This dropshipping store specializes in the niche of self-care and home utilities, catering to an audience interested in these specific categories. The primary emphasis was on offering trendy and quirky products within these niches.
Betterlifecompany, an online dropshipping store, was a venture I initiated while pursuing my bachelor’s degree. My passion for entrepreneurship and the excitement of building something from the ground up led me to start this store during the pandemic. Through self-learning in areas such as copywriting, no-code website development, market research, and targeted advertising, I was able to launch Betterlifecompany.
01
Store Overview
Built on the Shopify platform using the Debutify 2.0 theme, the store was aptly named to reflect my mission: to simplify and enhance people’s lives through innovative products. The store offered a range of product categories, including:
Better Grooming: Men’s and women’s grooming products like hair curlers and 4-in-1 beard trimmers.
Better Home: Decorative items like fancy lamps and bobbleheads.
Better Health: Wellness products like acupressure yoga mats and back stretchers.
Some of our best-selling items included trendy products like 5-in-1 selfie sticks, bubble guns, and 4-in-1 charging cables. These products were selected based on keyword research and competitor analysis, targeting the interests of Gen Z and Millennial customers.
02
Problem Statement
Our generation is increasingly inclined to invest in products that improve their lives and offer convenience. Betterlifecompany aimed to meet this demand by providing unique, trendy, and functional products that resonated with Gen Z and Millennials.
03
Solution
Betterlifecompany was created to bridge this gap, offering a platform where customers could find:
Rare and trendy products that are otherwise difficult to find on mainstream eCommerce platforms.
Tailored product offerings that resonate with a young, trend-focused audience, backed by data-driven market research.
Flexible payment options, including COD, to cater to the Indian market’s specific buying behaviors.
04
Key Achievements & Metrics
Attracted over 10,000 visitors to the website.
Invested over ₹2 lakhs in targeted Google and Facebook ads.
Sold 250+ units of three best-selling products.
Generated over ₹4 lakhs in revenue from the online store, with an additional ₹6 lakhs from wholesale channels.
Managed all aspects of the business single-handedly, including product listings, shipments, customer relationship management, store maintenance, ad campaigns, and vendor management.
Challenges Faced
Centralization: Operating alone led to difficulties in expansion, highlighting the need for better delegation of tasks.
Technical Difficulties: Occasional bugs in the eCommerce platform resulted in lost customers.
Long Delivery Times: Extended delivery periods sometimes deterred customers.
Competitor Pressure: The eCommerce space is highly competitive, with established brands dominating the market.
Lack of Direct Interaction: The absence of personal interaction with customers limited opportunities for relationship building and personalized service.
05
Closure & Reflection
I eventually decided to shut down Betterlifecompany due to high RTO (Return to Origin) rates, primarily caused by COD (Cash on Delivery) orders, which eroded profit margins. The lack of personal touch and innovation in the products offered also played a role in this decision. However, this experience reinforced the importance of a customer-centric approach and the value of personalized experiences in business.
10
Learnings
Real-World Experience:
Developed long-term relationships with suppliers, enhancing my confidence in negotiation and stakeholder management.
Gained a deep understanding of the industry, market dynamics, and customer mindsets, all critical for successful product management.
Importance of Market Research:
The experience underscored the necessity of thorough market research, customer validation, and competitor analysis before launching a product. These are key elements in developing a product that truly meets market needs.
Customer-Centric Approach:
I learned that owning the entire customer journey—from product discovery to post-purchase experience—can significantly differentiate a brand. In product management, this translates to creating solutions that not only solve problems but also resonate emotionally with users.
Challenges in the Indian Market:
Navigating the challenges of the Indian eCommerce landscape, particularly the reliance on COD, taught me the importance of trust-building and creating urgency. This insight is valuable in crafting strategies that address market-specific challenges in product management.
Brand Building:
I realized the importance of establishing a brand alongside driving sales. For a product manager, building a brand means ensuring that the product's identity, values, and messaging align with the target audience's expectations.
Niche Focus:
Starting with a focused niche helps in creating a strong brand identity and customer loyalty. As a product manager, this experience taught me to prioritize and focus on key features or segments before expanding the product’s scope.