FiveRivers Technologies was asked by a client to come up with an eCommerce solution that brings local Pakistani sellers to the competitive global market. FiveRivers Technologies envisioned an innovative solution. This vision led to the creation of PakistanCreates (PKC), a multi-vendor eCommerce platform designed to empower local vendors by providing them with a global stage to showcase and sell their products.
The Challenge
Local Pakistani sellers often struggled to reach international buyers due to limited resources, lack of digital presence, and the absence of a robust platform to support their needs. These challenges included:
1. Limited Market Reach: Sellers had minimal access to international markets, restricting their customer base.
2. Technical Barriers: Many sellers lacked the technical expertise to create and manage online stores effectively.
3. Payment Integration: Facilitating diverse payment methods to cater to both local and international buyers was a significant hurdle.
The Solution: PakistanCreates (PKC)
FiveRivers Technologies developed PakistanCreates, a comprehensive online marketplace aimed at addressing these challenges. PKC offers a range of features designed to support and promote local sellers:
Curated and Verified Sellers
To maintain high standards, PKC curates and verifies sellers by evaluating their portfolios and product quality. This process ensures that only reliable and high-quality products are listed on the platform, building trust with buyers.
User-Friendly Shop Creation
PKC simplifies the shop creation process for sellers. Once verified, sellers receive a unique link to their online store, making it easy for them to share and promote their products without worrying about additional costs.
Vendors can also add, edit, and remove products, continue or remove sales and discounts through an admin panel. Moreover, vendors can handle logistics and mark orders as “Complete,” “Shipped,” or “on Hold.”
Diverse Payment Methods
The platform allows vendors to set up multiple payment options, including Cash on Delivery (COD), online payments, EasyPaisa, and JazzCash. This flexibility allows sellers to cater to both local and international buyers, facilitating smoother transactions.
Multi-Vendor Cart Support
PKC provides multi-vendor cart support to its users. This means that with a single checkout, buyers can buy multiple products that are offered by different vendors. The platform will handle payment and order details by assigning them to the right vendors.
Global Reach with Local Support
PKC doesn’t only provide sellers with the opportunity to sell in the international markets but also supports local sales. This dual approach helps sellers expand their reach while maintaining a strong local presence.
Advanced Analytics and Dashboard
PKC provides vendors with a comprehensive dashboard where they can monitor and analyze key business metrics. The dashboard includes:
Sales and Earnings: Vendors can track their total sales and earnings over specific periods.
Pageviews and Orders: Insights into pageviews, total orders, completed orders, and pending orders.
Refunds: Detailed records of any refunds processed.
Monthly and Yearly Reports: Vendors can view and compare reports from previous months and years, enabling them to identify trends and make informed business decisions.
Average Daily Sales: Calculation of average daily sales to help vendors understand their sales performance.
Top Selling Products: Identification of best-selling products, aiding in inventory management.
Inventory Management: Sellers can also add or remove products from their shop from the dashboard.
Implementation and Results
The implementation of PakistanCreates involved several key steps:
1. Platform Development: FiveRivers Technologies leveraged its technical expertise to build a robust and scalable eCommerce platform capable of handling multiple vendors and high traffic.
2. Seller Onboarding: A structured onboarding process was established, where sellers were evaluated, verified, and assisted in setting up their online stores.
3. Training and Support: PKC provided ongoing training and technical support to sellers, helping them navigate the platform and optimize their stores for better performance.
Since its launch, PakistanCreates has successfully onboarded numerous local sellers, offering a diverse range of products to a global audience. The platform has not only increased the visibility of Pakistani artisans and businesses but also boosted their sales and revenue.
In fact, since its launch in 2021, PakistanCreates has onboarded over 100 verified vendors, and these vendors have made sales of over PKR 9 million in just under three years.
Features of PKC
PKC boosts a range of great features, such as:
Shop by Category
PKC offers several categories for visitors to choose from, ranging from clothing to skincare and even home decor. After visitors select the category, they wish to buy from, PKC shows them the best vendors to buy the items from.
Best Selling Items
Visitors can also see the bestselling items from various vendors and choose the ones they like and add to their carts.
Latest Products
PKC also showcases the latest products that vendors have listed on their shops.
Features Sellers
PKC also features a list of the best vendors who either have good reviews or have several bestselling items.
Conclusion
PakistanCreates stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of FiveRivers Technologies. By addressing the challenges faced by local Pakistani sellers, PKC has become a thriving online marketplace that bridges the gap between local talent and international buyers. The platform's success highlights the importance of technology and strategic planning in empowering small businesses and promoting economic growth. As PKC continues to evolve, it promises to further enhance the global presence of Pakistani products, driving a new era of eCommerce in the region.
