WideBundle
About the Company
WideBundle is a Shopify app designed to help merchants increase their sales by allowing them to create product bundles and offers directly within their Shopify stores. Launched in May 2020, the app has grown steadily and now brings in over $40,000 per month. Mat De Sousa, the founder, created WideBundle after several unsuccessful attempts at developing other Shopify apps. His primary motivation was to create a tool that would solve a real problem for Shopify merchants, enabling them to enhance their store's functionality without needing extensive technical skills.
Idea Behind Company
Mat's inspiration for WideBundle stemmed from his earlier experiences with developing Shopify apps that ultimately failed. Despite these setbacks, he remained committed to the platform and continued learning from the Shopify community. By actively participating in Shopify Facebook groups and communities, Mat identified a gap in the market—merchants were looking for a specific type of bundled offer app that didn't yet exist. Recognizing this need, he created a mockup of WideBundle and validated the idea through community feedback, which ultimately led to the development of the app.
Creating the Company
With a background in coding and design, Mat began working on WideBundle during the final year of his engineering studies. He built the first version of the app using HTML, CSS, and Javascript, focusing on creating a simple but functional product. Mat initially tested the app with a small group of users from the Shopify community, refining it based on their feedback. His approach emphasized the importance of launching quickly, iterating based on real user data, and continually improving the product to meet customer needs.
Launching the Business
WideBundle's launch was gradual and organic, with Mat adding users as he developed the app. The initial traction came from Shopify Facebook groups, and as the app gained popularity, Mat expanded his marketing efforts to include influencers and partnerships. By offering commissions to influencers for referring new users, he was able to rapidly grow the user base. The app also gained visibility through the Shopify App Store, despite the rigorous submission process. Continuous user feedback and data analysis helped Mat address bugs and improve the app, contributing to its success.
Earnings
Since its launch, WideBundle has been profitable, earning $40,000 per month with a team of five employees. Mat focuses on reducing churn and increasing the average revenue per user (ARPU) to accelerate growth. The app averages 60 new installs per day, with a 25% churn rate and a $16 monthly subscription fee. Looking ahead, Mat aims to develop multiple Shopify apps and achieve over $3 million in annual revenue within the next five years. His experience underscores the value of focus, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement in building a successful SaaS business.
