CouponzGuru's Road to Success: Milestones, Challenges & Global Reach

Mint

2 days ago

The world of e-commerce is ever-evolving, where discounts and deals flood our screens daily. Not all the platforms manage to stand out in this ever-evolving world of e-commerce and leave a lasting impact. CouponzGuru, founded in 2011 by Mr. Vikash Khetan, is one such platform that began as a modest venture in India but managed to reach greater heights with just an initial investment of Rs. 25,000. Today, it operates in 6 different countries, which in itself is a great deal.
Today, we will take a closer look at the milestones, challenges, and the global footprint that explain the success story of the platform. Building trust in India- 2011
Back in 2011, the Indian e-commerce industry was rising slowly and was not that common among people. While the customers were excited about the whole online shopping concept, however, they were a little worried too. Scams and fake discounts were common concerns of people back then. However, Mr. Khetan understood that the trust of the customers would become his biggest currency.
The platform's initial strategy was simple yet effective, which managed to gain the trust of the customers. Listing verified offers on the company's website. Keep a user-friendly interface. Regularly updating deals and coupons.
CouponzGuru became a go-to platform for customers looking for genuine savings by simply following these strategies. After all, the trick was to understand consumer behavior. Also, by partnering with major platforms like Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, and more, CouponzGuru strengthened its position in the Indian market.
Once CouponzGuru established a good user base in the Indian market, it was time to understand the international markets as well. Mr. Khetan knew that the trick was to conquer one region at a time. Therefore, the team chose a phased expansion approach, considering the countries where online shopping was still booming. This way, the digitally savvy customers could be approached, and a strong presence could be established in a different country altogether. 2014-Singapore- The first international leap began in Singapore, where the market was heavily dominated by electronics and tech deals. CouponzGuru saw this opportunity and partnered with platforms like Asus, Lenovo, Samsung, and more. 2015- Malaysia- After successful expansion in Singapore, it was time for the Middle East; Malaysia, to be specific. The country's market is dominated by fashion and lifestyle. Thus, capitalizing on Malaysia's rapidly growing e-commerce scene. 2019-UAE- 2019 was the year when the platform expanded in the UAE and gained the trust of the customers by partnering with platforms like Noon, Namshi, and Emirates Airlines. 2020-Philippines- During 2020, the young online shopper base in the Philippines was rising, and CouponzGuru identified this change and offered affordable fashion and electronics deals to cater to them. 2020- USA- USA is one of the most competitive fashion markets in the world. CouponzGuru brought deals to both American and international brands to U.S. shoppers. What Sets CouponzGuru Apart from Its Competitors
CouponzGuru started as a small homegrown operation, and expanding into 6 countries is no piece of cake. The success of the platform rests on a few key pillars, which are listed below-
The platform made sure that the deals for each country are curated, keeping in mind the shopping behavior of the customers. For instance, electronics rule Singapore; however, luxury and travel shine in the UAE.
The platform works directly with the merchants to provide their customers with coupons and deals not available elsewhere.
The platform ensures that the coupons and deals listed on the website are all working. Their team updates all the offers daily, removing those that are no longer valid.
Regardless of the region or country, the site design remains clean and easy to navigate.
No business can flourish without overcoming some obstacles. CouponzGuru's success story indicates that the platform overcame a lot of obstacles along the way. Here are a few challenges that the company had to go through-
A lot of big coupon portals were already competing for customers' attention, and so, convincing brands to collaborate with a new platform that had just started was not an easy job.
Upon entering the U.S. market, CouponzGuru knew that they were competing with the big names like RetailMeNot and Honey. Therefore, the company solely focused on offering carefully curated deals and coupons. This ensured that they were appealing to the right audience.
The Indian market is different from the rest of the world, and so, what works in India might not work for Singapore or the UAE. Therefore, the team had to adapt marketing, customer targeting, and even languages for different countries.
The technology keeps changing, and so we should also change with it. CouponzGuru knew it had to change with the change in technology, and therefore, they had to quickly optimize for mobile users, implement faster speeds, and streamline navigation.
CouponzGuru's journey doesn't revolve around the fact that it replicates the same strategies in all countries. Instead, the company focuses on regional relevance. India- Massive engagement comes from the biggest sales of the year, including The Great Indian Festival sale and The Big Billion Days sale. Singapore- The highlights are mostly tech-sale events and back-to-school gadgets deals. Malaysia- The maximum traction comes from the fashion and travel category. UAE- The market is dominated by the discounts offered on flights and luxury shopping. Philippines- The key drivers are affordable mobile phones and apparel deals USA- Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and more such sales take the center stage. Recognition and Industry Standing
Undoubtedly, by offering the best deals and coupon codes, CouponzGuru has gained recognition in both India and abroad. The platform is now known as one of the best, with repeat users forming a significant part of its traffic. Currently, the platform features more than 3,000 brands, from household names to niche e-commerce startups.
CouponzGuru began its journey as a bootstrapped venture with a modest investment of just Rs. 25,000 in 2011. Now it has evolved globally and has spread its wings in 6 different countries. The journey was not an easy one; however, with strong determination and consistency, Mr. Vikash Khetan made it happen. However, the work is not done yet, and there is a lot that the company aims to do. Expand further into the European market. Focusing on emerging markets. A mobile app for a better user interaction. Expanding global partnerships and collaborations.
Undoubtedly, CouponzGuru's success story is proof of trust, adaptability, and strategic growth. No matter what the situation was, Mr. Khetan didn't give up on his dream and understood the entire requirements of the Indian as well as the global market. Today, the platform is well-positioned to remain a leader in the online savings space for the times to come.
Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy.
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