ✅ Automated Stripe webhook processing recovered failed payments with zero manual intervention
- ✅ Hybrid MySQL + MongoDB design kept query performance consistent as user data grew
Interested in a similar build?
Let's discuss how we can design a secure, high-concurrency architecture tailored specifically to your business constraints and scaling goals.