ToolSwap

Technologies Used

- PHP
- Laravel
- Vue.js
- TypeScript
- ESLint
- Vitest

ToolSwap is a specialized online marketplace where professionals and DIY enthusiasts can buy and sell new and used tools. The platform brings together listings from trusted brands such as Snap-On, Matco, Mac Tools, DeWalt, and Milwaukee while giving sellers an easy way to turn unused equipment into cash.

A Complete Application Rewrite

We completely rewrote ToolSwap's legacy Next.js application using PHP, Laravel, Vue.js, and TypeScript. The new architecture provides a more reliable and maintainable foundation for the marketplace while preserving all of the functionality its customers depend on.

ESLint helps keep the frontend code consistent, while Vitest provides fast automated testing for important application behaviour. Together, these tools make it safer and easier to develop, test, and release new features.

Preserving Customer Data

Replacing the application's foundation required moving its existing data into a new architecture without losing customer information. We carefully migrated the original data while maintaining the relationships between customers, sellers, listings, and the rest of the marketplace.

This allowed ToolSwap to move to the new platform without asking customers to recreate their accounts or rebuild their listings. Users could continue using the marketplace with their existing information intact.

Better Search Engine Optimization

We designed the new application to provide search engines with more useful information about its pages. Dynamic meta titles, descriptions, and other page-specific metadata help product listings, categories, and brand pages communicate their content more clearly.

These improvements give ToolSwap a stronger foundation for organic search and make it easier for buyers to discover relevant tools through search engines.

Performance and Reliability

We reviewed how the legacy application's data was structured and delivered, then introduced targeted optimizations to reduce the amount of work required to build each page. These improvements allow catalog and product data to load extremely quickly, even as the marketplace continues to grow.

Combined with the new Laravel and Vue.js architecture, the performance work makes the site faster and more dependable for both buyers and sellers. Pages respond quickly, navigation feels immediate, and the application has a more reliable foundation for future development.