Sitting across from Hassan, the founder of ShopHassan (not real name), an online store selling locally made fashion and accessories, you can tell this man is on a mission. He launched his e-commerce platform a few months ago with big dreams, but as we begin chatting, it’s clear that the reality of running a business in Nigeria has been, as he puts it, “nothing short of a battle.”
What inspired you to start your e-commerce business, especially in fashion?
Hassan: Well, I’ve always been passionate about supporting local artisans. Nigeria is full of talent when it comes to fashion—tailors, bead-makers, shoe designers, you name it. I saw a gap in the market where people abroad were craving authentic Nigerian pieces, and even people here wanted quality products but didn’t know where to find them. So, I thought, why not build an online store that brings these products directly to people’s doorsteps?
That’s a great idea! But how has it been going?
Hassan: (laughs) Walai, it’s been tough. Selling fashion online in this economy is not for the faint-hearted. It’s not even about having great products; it’s about getting people to trust your platform and actually make payments without hassle. You know, I spent all this money building a beautiful website—a nice layout, professional photos of our products—only for my customers to get stuck at the checkout.
Wait, what do you mean stuck at checkout?
Hassan: (sighs) Payments. It’s like a bad dream. I have customers who select their items—whether it’s ankara dresses, hand-crafted shoes, or custom jewelry—they’re excited, but the payment doesn’t go through. Some will call me, saying they want to pay but the platform rejected their card, others just give up entirely. Then you have people who insist they don’t want to use their cards at all, so they ask for bank transfer details. I mean, come on! It’s 2024, but this whole process is making me feel like we’re in 2014.
That sounds frustrating. How often does that happen?
Hassan: More often than I’d like. In fact, I’m losing a lot of customers, especially the ones abroad. They don’t want the headache of converting to naira or dealing with their cards getting rejected. It’s killing my business. Nigerians don’t trust payment gateways much, so most of them are like, “Hassan, just send your account number.” I’ve become an account officer at this point.
That’s tough. Have you tried any alternatives for payments?
Hassan: I’ve been trying to find the right solution. I heard about crypto as an option, but honestly, I thought it was only for the tech bros or people with big money. It didn’t seem like something that would work for my fashion business. But after all the payment failures I’ve seen, I’m open to anything at this point. Even my cousin in the US told me she couldn’t complete her order because her card was rejected. Imagine how embarrassing that is!
That’s rough. But it sounds like you’re open to new solutions.
Hassan: I have to be. The Nigerian economy is unpredictable. One minute, people have money to spend, and the next minute, CBN policies are affecting transactions. And let’s not even get started on network issues—every bank has their own wahala. So if there’s something out there that can make payments seamless, I’m all ears.
Have you heard of Quidax API integration for e-commerce businesses?
Hassan: (leaning forward) Quidax? That’s the crypto guys, abi? I thought that was for trading only. How does it work for a business like mine?
Glad you asked. With Quidax API, you can integrate a payment system that allows your customers to pay not just in naira but also in cryptocurrency, making it easier for both local and international customers. No more payment rejections or failed transactions. Whether they’re paying with their cards, bank transfers, or crypto, the Quidax system handles it seamlessly. Plus, the integration is quick and easy, meaning you can focus on selling your ankara and custom-made jewellery without worrying about payments.
Hassan: Wait, so I could accept payments from my cousin in the US, or from anyone paying in Bitcoin, and it all goes through the same platform?
Exactly! And your local customers won’t need to call you for account numbers anymore. Everything is handled through your site, whether they’re paying in naira or crypto. It’s the perfect solution for businesses like yours where payments are a major roadblock.
Hassan: Wow. Honestly, that sounds like a dream come true. You’re telling me I can focus on scaling my business, reaching more people, and I don’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll be able to pay?
Exactly. Quidax API will handle that for you. You focus on getting those beautiful products to your customers.
Hassan: (laughing) I’m sold. I’m definitely going to check this out. If this works, it’ll be a game-changer for ShopHassan. No more chasing payments. I can’t wait to get started!
Does Hassan’s story sound familiar?
If you’re also struggling with payment issues for your e-commerce business, it’s time to make the switch to Quidax API. Simplify your payment processes, offer multiple payment options, and start focusing on what really matters—growing your business. Ready to start? Visit Quidax API today!
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and not financial advice. Please do your own research (DYOR) or speak to a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
