Social Networking Platform
Budget: £750 – £1,500 GBP
# PROJECT BRIEF – CONFIDENTIAL SOCIAL NETWORKING & DATING PLATFORM
## Introduction
We are looking for an experienced developer or development team to build a modern, scalable social networking and dating platform.
The first version of the platform will primarily target gay men, with a strong emphasis on privacy, genuine connections, friendship, safety and premium membership features.
This is a confidential project, so the platform name and branding will only be shared with the successful developer.
Our aim is not simply to build a website, but to create a scalable platform that can continue to evolve over time.
The platform should launch as a responsive website with Progressive Web App (PWA) functionality, giving users an app-like experience across desktop, Android and iPhone. We would also like an optional quotation for native iOS and Android applications, either as part of this project or as a future phase.
Long-term, we intend to launch additional versions of the platform for different audiences (for example, women) using the same core functionality and architecture. The platform should therefore be designed so that future versions can be created by reusing the same codebase with different branding and configuration, rather than requiring a complete rebuild.
We are looking for a long-term development partner who can help us grow the platform.
---
# Preferred Technology
We are open to recommendations including a full APP but we have had a quote on a PWA, however our preferred technology stack includes:
* WordPress
* BuddyBoss Platform
* BuddyBoss Theme
* MemberPress
* Stripe
* GeoMyWP
* Firebase Push Notifications
* OpenStreetMap
* Custom plugin development where required
If you believe another architecture would better support the long-term vision, please explain your recommendation.
---
# Membership Structure
## Free Members
Free members should be able to:
* Create a profile
* Upload profile photos
* Upload profile videos
* Browse member profiles
* Send unlimited winks
* Start up to **5 new conversations per day**
* Continue existing conversations without restriction
* View the last **3 profile visitors**
* View the last **3 users who winked**
* Add friends
* Share private albums with friends
* Use basic search filters
* Access the Live Member Map
---
## Premium Members
Premium Membership:
* £7.50 per month
* £60 per year
Premium members should receive:
* Unlimited new conversations
* Unlimited profile visitor history
* Unlimited wink history
* Unlimited video viewing
* Advanced search filters
* Read receipts
* Incognito Mode
* Priority profile placement
* Travel Mode
* Future premium features
---
# Homepage Experience
Rather than immediately displaying the member directory, users should first select what they are currently looking for.
Example categories:
* Looking for Fun
* Friends
* Relationship
* Gym Buddies
* Friends With Benefits
* Skip the Chat
Selecting one of these categories should automatically display a live member grid filtered by users who have selected the same "Looking For" option in their profile.
---
# User Profiles
Profiles should include:
* Display Name
* Age
* Location
* Looking For
* Interested In
* Sexuality
* Position
* Ethnicity
* HIV Status
* Smoker
* Travel / Accommodation
* About Me
* Interests
* Relationship Goals
* Photos
* Videos
* Verification Badge
Please advise which fields should be searchable and which should support configurable privacy settings.
---
# Profile Photos
Users must not be able to register without either:
* Uploading a profile photograph
or
* Selecting one of our branded avatars.
Blank profile images should not be permitted.
---
# Photo Moderation
We do not wish to allow explicit or overly sexual profile photographs.
Please recommend the most appropriate moderation solution, whether manual moderation, AI moderation or a third-party moderation service, and include any ongoing costs.
---
# Age Verification
As this is an adults-only UK platform, stronger age verification than self-declaration is required.
Please recommend the most suitable solution and provide estimated setup and ongoing costs.
Examples include:
* Yoti
* Veriff
* Sumsub
* Stripe Identity
---
# Verification
Verified users should receive a visible verification badge.
Please recommend the most appropriate verification workflow.
---
# Messaging
Private one-to-one messaging.
### Free Members
* Maximum of five new conversations started each day.
* Unlimited replies within existing conversations.
### Premium Members
* Unlimited conversations.
* Read receipts.
* Real-time messaging.
* Push notifications.
---
# Wink System (Custom Feature)
Members should be able to send unlimited winks.
Free members should see only the last three users who winked at them.
Premium members should have unlimited wink history.
---
# Profile Visitors (Custom Feature)
Track profile visitors.
Free members should see only their last three visitors.
Premium members should have unlimited visitor history.
---
# Friend System
Users should be able to:
* Send friend requests
* Accept requests
* Reject requests
* Remove friends
---
# Mutual Private Photo Sharing (Custom Feature)
Private albums should not work in the traditional way.
If one user requests access to another user's private album, both users must agree before either person's private albums become visible.
If either user removes permission, both albums should immediately become private again.
---
# Video Profiles
Users should be able to upload profile videos.
Each video should support:
* Private
* Friends Only
* Public
Free Members:
* Can upload videos.
* Cannot view public videos.
* Can only view videos shared with them by friends.
Premium Members:
* Can view all public videos.
* Can view friends' videos.
* Unlimited viewing.
---
# Privacy Controls
Members should be able to control:
* Online Status
* Last Seen
* Distance Visibility
* Profile Visibility
Distance options should include:
* Exact
* Approximate
* Hidden
---
# Incognito Mode (Premium)
Premium members should be able to:
* Browse anonymously.
* Hide online status.
* Hide last seen.
* Hide distance.
* Avoid appearing in visitor history.
---
# Search & Discovery
Basic Filters:
* Age
* Distance
* Online Status
Premium Filters:
* Interests
* Relationship Goals
* Verified Members
* Recently Active
---
# Live Member Map
The Live Member Map should be available to **all members** from launch.
Features required:
* Display nearby members on a live map.
* Adjustable search radius.
* Real-time updates.
* OpenStreetMap preferred.
* Users can choose whether to display their exact location, an approximate location, or hide their location entirely.
* Users can disable their visibility on the map if they choose.
Please recommend the most efficient and scalable implementation.
---
# Travel Mode
Travel Mode should be available to Premium members.
Users should be able to:
* Select another city.
* Browse members before travelling.
* Appear within the selected location.
---
# Push Notifications
Push notifications should include:
* Messages
* Winks
* Profile Views
* Friend Requests
* Verification Approval
* Subscription Renewals
* Premium Upgrade Notifications
These should function across:
* Website
* Progressive Web App (PWA)
* Android
* iPhone
---
# Payments
Stripe integration.
Membership options:
* Monthly Subscription
* Annual Subscription
Recurring billing required.
---
# Safety & Moderation
Please include:
* User reporting
* User blocking
* Mute functionality
* Admin moderation dashboard
* Suspend users
* Ban users
* Photo moderation
* Video moderation
* Spam protection
* Fake profile detection
* GDPR compliance
---
# Admin Dashboard
Administrator functionality should include:
* User management
* Subscription management
* Verification approval
* Content moderation
* User reports
* Analytics
* Moderation logs
---
# Design Requirements
The platform should have a premium, modern appearance with a mobile-first design.
Requirements include:
* Dark mode
* Fast loading
* Premium user experience
* Clean, intuitive interface
* Optimised for mobile devices
---
# Performance & Scalability
The platform should:
* Support significant user growth.
* Be secure.
* Be GDPR compliant.
* Be optimised for speed.
* Be easy to maintain.
* Allow future functionality to be added with minimal redevelopment.
The platform should also be architected so that future versions aimed at different audiences (for example, women) can be created using the same core codebase, functionality and database structure while supporting separate branding, configuration and user communities.
---
# Deliverables
Please include:
* Complete responsive website
* Progressive Web App (PWA)
* Theme and plugin configuration
* Custom plugin development where required
* Testing before launch
* Technical documentation
* Deployment assistance
* Hosting recommendations
* Ongoing support options
Please also provide an **optional separate quotation** for native iOS and Android applications, either as part of this project or as a future phase.
---
## Introduction
We are looking for an experienced developer or development team to build a modern, scalable social networking and dating platform.
The first version of the platform will primarily target gay men, with a strong emphasis on privacy, genuine connections, friendship, safety and premium membership features.
This is a confidential project, so the platform name and branding will only be shared with the successful developer.
Our aim is not simply to build a website, but to create a scalable platform that can continue to evolve over time.
The platform should launch as a responsive website with Progressive Web App (PWA) functionality, giving users an app-like experience across desktop, Android and iPhone. We would also like an optional quotation for native iOS and Android applications, either as part of this project or as a future phase.
Long-term, we intend to launch additional versions of the platform for different audiences (for example, women) using the same core functionality and architecture. The platform should therefore be designed so that future versions can be created by reusing the same codebase with different branding and configuration, rather than requiring a complete rebuild.
We are looking for a long-term development partner who can help us grow the platform.
---
# Preferred Technology
We are open to recommendations including a full APP but we have had a quote on a PWA, however our preferred technology stack includes:
* WordPress
* BuddyBoss Platform
* BuddyBoss Theme
* MemberPress
* Stripe
* GeoMyWP
* Firebase Push Notifications
* OpenStreetMap
* Custom plugin development where required
If you believe another architecture would better support the long-term vision, please explain your recommendation.
---
# Membership Structure
## Free Members
Free members should be able to:
* Create a profile
* Upload profile photos
* Upload profile videos
* Browse member profiles
* Send unlimited winks
* Start up to **5 new conversations per day**
* Continue existing conversations without restriction
* View the last **3 profile visitors**
* View the last **3 users who winked**
* Add friends
* Share private albums with friends
* Use basic search filters
* Access the Live Member Map
---
## Premium Members
Premium Membership:
* £7.50 per month
* £60 per year
Premium members should receive:
* Unlimited new conversations
* Unlimited profile visitor history
* Unlimited wink history
* Unlimited video viewing
* Advanced search filters
* Read receipts
* Incognito Mode
* Priority profile placement
* Travel Mode
* Future premium features
---
# Homepage Experience
Rather than immediately displaying the member directory, users should first select what they are currently looking for.
Example categories:
* Looking for Fun
* Friends
* Relationship
* Gym Buddies
* Friends With Benefits
* Skip the Chat
Selecting one of these categories should automatically display a live member grid filtered by users who have selected the same "Looking For" option in their profile.
---
# User Profiles
Profiles should include:
* Display Name
* Age
* Location
* Looking For
* Interested In
* Sexuality
* Position
* Ethnicity
* HIV Status
* Smoker
* Travel / Accommodation
* About Me
* Interests
* Relationship Goals
* Photos
* Videos
* Verification Badge
Please advise which fields should be searchable and which should support configurable privacy settings.
---
# Profile Photos
Users must not be able to register without either:
* Uploading a profile photograph
or
* Selecting one of our branded avatars.
Blank profile images should not be permitted.
---
# Photo Moderation
We do not wish to allow explicit or overly sexual profile photographs.
Please recommend the most appropriate moderation solution, whether manual moderation, AI moderation or a third-party moderation service, and include any ongoing costs.
---
# Age Verification
As this is an adults-only UK platform, stronger age verification than self-declaration is required.
Please recommend the most suitable solution and provide estimated setup and ongoing costs.
Examples include:
* Yoti
* Veriff
* Sumsub
* Stripe Identity
---
# Verification
Verified users should receive a visible verification badge.
Please recommend the most appropriate verification workflow.
---
# Messaging
Private one-to-one messaging.
### Free Members
* Maximum of five new conversations started each day.
* Unlimited replies within existing conversations.
### Premium Members
* Unlimited conversations.
* Read receipts.
* Real-time messaging.
* Push notifications.
---
# Wink System (Custom Feature)
Members should be able to send unlimited winks.
Free members should see only the last three users who winked at them.
Premium members should have unlimited wink history.
---
# Profile Visitors (Custom Feature)
Track profile visitors.
Free members should see only their last three visitors.
Premium members should have unlimited visitor history.
---
# Friend System
Users should be able to:
* Send friend requests
* Accept requests
* Reject requests
* Remove friends
---
# Mutual Private Photo Sharing (Custom Feature)
Private albums should not work in the traditional way.
If one user requests access to another user's private album, both users must agree before either person's private albums become visible.
If either user removes permission, both albums should immediately become private again.
---
# Video Profiles
Users should be able to upload profile videos.
Each video should support:
* Private
* Friends Only
* Public
Free Members:
* Can upload videos.
* Cannot view public videos.
* Can only view videos shared with them by friends.
Premium Members:
* Can view all public videos.
* Can view friends' videos.
* Unlimited viewing.
---
# Privacy Controls
Members should be able to control:
* Online Status
* Last Seen
* Distance Visibility
* Profile Visibility
Distance options should include:
* Exact
* Approximate
* Hidden
---
# Incognito Mode (Premium)
Premium members should be able to:
* Browse anonymously.
* Hide online status.
* Hide last seen.
* Hide distance.
* Avoid appearing in visitor history.
---
# Search & Discovery
Basic Filters:
* Age
* Distance
* Online Status
Premium Filters:
* Interests
* Relationship Goals
* Verified Members
* Recently Active
---
# Live Member Map
The Live Member Map should be available to **all members** from launch.
Features required:
* Display nearby members on a live map.
* Adjustable search radius.
* Real-time updates.
* OpenStreetMap preferred.
* Users can choose whether to display their exact location, an approximate location, or hide their location entirely.
* Users can disable their visibility on the map if they choose.
Please recommend the most efficient and scalable implementation.
---
# Travel Mode
Travel Mode should be available to Premium members.
Users should be able to:
* Select another city.
* Browse members before travelling.
* Appear within the selected location.
---
# Push Notifications
Push notifications should include:
* Messages
* Winks
* Profile Views
* Friend Requests
* Verification Approval
* Subscription Renewals
* Premium Upgrade Notifications
These should function across:
* Website
* Progressive Web App (PWA)
* Android
* iPhone
---
# Payments
Stripe integration.
Membership options:
* Monthly Subscription
* Annual Subscription
Recurring billing required.
---
# Safety & Moderation
Please include:
* User reporting
* User blocking
* Mute functionality
* Admin moderation dashboard
* Suspend users
* Ban users
* Photo moderation
* Video moderation
* Spam protection
* Fake profile detection
* GDPR compliance
---
# Admin Dashboard
Administrator functionality should include:
* User management
* Subscription management
* Verification approval
* Content moderation
* User reports
* Analytics
* Moderation logs
---
# Design Requirements
The platform should have a premium, modern appearance with a mobile-first design.
Requirements include:
* Dark mode
* Fast loading
* Premium user experience
* Clean, intuitive interface
* Optimised for mobile devices
---
# Performance & Scalability
The platform should:
* Support significant user growth.
* Be secure.
* Be GDPR compliant.
* Be optimised for speed.
* Be easy to maintain.
* Allow future functionality to be added with minimal redevelopment.
The platform should also be architected so that future versions aimed at different audiences (for example, women) can be created using the same core codebase, functionality and database structure while supporting separate branding, configuration and user communities.
---
# Deliverables
Please include:
* Complete responsive website
* Progressive Web App (PWA)
* Theme and plugin configuration
* Custom plugin development where required
* Testing before launch
* Technical documentation
* Deployment assistance
* Hosting recommendations
* Ongoing support options
Please also provide an **optional separate quotation** for native iOS and Android applications, either as part of this project or as a future phase.
---