Smartbuy Kenya Limited
About the Company
Smartbuy Kenya Limited is an e-commerce platform focusing on electronic products, primarily laptops and printers. Founded by Mark Bii and Abdirizak, the company targets consumers and businesses mainly within Kenya. They aim to expand their customer base beyond Kenya, driven by increasing inquiries from potential international clients. The company prides itself on high-quality products and exceptional customer service, attributing its growth to a strong online presence and effective marketing strategies.
Idea Behind Company
The inception of Smartbuy Kenya began when Abdirizak, needing an e-commerce site for his employer, was introduced to Mark through a mutual friend. Mark, a marketing student, built the e-commerce site, and their collaboration quickly bore fruit. Seeing the potential in e-commerce, they decided to start their own business. The idea was to leverage their combined skills—Abdirizak's knowledge of electronics sales and Mark's marketing expertise—to create a platform offering laptops and printers to a broad audience.
Creating the Company
Starting Smartbuy Kenya involved significant planning and resource pooling. They rented a small office and invested in building a user-friendly online platform. Initially, they faced challenges, such as competition and high advertising costs. However, their commitment to learning and implementing SEO strategies gradually paid off. They partnered with a local authorized reseller to ensure product quality and began optimizing their product listings for better search engine visibility, despite initial slow progress.
Launching the Business
The business launch required dual efforts in branding their physical store and establishing a strong online presence. They focused on creating detailed product descriptions, soliciting customer reviews, and crafting a visually appealing website. Financing the startup through personal savings, they avoided high-value inventory purchases, instead relying on confirmed sales to procure items. Effective competitor research and adapting to customer needs, such as offering "Pay on Delivery," were crucial to their successful launch and steady growth.
Earnings
Smartbuy Kenya has grown to generate an average monthly revenue of $30,000. This success is attributed to their investment in SEO, reducing dependency on costly ads. Current expenses primarily cover marketing tools, social media advertising, and overheads like rent. The founders manage operations efficiently, handling customer service, inventory, and marketing themselves. Future plans include expanding product lines, enhancing online presence, and potentially exploring international markets to cater to broader customer needs. Their adaptability and focus on customer feedback continue to drive their success.
