Jason Cochran
Hey there! Need somethin'?Send me a message →
BACK TO PROJECTS
Case Study

ClickToWA

Overview

ClickToWA is a SaaS platform for creating trackable WhatsApp click-to-chat links. It enables businesses to create one-click links that open WhatsApp conversations with pre-filled messages, while providing comprehensive analytics on who clicks, where they're from, and campaign performance.

Live at: clicktowa.com

Project Scale

  • Platform: Web application with API
  • Tech Stack: Next.js + TypeScript + PostgreSQL + Redis
  • Industry: Marketing & Communications
  • Architecture: Multi-tenant SaaS
  • Performance: Sub-100ms redirect latency

Problem Solved

Businesses struggle to connect web traffic with WhatsApp customer conversations:

  • No tracking: Standard WhatsApp links provide zero analytics
  • Poor UX: Users must save contacts before messaging
  • Random URLs: Ugly links that hurt brand perception
  • No insights: Can't measure campaign effectiveness
  • Bot traffic: Impossible to distinguish real engagement from bots

The Solution

ClickToWA bridges the gap between web marketing and WhatsApp engagement:

  • One-Click Chat: Links that open WhatsApp with pre-filled messages
  • Real-Time Analytics: Track clicks, locations, devices, and referrers
  • Custom Short Codes: Branded URLs like /summer-sale instead of random strings
  • QR Code Generation: Instant QR codes for print and digital materials
  • Bot Filtering: Identify genuine user engagement vs automated traffic

Core Features

Link Management

  • Create unlimited WhatsApp chat links
  • Custom short codes for memorable URLs
  • Pre-filled message templates
  • Link grouping and organization
  • Bulk link creation via API

Analytics Dashboard

  • Real-time tracking: See clicks as they happen
  • Geographic data: Country, city, region breakdowns
  • Device analytics: Mobile vs desktop, OS, browser
  • Referrer tracking: Know where traffic originates
  • Time-based analysis: Peak hours, daily trends

QR Code Generation

  • Instant QR codes for any link
  • Multiple format downloads (PNG, SVG)
  • Customizable size and colors
  • Perfect for print materials, packaging, signage

Bot Detection

  • Machine learning-based bot identification
  • Filter out automated traffic
  • Accurate engagement metrics
  • Genuine user statistics

Custom Domains (Pro)

  • Use your own domain for links
  • Full SSL certificate support
  • Branded link experience
  • Enterprise-grade reliability

API Access

  • RESTful API for integration
  • Create links programmatically
  • Retrieve analytics data
  • Webhook notifications

Technical Architecture

Performance Optimization

The platform achieves sub-100ms redirect performance through:

  • Edge computing: Redirects processed at edge locations
  • Redis caching: Hot links cached in memory
  • Optimized queries: Indexed lookups for instant resolution
  • CDN distribution: Global content delivery

Analytics Pipeline

Real-time analytics without impacting redirect speed:

  • Async processing: Click events queued for processing
  • Batch aggregation: Efficient database writes
  • Stream processing: Real-time dashboard updates
  • Data retention: Configurable history periods

Multi-Tenancy

Secure isolation between customers:

  • Tenant separation: Complete data isolation
  • Resource limits: Fair usage enforcement
  • Subscription tiers: Feature gating by plan

Pricing Model

Free Tier

  • 5 links
  • 1,000 monthly clicks
  • Basic analytics
  • Standard QR codes

Pro ($19/month)

  • 100 links
  • 100,000 monthly clicks
  • Advanced analytics
  • Custom domains
  • API access
  • Priority support

Technical Stack

Frontend

  • Next.js 14: App router with server components
  • TypeScript: Full type safety
  • Tailwind CSS: Responsive design
  • Shadcn UI: Component library
  • React Query: Data fetching and caching

Backend

  • Next.js API Routes: Serverless functions
  • PostgreSQL: Primary database
  • Redis: Caching and rate limiting
  • Vercel: Hosting and edge functions

Infrastructure

  • Vercel Edge Network: Global distribution
  • Vercel Analytics: Performance monitoring
  • Upstash Redis: Serverless Redis
  • Neon/Supabase: Serverless PostgreSQL

Key Metrics

  • Sub-100ms redirect latency globally
  • 99.9% uptime SLA
  • Real-time analytics updates
  • Instant QR code generation

Use Cases

E-Commerce

  • Product inquiry links on listings
  • Cart abandonment recovery
  • Customer support shortcuts
  • Order status inquiries

Marketing Campaigns

  • Social media bio links
  • Email campaign CTAs
  • Print advertisement QR codes
  • Event promotion tracking

Customer Support

  • Website chat alternatives
  • FAQ quick responses
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Feedback collection

Sales Teams

  • Personalized outreach links
  • Lead qualification tracking
  • Demo request handling
  • Follow-up automation

Development Highlights

Clean Architecture

  • Separation of concerns
  • Domain-driven design principles
  • Repository pattern for data access
  • Service layer abstraction

Testing Strategy

  • Unit tests for business logic
  • Integration tests for API endpoints
  • E2E tests for critical flows
  • Performance benchmarking

Security

  • Rate limiting per IP and user
  • Input validation and sanitization
  • SQL injection prevention
  • XSS protection

Technical Excellence

ClickToWA demonstrates proficiency in:

  • Modern Next.js Development: App router, server components, API routes
  • Real-Time Systems: Sub-100ms redirects with async analytics
  • SaaS Architecture: Multi-tenant design with subscription management
  • Performance Engineering: Edge computing, caching strategies
  • Analytics Engineering: Real-time data pipelines and aggregation
  • Product Development: User-focused features solving real problems

Status: Live in production Website: clicktowa.com Revenue Model: Freemium SaaS