Our E-Commerce Dropshipping App is Closing in on $1M/Year [Update]
This is a follow up story for Importify . If you're interested in reading how they got started, published almost 3 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
Hi again, I'm Moshe Lugasi, the guy behind Importify,a leading e-commerce solution built specifically for dropshippers. As I shared when I was first interviewed for Starter Story, I launched Importify to make dropshipping easier for online business owners. By integrating with sites like Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce, Importify has become a game-changer, letting users quickly find and import products to sell from marketplaces like AliExpress, Alibaba, Amazon, Etsy, and more.
Importify isn't just our main product - it's the core of our business. We built it to work for all kinds of e-commerce sellers, from folks launching their first online store to big brands looking to boost efficiency.
Our commitment to continuous innovation and serving dropshippers' needs has taken Importify to new heights. Today, we bring in $75,000 per month in revenue. It's extremely rewarding to see Importify simplify the path for entrepreneurs, support their growth, and contribute to their success.
Being at the helm of a fast-scaling startup has had its demanding moments. Navigating rapid growth while facing new challenges has tested my resilience. There have been periods of uncertainty and mental fatigue. However, the experience has pushed me to become more adaptable and has only strengthened my enthusiasm for what we are building.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
So much has happened with Importify since we last spoke!
Importify has seen significant growth and progress across all fronts.
Our key metrics have improved - monthly revenue is now at $75,000, up from $60,000. This shows we're attracting more dropshippers who find value in our tools and services.
Our customer base continues to diversify as well. Online sellers of all sizes and stages now use Importify to simplify their operations.
To support this expansion, we've invested in more talent for customer service, marketing, and product teams. This lets us maintain reliability and keep improving.
We've launched several new apps based on our users' needs:
Editorify: Helps build social proof by adding/importing product reviews.
Zonify: Dropship Amazon products or earn Amazon affiliate commissions.
Expressfy: Dropship Aliexpress products or earn affiliate commissions.
Popify: Offers popup notifications to engage visitors.
Appsell: Focuses on cross-selling and upselling.
Dropi: Find Endless Trending Products For Your Ecommerce Business
BetterText: Your AI writing toolbox.
On the marketing side, we strengthened our presence across social, increased organic traffic through blogging, and introduced an affiliate program, which significantly boosted user acquisition through word-of-mouth referrals.
Customer satisfaction stays paramount through regular app upgrades, robust support, and new features. For PR, we focused on announcing new supplier partnerships and app integrations.
We continually test promising marketing tactics - SEO, email marketing, emerging platforms, etc. while continuing effective traditional channels.
In summary, Importify keeps evolving to empower our users, prioritize their needs, and support their entrepreneurial growth through dedication and innovation. Exciting progress, but more work ahead!
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
This past year has been a wild ride for Importify! As the dropshipping arena grows more crowded and fast-paced, we've faced some steep challenges that pushed us out of our comfort zone.
With more players jumping into the space, such as DSers with its strong focus on AliExpress integration, we at Importify are constantly hustling to upgrade our apps and roll out innovative features to keep us ahead.
In response to the competition, we've expanded our supplier network beyond AliExpress, offering our users access to a broader range of products and markets. This strategic expansion has been instrumental in setting Importify apart as a more versatile and comprehensive tool for dropshipping.
At the same time, it's nonstop work to not only launch new tools but also to stay updated with platform changes.
A prime example is our response to Shopify's latest API updates. We quickly adapted Importify to align with these updates, overhauling our backend integration to ensure seamless product import and order management for our users.
This adaptability is a critical part of our strategy, ensuring we provide a reliable and efficient service regardless of external changes.
We've grappled with fluctuations on the advertising side too. Costs have risen across the board, while strategies that succeeded for us previously have waned. So we nerded out on analytics to retool our marketing approaches accordingly through trial and error. Gotta stay light on our feet!
Supporting expansion also meant getting strategic with outsourcing. Finding and managing reliable partners aligned with our standards had a learning curve. But it allows us to focus on our core business.
And we're hyper-focused on customer satisfaction - going the extra mile to make users happy and motivate them to share reviews and feedback. This attention pays off in building trust and reputation.
Being at the helm of a fast-scaling startup has had its demanding moments. Navigating rapid growth while facing new challenges has tested my resilience. There have been periods of uncertainty and mental fatigue. However, the experience has pushed me to become more adaptable and has only strengthened my enthusiasm for what we are building.
Overall, this past year proved to be a transformative journey, revealing the dedication and adaptability of our Importify team. We look forward to continuing to evolve and provide innovative solutions in this dynamic market.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
This past year has been huge for lessons learned at Importify. From figuring out business management intricacies to understanding what truly matters to customers, every challenge unlocked new insights.
One big realization - our people are everything. With tech and automation ruling nowadays, it’s easy to forget the irreplaceable human element. But we’ve seen first-hand how crucial our team and customer connections are. So we’ve doubled down on caring for employees’ well-being and development. We also prioritize building genuine relationships with customers, not just selling to transactions. That personal touch goes so far.
We also directly linked boosting customer support to growth. Beyond just increasing satisfaction, our focus on feedback positively impacted the bottom line. It validated our belief that success comes not from products alone, but from how you engage users. Listening and responding to needs isn’t just good practice - it’s essential for improvement.
I wish we had seized more opportunities last year. Important lesson that caution can limit potential at times. Moving ahead, we aim to take more calculated risks that align with our vision and values.
For example: last year, some cool AI startups came to us with ideas like using predictive analytics to understand customer behavior and personalizing shopping experiences with AI. We were a bit unsure about jumping into all this new AI stuff, thinking it was too complex to implement. But as we saw AI start to take off in e-commerce, it hit us – we missed a big chance. Getting on board with AI early could have put us ahead, giving our users some amazing features to grow their businesses.
On a personal note, the feedback I received challenged me to keep honing leadership skills like adaptability and open-mindedness. The ability to implement changes based on user and employee input has become invaluable.
Going back to the AI ideas above, part of our team was actually in favor of adding those AI features. This whole situation made me see how important it is to be flexible and open as a leader. It's been a big lesson in the value of not only listening to feedback from our users but also paying close attention to the insights and suggestions of our team.
If I had to summarize, this year revealed the immense power of human connections, customer-centricity, and embracing opportunities. These insights shape not only our business but also my leadership style and Importify’s culture. Exciting times ahead as we apply these lessons to empower sustainable innovation!
Growing a business takes grit and flexibility guided by what customers want. Keep your focus on solving real problems that users face with outstanding service. This customer loyalty powers sustainable growth.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
The future looks bright with Importify charging ahead into AI integration! AI is transforming business, and we’re pumped to be pioneers in bringing its potential into the e-commerce space.
The doors this opens up - not just for improving our tools, but for revolutionizing the industry - are super exciting.
Our 5-year vision is to expand globally to empower many more entrepreneurs worldwide.
Long term, we aim to diversify our offerings through synergistic acquisitions.
Short term, we will strengthen infrastructure for reliability, scale up capabilities, and integrate advanced technologies.
The core pillars are global reach, complementary solutions, and advancing our platform.
We will broaden our footprint while enabling entrepreneurship through platform excellence and customer-centric values.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
One podcast that I just can't get enough of lately is "Pivot" with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway. It delivers this awesome mix of humor, no-B.S. analysis, and visionary outlooks on everything going on in business, tech, and politics. Each episode helps me tune out the noise and get super insightful perspectives on navigating this nonstop digital revolution we’re living through.
What makes "Pivot" particularly valuable for me and my business at Importify is its ability to cut through the noise and provide clear, insightful perspectives on the rapidly evolving digital world. The discussions on the podcast often touch upon the intersection of technology and commerce, offering relevant takeaways that I can apply to my business strategies.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
Fellow entrepreneurs - growing a business takes grit and flexibility guided by what customers want.
Keep your focus on solving real problems that users face with outstanding service. This customer loyalty powers sustainable growth.
Keep strategies agile to use new technologies and marketing channels. And let data, not guesses, drive your decisions.
Push through uneven growth periods. Setbacks hold lessons for building something stronger.
The keys are: Understanding customers, adaptability, data-based decisions, and determination. With the right mindset and game plan, you can conquer nearly any growth obstacle!
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
Yes, Importify is currently expanding its team and we are actively seeking talented individuals to join us. We have openings for both Frontend and Backend Developers. These positions are critical in driving the innovation and efficiency of our e-commerce solutions.
Frontend Developer: We're looking for a creative and skilled Frontend Developer to enhance the user interface of our applications. The ideal candidate should have expertise in modern JavaScript frameworks, HTML, CSS, and a passion for creating intuitive, responsive web designs. This role involves
working closely with our design team to bring new features to life and ensure a seamless user experience across our platforms.
Backend Developer: Our team is also seeking a Backend Developer with strong experience in server-side logic, database management, and API integration. The ideal candidate should be proficient in languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby, and have a solid understanding of database technologies such as MySQL or MongoDB. This role will involve developing and maintaining the core functional logic and operations of our applications.
Both positions are paid and full-time, offering the opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Interested candidates can apply by sending their resumes and a brief cover letter to [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming new talents to our team and together driving the future of e-commerce.
Where can we go to learn more?
If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!
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