With the help of technology, entrepreneurs and budding startups have the ability to build their businesses, acquire customers and drive profit.
Tictail, for example, was founded in an effort to help indie retailers create free online stores. The Swedish startup and New York City implant also acts as an e-Commerce marketplace that allows consumers to shop these international retailers in a central location. Now representing more than 75,000 retailers across 150 countries, Tictail recently extended app availability to mobile devices, which will allow retailers to quickly build and refine their online shopping experiences anywhere and at any time.
The move to mobile made sense for Tictail: More than 50% of the marketplace’s orders happen via mobile, a 75% increase over last year. In addition to designing and launching a site, Tictail users can embrace the new mobile functionality to snap photos and upload inventory, update product listings, access real-time analytics and fulfill orders. The company also manages tax, international pricing conversions, terms and conditions and other logistical areas.
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In an effort to generate buzz around its new headquarters in New York City, Tictail created a contest to help independent merchants. Winners were greeted by a bright and colorful branded van that offered everything a retailer may need to build an online storefront: a photographer, curator and someone to help with pricing and marketing.
“Tictail On Tour is our way of celebrating the NYC indie retailing community that we’re so inspired by, and facilitating local entrepreneurs to take the next step in starting online shops,” noted Jennie Wachtmeister, Head of Marketing at Tictail, in a blog post. “This summer, local retailers will have the chance to win a van visit from Tictail. Our goal here is to help and inspire the amazing entrepreneurs of New York to create free, online shops!
Contest winners included:
- Lina Michal, a Swedish fashion designer of womenswear. Michal won Vogue Talents Young Vision Award and made the finals of the H&M Awards.
- Avandi, a contemporary furniture and design studio providing items that are versatile, modular and made of durable materials. The studio was a finalist for the Martha Stewart American Made Awards.
- Nomada, a provider of vintage-style textiles inspired by Guatemalan designs.
