Ziqqi E-Commerce Application Development

Introduction

About six months into this development business, the founder decided to share the challenges, strategies, and documentation behind the Ziqqi e-commerce application. His goal was to bring abundant inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, motivating them to get started in the e-commerce industry.

During the application development process, he faced several significant challenges, including:

• Time Commitment: As a business owner dedicated to curating high-quality accessory products, he spent a substantial amount of time selecting stylish, valuable, and convenient pieces.
• Supplier Management: Managing and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers posed another hurdle. As a startup, he personally influenced suppliers, requested product details, arranged orders, conducted follow-ups, and made independent decisions.

Inspiration Behind Ziqqi

Ziqqi is an innovative e-commerce application inspired by the Ziqqi website. The founder realized that Somaliland, particularly Hargeisa, lacked a functional e-commerce application. With more people seeking new trends and convenient online shopping, he launched Ziqqi as the first application of its kind in the region.

Challenges Faced

The primary goal was to develop a cross-platform e-commerce application for iOS & Android that would:

• Keep customers updated with the latest trends.
• Offer special promotions, discount coupons, and an enhanced shopping experience.
• Provide seamless shopping across multiple product categories.
• Integrate local payment gateways like Zaad & Edahab, which no other e-commerce application in Somaliland had used before.
• Serve as an effective marketing tool with an interactive UI/UX design, creative features such as drag and drop, layered scrolling, and structured categories/subcategories.

Launching an e-commerce application in a region where people were unfamiliar with such platforms presented a significant challenge. The team focused on creating user-friendly interfaces while educating customers on how to navigate an e-commerce app.

Our Approach

To successfully bridge the gap between the Ziqqi website and the mobile application, we implemented several key strategies:

• Enhancing User Experience: We designed the application to simplify shopping and provide an intuitive experience.
• Integrating Payment Systems: We ensured secure and convenient transactions by incorporating Zaad & Edahab payment gateways.
• Improving Speed & Accessibility: We optimized the mobile app to be faster and easier to use than the website.
• Strengthening Brand Identity: We aligned the app’s design with the brand’s identity, creating a recognizable and engaging user experience.

We completed the development process within a short timeframe, meeting all client expectations. Now, customers can shop effortlessly and stay updated with the latest fashion and accessory trends.

Results & Impact

The launch of the Ziqqi iOS & Android application introduced Somaliland, particularly Hargeisa, to a revolutionary shopping experience. The app features interactive and personalized UI/UX designs, making it highly engaging and user-friendly.

Key Achievements:

• First-of-its-kind e-commerce app in Somaliland
• Seamless integration of Zaad & Edahab payment gateways
• Optimized checkout process for a smoother buyer experience
• Enhanced user engagement with interactive features

By overcoming these challenges and pioneering e-commerce in the region, Ziqqi has established itself as a trailblazer. It now provides an efficient and enjoyable online shopping experience for customers in Somaliland.