With the economic disruptions caused by the global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, one thing for sure is that it has accelerated the digital migration. What does that mean for businesses? They either have to adapt and go online or face extinction and go home. In Uganda, there has been an increase in the number of E commerce platforms launched since the country enforced a strict lock-down in March, to curb the spread of the novel Corona virus and their services have been widely embraced. Even though President Museveni announced on Monday, May 18, plans to partially uplift the lock-down,there’s certainly no going back to analog, digital is the new normal!
In this article, Susan Tusime, founder of Paple Rayn Store, one of Uganda’s first online stores shares tips on how businesses can move online smoothly and ensure growth and success.
A serial entrepreneur, Susan Tusime started her entrepreneurship journey way before joining university, baking cakes and making sandwiches, selling jewelry, agricultural products, before discovering her knack for fashion entrepreneurship and launching Paple Rayn in 2013.
“Paple Rayn originated from a desire I had to create a brand which offered style and quality to anybody at affordable prices and in a timely manner.”
After a year of testing the idea using Facebook only, Tusime discovered the demand for her products was real and went ahead to create a website that hosted an array of products from the best suppliers she could find.
“Over the years, the need for specific, customized apparel came into play because clients were growing tired of the same saturated products. I listened and Paple Rayn Hub (www.PapleRaynHub.com) was born. I call this “the home” of the Paple Rayn brand where all creativity operates at its peak.”
Here are some of the most important strategies businesses can consider.
- A marketable platform to which you drive all traffic
This can be a website, Facebook page, twitter or Instagram. The best avenue to market your product and guarantee visibility from actual potential buyers will ultimately depend on the type of product you’re selling. - Study the platform
Knowledge on how your chosen platform works putting into consideration algorithms and schedules when your posts will get the most views. - Mode of payment most suitable for your clients
Is the business a domestic one or do you plan to ship internationally? Each of these businesses have easy payment platforms that are client friendly. - Hire the right people
Choosing a team is all about quality and not quantity. A high quality team will ensure customer satisfaction if they are bound to the values and vision of the business. - Spend money wisely
The basic principal of an e-commerce platform is to reach millions of people offering your product at the best possible price by minimizing your operational costs. Keep that in mind at all times while drafting marketing strategies. I find that relying on social capital works best because everybody has this resource around them. - Grow your clientele-network
Many times, the best strategies don’t depend on how much money you have but your ability to convince people your product/service is something they didn’t know they needed.
