Award-winning mobile app development MagicBooking
Cloud-based mobile solution helping parents with registration, booking, and paying online.
About MagicBooking
MagicBooking is a UK-based school and club management platform that connects schools and institutions with parents looking for after-school activities for their children - from football training to dance classes. With over 100K users already engaging via its web platform, MagicBooking aimed to make its service even more accessible by launching a mobile app.
Challenge
MagicBooking is an established platform that streamlines childcare bookings for parents. With a strong web presence already in place, the company set out to expand its reach through a dedicated mobile app.
Solution
Altamira, working in close cooperation with the Client's team, has delivered a mobile solution where all child-related information is easily accessible, ensuring both convenience and peace of mind for parents and guardians.
Results
Gold Winner in Mobile App category by Indigo Awards.
Project completed at 94% of planned budget.
Key results
- Project completed at 94% of planned budget
- Best Mobile App award
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01
The Challenge
The idea was simple: make it easier for parents to manage their children’s activities on the go with the help of a smartphone, as the company has already have an impressive web presence.
From the onset, our Client provided a preliminary document outlining the core idea. However, once we started digging in, it became clear that there were gaps. We had to re-estimate the work, shape up functional and non-functional requirements, guide and consult the Client through some key technical decisions. Eventually, we provided not just development muscle, but also business analysis, consultation, and ongoing feedback sessions.
So, we started with a discovery study from the onset to gather, structure, and prioritise the Client’s functional and non-functional requirements based on their business goals. Given the ambitious deadline for the MVP, we completed extensive research. We explored ready-made solutions that could be adapted to meet the core needs of the platform, ensuring we could deliver within the set timeframe.
As the project moved forward, we worked closely with The Hood’s stakeholders to refine features, integrate third-party solutions like HumHub, and ensure smooth project progress. Along the way, we resolved technical challenges such as optimising data loads for real-time interactions, ensuring high availability for a global user base, and building a flexible moderation system to maintain a positive and professional community environment.
Complicating things further, we had to consistently sync with the Client’s backend team and adapt to new constraints on the fly. It didn’t block the project, but it did require extra coordination and flexibility from our side.
Despite these bumps, we delivered on time and within the target budget, with a team of two full-time React Native developers, a full-time manual QA, and part-time support from a business analyst and project manager.
02
The Solution
As our goal was to create custom mobile experience that truly works and simplifies how parents book and manage their children’s activities, we focused on making the user experience intuitive, fast, and reliable. Our team pitched for both the app development and the design, and were chosen to build the iOS and Android apps using React Native.
Built with a focus on usability, the platform is easy to use and simple to get around. You can book and manage activities, keep an eye on your child’s dietary, medical, and learning needs, and stay up to date with payments—all in one place. Real-time availability and personalised child profiles remove the stress out of scheduling.
Key features
- Child profile management: We built structured, customisable profiles for each child, including dietary needs, allergies, medical information, education requirements, and parental consents.
- Activity booking system: Users can search, filter, and book available activities. Real-time status indicators show availability and payment status, making the process clear and responsive.
- Payment tracking: Parents can track invoices, check payment history, and view the status of upcoming or missed payments—all within a few taps.
- Push notifications and alerts: We implemented personalized alerts for booking confirmations, schedule changes, and payment reminders to help users stay up to date without having to log in.
- Streamlined user interface: Everything was designed to minimize complexity and make the headaches go away. We built around user behaviour, creating a UX that’s fast and predictable for busy parents.
Design
The design feels calm and welcoming, with soft colours and friendly illustrations that make the experience feel approachable. Everything’s easy to read, buttons are right where you need them, and navigation is simple and clear, so you can find what you’re looking for without digging around.
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03
The Result
Each feature was carefully tied to a business objective:
- The new onboarding flow aims to reduce friction for schools and centres by ensuring that information is pre-filled and consistently structured.
- The simplified sign-up process is designed to improve conversion by making it easier and clearer for users to register for activities.
- Notifications are expected to reduce drop-offs and late payments by improving communication between parents and providers.
- The mobile app is built to expand MagicBooking’s reach by aligning with mobile-first user behaviour and offering convenience that complements the existing web experience.
Beyond the features themselves, the app allowed MagicBooking to strengthen its brand and user loyalty by offering a seamless experience across platforms.
We’re incredibly proud of this recognition and grateful for your partnership in helping us bring a seamless, user-first experience to life. Here’s to transforming EdTech together — and to many more milestones ahead!
