Encephalitis International

Simplifying global online shopping
for travellers

the idea

THE BRIEF

Splitcha was a start-up company that wanted to provide an online shopping service that aims to make shopping online while abroad as easy as it is when you’re at home. It wanted to connect globetrotters of all types and persuasions, from business travellers to international students, and enable them to overcome language fees, reduce delivery fees and get the best possible price.

what needed to be solved

THE PROBLEM

Splitcha approached The Distance to help them develop a mobile application solution that would overcome the problems traditionally associated with shopping online for international goods. They identified particular problems like ordering and sending packages across international borders, as it is often prohibitively expensive thanks to extortionate shipping, delivery and customs charges.

They wanted to make the process easier and utilise local vendors to provide this service, so the product had to cater to vendors and purchasers all in one.

the clever bit!

THE SOLUTION

The Distance started by identifying the core USP, the application had to be able to allow direct communication between vendors and purchasers. This was done through the use of an in-app chat feature that could only be accessed if an order was started. This allows purchases to actually use the vendor's in-depth local knowledge and also manage their orders efficiently.

The Distance also identified that a payment provider would need to be utilised to handle the transactions between the users and vendors. Paypal was integrated into the application to handle the payments and a CMS was created to manage the orders as well as having an overall control on the content displayed in the application. This allowed the Splitcha team to be able to offer support on orders as well as having control over security.

measuring success

THE RESULTS

The collaboration between The Distance and Splitcha resulted in the creation of an innovative and aesthetically pleasing cross-platform application, as well as a comprehensive content management system.

The app provides users with a unique global shopping experience, allowing them to experience other countries' cultures and commercial products, while also connecting shoppers around the world.

The CMS allowed Splitcha to manage those orders and handle any user feedback or issues directly.