How Wave is revolutionizing rewards-based shopping
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600%
Higher conversion from social media traffic
82%
Increase in user retention
55%
Faster load times
TL;DR
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Wave, a rewards browser extension and app partnered with 11,000+ retailers, was held back by technical debt, no mobile experience, clunky authentication and slow load times.
We rebuilt the backend, launched a Safari extension and a mobile app in one month, moved authentication from AWS Cognito to Supabase, and optimized performance.
Conversion from social traffic rose 600%, retention 82% and mobile engagement 200%, with load times 55% faster.
Wave is a browser extension and mobile app that partners with over 11,000 online retailers, including Nike, Sephora, Macy's and Walmart. Instead of a traditional coupon finder, it offers a gamified experience: discounts apply automatically and every purchase earns tokens that enter prize giveaways.
We stepped in to make the platform fast, seamless and built for long-term growth, improving performance, expanding reach and boosting engagement.
The challenges
1. Technical debt
2. The mobile gap
3. Authentication frustrations
The original authentication on AWS Cognito proved difficult for seamless mobile integration.
4. Speed bottlenecks
As a media-rich platform, Wave faced slow loading, sluggish responsiveness and high bounce rates.
5. User retention
Converting one-time users into loyal customers needed stronger incentives and engagement mechanisms.
What we built
1. A more powerful, seamless extension
We optimized the Chrome extension to load quickly and work across thousands of shopping sites, launched a Safari extension to capture mobile-first users, and streamlined activation to a single click.
2. A mobile-first experience
We designed, built and launched a fully functional mobile app in one month, moved authentication from AWS Cognito to Supabase for faster sign-in, and connected the app and extension so users switch between them without losing progress or re-authenticating.•Authorize.net for secure and reliable payments,•ShipStation to streamline order fulfillment and internal workflows,•Avalara for automated tax calculation across eligible U.S. states and address validation.
3. Performance and engagement
Image optimization, caching and backend improvements cut load times, removing code bloat increased reliability, and refined data handling sped up responses. Daily reward streaks, a gamified shopping experience and a frictionless onboarding flow drive early engagement and retention.
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Conclusion
Wave now delivers 150+ daily active users growing 20% month over month, 600% higher conversion from social traffic, 200% more mobile engagement, 82% better retention and a 70% lower mobile CAC.
Next: expanded marketing, a refined mobile UX and advanced real-time analytics. Building a consumer product that has to scale? Get in touch.
600%
Higher conversion from social media traffic
82%
Increase in user retention
55%
Faster load times
Use case: points, browser extension, sales | Industry: e-commerce
Front end: React, Swift | Back end: Node.js, Supabase
Storage: AWS, PostgreSQL | Analytics: Amplitude
Extensions: Chrome and Safari, connected to the mobile app
FAQ
How do you rebuild a rewards browser extension for mobile users?
Launch a Safari extension, ship a mobile app, and connect the app and extension so users switch without losing progress or re-authenticating.
Why move authentication from AWS Cognito to Supabase?
Cognito proved difficult for seamless mobile integration. Supabase made login faster and simpler.
How fast was the mobile app built?
Designed, built and launched in one month.
What results did the rebuild produce?
600% higher conversion from social traffic, 82% higher retention, 200% more mobile engagement, 55% faster load times and 70% lower mobile CAC.
Node.js, Supabase,
AWS, PostgreSQL, Amplitude
Read more
You’re all set!
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