The problem HALP (sendhalp.xyz) solves

HALP is transforming crypto crowdfunding with a no-code, transparent platform for all. In 2023, individuals donated $319.04 billion to non-profit causes, yet there is no easy-to-use, transparent crypto crowdfunding platform for immediate needs like medical bills or crisis funds. Despite over $2 billion in crypto donations since 2018, 56% of these funds go to the largest U.S. charities with the resources to navigate technical complexities, leaving smaller entities and individuals at a significant disadvantage.

HALP solves this with an intuitive visual builder that allows users to create and host wallets.json files, ensuring fast, transparent, and verifiable donations. By integrating with Endaoment, HALP simplifies tax regulations, reducing the burden for non-profits. With HALP's Giving Frames and Giving Embeds, individuals can share their stories with custom visual storyboards and start receiving donations in their wallets right away. Real-time progress tracking and integration with tipping communities on platforms like Farcaster diversify donation revenue and engage a new demographic of donors, making social giving effortless, secure, and transparent. HALP empowers individuals and non-profits to achieve great things through social funding and donations, making the crypto giving landscape more equitable and fair.

Challenges I ran into

When developing HALP, our primary goal was to make the platform as no-code as possible to empower all users. This objective brought several challenges and required different approaches to achieve the best solution.

User Interface Customization

• Initial Approach: We initially provided users with full control over colors and fonts.
• Challenge: This flexibility led to confusion and complexity.
• Solution: We streamlined the process by offering 10 predefined themes, which reduced campaign creation time to 5-10 minutes.

Multiple Currency Acceptance

• Initial Approach: We aimed to accept multiple currencies (USDC and ETH) through our frames.
• Challenge: The two currencies clashed within the interface.
• Solution: I redesigned the UI to incorporate two separate buttons for each currency, simplifying the user experience without additional clutter.

Farcaster Cast Verification

• Challenge: Confirming that the author of a Farcaster cast had matching connected wallets in their wallets.json file was intermittently unreliable.
• Solution: After identifying an issue with Hubs, we implemented a notification system to inform users when tip confirmations were temporarily unavailable, enhancing user trust and the overall UX.

Embed Script Complexity

• Initial Approach: I used Next.js to maintain consistency across the platform.
• Challenge: The complexity of Next.js proved excessive for an embed script.
• Solution: I refactored the code, stripping unnecessary elements and focusing on API calls, resulting in a smoother experience centered on storytelling and donations.

These challenges helped us refine HALP, ensuring it remains user-friendly, reliable, and effective for transparent, on-chain giving.