How We Helped a Local Retailer Go Digital in 30 Days

In early 2025, we received a call from a family-owned clothing store in Harare. They'd been in business for over 20 years, but the pandemic and changing shopping habits had hit them hard. Their customers were moving online, and they knew they needed to adapt - but they didn't know where to start.

The Challenge

The store owners, a husband and wife team, had never used a computer beyond basic email. They were worried about:

• The cost of going digital
• Learning new systems
• Losing their personal touch with customers
• Whether it would actually bring in more sales

Our Approach

We started with a simple conversation. Instead of pushing a complex solution, we listened to their actual needs:

• They wanted to showcase their inventory online
• They needed a way to take orders
• They wanted to maintain their personal customer relationships
• They needed something they could manage themselves

The Solution

We built them a simple, mobile-friendly e-commerce site in just 30 days. Here's what we included:

1. Easy Product Management: A simple dashboard where they could upload photos and descriptions

2. WhatsApp Integration: Orders came directly to their WhatsApp, maintaining that personal touch

3. Mobile-First Design: Most of their customers shop on phones, so we made sure it worked perfectly on mobile

4. Payment Options: They could accept mobile money, bank transfers, or cash on delivery

The Results

Within the first month:

• 40% increase in inquiries
• 25% of sales came through the new online platform
• They could showcase their full inventory, not just what fit in the store
• Customers could browse anytime, even after hours

What We Learned

The biggest lesson? Sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. They didn't need a complex system with all the bells and whistles - they needed something that worked for their specific situation.

If you're a local business thinking about going digital, remember: you don't need to understand all the tech. You just need someone who understands your business.