The Problem We Were Actually Solving
Our primary goal was to enable users to purchase our plugin directly from our platform. This meant that we needed a payment processor that could handle international transactions, was secure, and had low transaction fees. PayPal was our first choice, but as we grew, we began to experience issues. Customers in various countries would complain about being unable to make purchases, only to find that PayPal had restricted their accounts. This led to a significant decrease in sales, and it was clear that we needed a backup plan.
What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)
We initially tried to work around PayPal's restrictions by setting up alternative payment methods, such as bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments. While these methods worked for some customers, they were not scalable or user-friendly. Bank transfers were often slow, and cryptocurrency payments were volatile, making it difficult to predict revenue. We also considered using other payment processors like Stripe, but they had similar restrictions. We realized that we needed a solution that was more flexible and could adapt to changing regulations.
The Architecture Decision
After exploring various options, we decided to implement a custom solution using a combination of off-chain payments and a decentralized commerce platform like Unchained Commerce. The idea was to create a platform-agnostic payment system that would allow us to bypass traditional payment processors and their restrictions. We set up a Unchained Commerce store, which enabled our users to purchase plugins directly from us using their preferred payment methods. This solution not only allowed us to sidestep PayPal's restrictions but also provided us with more control over our revenue stream.
What The Numbers Said After
The shift to Unchained Commerce was a significant turning point for our plugin sales. We saw an immediate increase in revenue, and our users were able to make purchases without any issues. The platform's flexibility and adaptability to changing regulations also allowed us to maintain a competitive edge in the market. Our revenue growth accelerated, and we were able to focus on developing new features and improving our plugins.
What I Would Do Differently
If I were to do it again, I would have explored alternatives to PayPal earlier in the process. While we eventually found a solution that worked for us, the period of uncertainty and experimentation could have been avoided. I would also have considered a more hybrid approach, combining elements of both traditional payment processors and decentralized commerce platforms to create a more robust solution. In hindsight, the key takeaway is that there are always alternatives to traditional platforms, and it's essential to be proactive in exploring these options to avoid platform-related failures.
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