D2C Brand from Scratch: Shopify, Funnel, and Customer Loyalty for Independent Direct Sales

A Swiss product brand with a proven offering – but no proprietary online channel. Sales were exclusively through retailers. Helda Solutions supported the complete setup of a direct-to-consumer channel: from strategy and Shopify setup to ongoing performance marketing management. Result: a profitable D2C channel within the first few months.
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Systeme Tools & Daten, Systeme Tools Daten KMU, 
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Marketing Automation KMU Systeme,
Tech Stack Marketing KMU,
CRM Auswahl KMU,
Datengetriebenes Marketing KMU,
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Initial situation: Good product, no direct sales

Brand without customer access

The brand had a clearly positioned product and satisfied end customers – but no direct access to them. Dealer margins reduced profitability. Customer data was held by the retailers, not by the brand.

No independent brand development possible

Without direct customer access, independent brand development was hardly possible. Pricing, communication, and positioning were tied to dealer structures – a real strategic bottleneck.

Decision: Establish D2C channel

The decision was made: Build our own direct-to-consumer channel. Direct customer access, full pricing power, complete customer data. Helda Solutions was brought in as an implementation partner.

Strategy: Design D2C channel, funnel, and online shop

Target Audience Definition and Positioning in Direct Sales

Together with Helda Solutions, the target group for the D2C channel was precisely defined. The positioning in direct sales was sharply developed – different from retail, more direct, more personal, with stronger brand loyalty.

Funnel Design from Awareness to Purchase

A complete funnel has been designed: from initial brand awareness, through interest and consideration, to the purchase decision. Each stage with suitable content, ads, and automations.

Email Strategy for Repeat Purchases and Referrals

An email retention strategy has been developed: welcome series, post-purchase sequences, re-engagement campaigns, and a referral program. Goal: Turn first-time buyers into repeat customers – systematically, not by chance.

Implementation: Shopify setup, performance marketing, and email automation

Shopify store with professional design and optimized checkout

Helda Solutions took over the complete Shopify setup: professional shop design, optimized product presentation, technically flawless checkout process. Mobile-first, conversion-optimized, fully GDPR / DSGVO compliant.

Google Ads and Meta Ads for Qualified Traffic

Alongside the shop launch, Google Ads and Meta Ads campaigns were set up. Clear focus on qualified traffic: interested parties with genuine purchase intent, not just clicks. Budget-efficient and measurable.

Multi-Step Email Automation on HighLevel

A complete email automation on HighLevel: Welcome series for new customers, abandoned cart sequence, post-purchase sequence for repeat purchases, reactivation campaign for inactive contacts. Fully automated, personalized.

Result: Standalone D2C channel with growing customer base

First standalone D2C revenues in the first three months

Within the first three months after launch, the D2C channel generated its first independent revenues. The channel was profitable before the year-end – a strong signal of market acceptance.

Significantly Higher Repurchase Rate Through Email Automation

The multi-stage email automation significantly increased the repurchase rate compared to new customer revenue alone. First-time buyers were systematically converted into repeat customers – without manual follow-up work.

Full data control and direct customer access

Today, the brand has full customer data control: purchase history, preferences, communication behavior. This is the foundation for independent brand development – and the most important strategic asset created by D2C.

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30 Min. | Non-binding | Free of charge

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