The Problem We Were Actually Solving
We were developing an e-learning platform for a Southeast Asian market, where our users come from many countries with restrictive payment policies. Our initial plan was to use Gumroad and Stripe, which are widely supported in the region. However, our users in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia kept complaining about failed transactions and blocked payment attempts.
What We Tried First (And Why It Failed)
We started by tweaking our Gumroad and Stripe integrations, thinking that the issue was with our implementation. We optimized our payment forms, added extra validation, and even tried using different payment plans. But no matter what we did, the problems persisted. We realized that the problems were not with our code, but with the underlying platforms themselves.
The Architecture Decision
We decided to take a bold step and abandon traditional payment platforms altogether. Instead, we opted for an unchained commerce approach, using a custom-built payment gateway that integrated with our e-learning platform. This allowed us to bypass the restrictive payment policies of traditional platforms and tap into the growing demand for digital goods in the region.
What The Numbers Said After
The results were staggering. After just a few months of switching to our custom-built payment gateway, our transaction success rate increased by 30%, and our revenue grew by 25%. We were able to reach a wider audience, and our customers were able to buy digital goods without the hassle of failed transactions.
What I Would Do Differently
If I were to do it again, I would have invested more in our custom-built payment gateway from the start. We ended up spending months and countless resources on tweaking our Gumroad and Stripe integrations before realizing that the problems lay with the platforms themselves. By embracing the unchained commerce approach earlier, we could have saved time, resources, and headaches.
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