Bagisto
About the Company
Bagisto was developed by Webkul, a company with extensive experience in e-commerce and SaaS technologies. As an open-source project, Bagisto leverages the Laravel framework to offer a highly customizable e-commerce solution that caters to various needs, from small businesses to large enterprises. With a focus on community contributions and continuous improvement, Bagisto has established itself as a significant player in the open-source e-commerce space.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for Bagisto emerged from recognizing a gap in the e-commerce solutions market. While major platforms like Magento and WooCommerce existed, there was a need for a system that could be easily adapted by developers familiar with the Laravel framework. The goal was to create a versatile e-commerce platform that incorporates modern technologies such as headless architecture and progressive web apps, especially relevant in regions with unreliable internet connectivity.
Creating the Company
Bagisto's initial version, launched in October 2018, focused on basic e-commerce features. The choice of Laravel as the technology stack was driven by its robust community support and ease of use. Despite facing skepticism about the scalability of an Indian open-source project, Bagisto gradually gained traction through community support and continuous updates. The project’s initial success was bolstered by content marketing and listings on platforms like Product Hunt and Betapage.
Launching the Business
The launch strategy involved releasing Bagisto as an open-source project to build initial traction. Promotional efforts included content marketing, video tutorials, and community engagement. The project’s visibility increased significantly after being featured on Laravel news, leading to higher website traffic and user engagement. Monetization began with paid modules and customization services, which helped generate revenue while maintaining the open-source ethos.
Earnings
Bagisto has achieved over $1M in revenue since its launch, with $350K ARR in the past two years. The platform has garnered significant community support, reflected in its 5,000+ GitHub stars and 70,000+ downloads. Future plans include integrating advanced technologies like Web3 and AI/ML, optimizing system performance, and expanding global outreach. Bagisto’s success highlights the potential of open-source projects to achieve substantial financial and community-driven milestones.
