Project Overview

PlentyOfFeet is a location-based image sharing platform designed to showcase user-submitted images pinned to cities across a global map. The objective was to build a fully functional MVP that seamlessly integrates with the existing website design while operating within strict technical, hosting, budget, and API usage constraints.

Client Expectations & Challenges

• Fixed budget and rapid 7-day delivery timeline
• Mandatory deployment on GoDaddy Economy shared hosting
• PHP + MySQL stack only (no Node.js backend)
• Preserve the existing site design and user flow
• Secure user authentication and image upload system
• Admin-controlled approval workflow for uploaded images
• City-based global map pins with image galleries
• Strict Google API usage rules to avoid recurring costs
• Production-ready MVP with security best practices

Why CnEL India Was the Right Choice

CnEL India stood out as the ideal development partner due to its ability to combine speed, technical precision, and cost-effective engineering. The team demonstrated a clear understanding of shared hosting limitations, API cost controls, and MVP-first product thinking.

Key Strengths Demonstrated

• Hosting-Aware Architecture: Built a lightweight PHP/Laravel solution optimized for GoDaddy shared hosting without compromising performance.
• Design Preservation: Maintained the exact look, feel, and user flow of the existing PlentyOfFeet website with zero redesign disruption.
• Smart API Cost Control: Implemented Google Places API usage strictly at upload time, caching city and GPS data permanently to prevent recurring API costs.
• Robust Admin Workflow: Delivered a clean admin panel with granular image approval/denial controls, including bulk actions.
• Scalable Image Handling: Enabled multi-image uploads, filesystem-based storage, pagination, and approval-based display logic.
• Security-First Development: Applied validation, sanitization, file type checks, and access controls as part of the core build.
• Fast & Reliable Delivery: Successfully delivered a working MVP within the agreed 7-day timeframe, fully deployed and tested.

Implemented MVP Features

• User registration, login, password recovery, and profile management
• Secure multi-image uploads for logged-in users only
• Admin approval queue with per-image and bulk actions
• City-based global map pins aggregating images across users
• Popup image galleries with pagination and approval-based ordering
• Username displayed only on individual image view (as specified)
• Placeholder non-core pages for Donate, FAQ, and Contact

Delivery & Handoff

The final MVP was deployed directly to the client’s GoDaddy hosting environment. CnEL India provided clear handoff documentation covering admin access, upload storage paths, and database structure, ensuring smooth future enhancements.

Client Review

“CnEL India delivered exactly what was promised — on time and without cutting corners. They respected every technical constraint, especially the shared hosting and Google API usage rules, which was critical for us. Communication was clear, the MVP works smoothly, and the admin workflow is exactly what we needed. I’d absolutely work with them again for future phases.”

— PlentyOfFeet Project Owner

Conclusion

This project highlights CnEL India’s ability to execute complex MVP builds under tight constraints while maintaining quality, performance, and scalability. Their practical engineering approach, cost-awareness, and commitment to client requirements make them a reliable technology partner for startups and growing platforms alike.