A Journey from Startup to Success
Scaling a startup is no small feat. It demands vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to solving problems in ways no one else can. At Terer, our mission was clear from the start: to revolutionize the beverage industry by bringing Malaysia’s finest F&B outlets together in one seamless app. Here’s how we turned our vision into a thriving reality.
From the outset, we saw a gap in the market: consumers craved more value in their daily coffee and meal routines, while merchants sought new ways to attract and retain customers beyond traditional delivery services. Our market research confirmed these pain points, laying the groundwork for Terer.
Building the Foundation
We started small but strong, with a team of passionate individuals driven by our mission. Our early focus was on developing a user-friendly app with a robust backend to ensure smooth transactions. We faced challenges, from technical hiccups to finding the right partners, but our resilience paid off.
Launch and Early Growth
Our launch strategy was straightforward yet impactful. We leveraged social media and word-of-mouth to generate buzz, while early adopters provided crucial feedback that helped us refine the app. Initial promotions and limited-time deals significantly boosted user acquisition.
Strategic Partnerships
One of our biggest growth drivers has been strategic partnerships. Collaborating with startups and key merchants like Toast Maker allowed us to offer exclusive deals that attracted new users. These partnerships also helped us tap into the loyal customer bases of our merchants, creating a win-win situation.
Expanding Features and Services
Listening to our users has always been key to our growth. Based on feedback, we expanded our offerings beyond beverages to include food items and set lunches. We also introduced innovative features like bulk purchase options and long-term savings plans, which resonated with our audience.
Marketing and Outreach
As Terer expanded, our marketing strategy evolved with it. Online marketing, especially through social media, has become a vital tool for connecting with a broader audience. Offline efforts, such as community engagement and physical giveaways, further amplified our brand’s presence. Events like the Toast Maker giveaway not only drew crowds but also deepened our community connections.
By August 2024, Terer proudly partnered with 48 active outlets, resulting in a 67% average increase in orders and a 20% rise in repeat customers. We successfully reduced our customer acquisition cost from RM 36 to just RM 12 by strategically targeting merchants in areas like TTDI and Subang Jaya, helping SMEs grow their customer base.
Our success was driven by effective marketing tactics—distributing marketing collateral that motivated merchants to offer irresistible deals, combined with engaging photoshoots, video content creation, and merchant incentives that significantly boosted customer acquisition.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Customer experience is at the heart of Terer. We ensure a seamless journey from browsing deals to redeeming purchases, with a support team ready to assist at every step. Feedback from satisfied customers, who save significantly on their daily coffee and meals, keeps us motivated to improve.
Scaling Operations
As Terer scaled, expanding our team was essential. We hired skilled professionals who brought fresh ideas and expertise while streamlining operations to handle increased demand without compromising quality. Investments in technology ensured our processes were efficient and scalable.
Our journey has had its share of challenges. From technical glitches to fierce competition, each obstacle taught us valuable lessons. Early app stability issues, for example, led us to invest more in our tech infrastructure, resulting in a more robust platform.
The Road Ahead
The future of Terer is bright. We plan to introduce more innovative features, expand our merchant network, and explore new markets. Our vision is to become the go-to app for food and beverage deals in Malaysia and beyond.
Scaling Terer has been an incredible journey, made possible by our dedicated team, supportive partners, and loyal users. Our story is a testament to what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a relentless focus on innovation. For those on a similar path, our advice is simple: stay focused, stay resilient, and never stop innovating.