How Goldpass Built a Scalable Local Deals and Membership App
Discover how PerksPass built a mobile marketplace connecting users with local business deals. Learn how free discounts and premium memberships drive growth.
The Challenge
PerksPass was originally launched as a free platform that gave users access to discounts at local businesses across Idaho and Utah. The concept quickly gained traction, helping consumers discover new restaurants, entertainment venues, and services while saving money.
As adoption grew, the team saw an opportunity to expand the model by introducing a premium pass with significantly higher-value deals. The challenge was evolving the product into a platform that could support both a free discount program and a paid membership, while keeping the experience simple for users and valuable for local businesses.
At the same time, the platform needed to maintain strong relationships with local vendors. Businesses needed a way to reach new customers and generate repeat visits without relying on complex loyalty programs or expensive advertising channels.
The Solution
Flywheel partnered with the team to build a mobile platform that combines PerksPass and GoldPass into one unified experience.
PerksPass remains a free option that provides unlimited-use discounts, typically 10–25% off, at hundreds of local businesses. Users can repeatedly redeem these deals, making it easy to save money while discovering new places.
Building on this success, GoldPass was introduced as a premium annual membership that unlocks significantly higher-value deals. For a one-time annual fee, users gain access to offers such as free food, buy-one-get-one deals, and 50% discounts across restaurants, entertainment venues, and services like haircuts, massages, and oil changes.
The app makes it simple to browse deals by category, discover participating businesses nearby, redeem offers directly within the app, and track which GoldPass deals have already been used during the year.
Marketplace App Development
Designing and building two-sided mobile platforms that connect consumers with local businesses and enable scalable transaction ecosystems.
Subscription & Membership Product Architecture
Implementing hybrid free + premium models that drive engagement, retention, and recurring revenue growth.
Local Commerce Growth Platforms
Creating digital tools that help physical businesses increase visibility, generate foot traffic, and convert first-time visitors into repeat customers.
The Results
Beyond delivering savings to users, the platform provides significant value to local businesses. Restaurants, service providers, and entertainment venues use the app as a powerful customer acquisition channel.
By featuring deals on PerksPass and GoldPass, businesses gain exposure to thousands of potential customers actively looking for places to visit. Many vendors report that the platform consistently drives new leads and first-time customers who often return even after redeeming their initial discount.
This approach helps businesses increase foot traffic, build brand awareness, and convert new visitors into long-term customers, without relying on complicated loyalty programs or traditional advertising.
The Result
Today, the platform serves 25,000+ users across Idaho and Utah, offering thousands of dollars in local deals across restaurants, services, and entertainment venues.
By combining a free discount pass with a premium membership model, the app creates value for both sides of the marketplace. Users benefit from significant savings and the ability to discover new local spots, while businesses gain a steady flow of new customers and increased visibility in their communities.
The result is a thriving ecosystem where local businesses grow, users save money, and the platform continues to expand its network of vendors and deals.
Flywheel Studio partners with startups and growth-stage companies to design and build scalable mobile marketplaces, membership platforms, and customer engagement apps. If you’re exploring how to digitize local commerce or launch a subscription-driven product, our team can help you move from concept to market faster.