Easterine Kire
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]landlo was recommended to me by a friend. He said that the company would solve my marketing problems of reaching readers outside Nagaland. A quick email connected me to the two young people who have dreamed this up.
Ilandlo is the brainchild of Imtisunup Longchar and Lipokjungla Ozukum. Based in Dimapur, it offers online shopping, catering to shoppers of products manufactured by Nagas. It is a big blessing for many of us Naga entrepreneurs who struggle to deal with the problem of reaching customers and readers within and outside Nagaland.
Naga entrepreneurs have reached the stage where they are producing quality items, and are ready to cater to a global market in terms of quality. However, the common problem they all face is how to reach customers outside Nagaland and India. Ilandlo was formed after intensive research into the feasibility of putting Naga products online.Can you really sit in the comfort of your own home and sell your products around the world? Sounds a bit futuristic where Nagaland is concerned. But it is possible now thanks to Ilandlo. The duo launched the Beta phase of their company on the 22nd February 2014 and went live on the 15th May 2014. According to Imtisunup Longchar, Ilandlo has experienced an increase in average sales at the rate of 188.70 % during the consecutive months after it began its first sales in May. He clarified that their customer base is not only within Nagaland, but that they have additionally had sales outside the state as well as overseas. The customer feedback that they received mentions, “quality goods, quick response, and fast delivery.”
Ilandlo is based in Dimapur which means that the Dimapur customers have the added advantage of Cash on delivery (COD) services where ordered goods are delivered to their doorstep.
The team of two continue to work out of their own homes, using their pocket money. Their investment included purchase of the website and yearly fees for maintaining the website. They say that they want to build credibility and trust, and focus on providing a reliable customer service.
Online shopping at Ilandlo extends to those Nagas living in far-flung areas in the state. These customers can pay for purchases by using the services of their village bank and simply deposit the stated amount. I like the way it circumvents the problems of customers who lack net-banking services.
One can clearly see that Ilandlo has researched all the possible hurdles and found ways to overcome them. That is really commendable. This is a company that needs the support and encouragement of the Naga public as it is providing a service very sorely needed. We can support them best by using it and sending constructive feedback. The team has already encountered negative critics who predicted that this wouldn’t work. But they have stayed on course with their dream and now the statistics speak for themselves. There are enough Nagas who think online shopping is a convenient and good idea, and the rest can be taught the benefits in course of time. Let’s give Ilandlo a big hand! Or better still, let’s get online and go shopping at Ilandlo.
