KoiKoi Droplets
Case Study

When Collectibles Meet Digital Ambitions

Some projects come to you through referrals. Others find you when passion meets the need for digital evolution.

Enter KoiKoi Droplets – a toy and collectibles business that was ready to leap from marketplace dependency to ecommerce independence. When you're dealing with rare collectibles and limited edition toys, your digital presence needs to be as unique as the products you're selling.

This wasn't just about building another toy ecommerce website. This was about creating a digital ecosystem that could handle everything from brand identity to customer acquisition – because when you're competing in the collectibles space, every detail matters.

The Challenge: Breaking Free from Marketplace Dependency

KoiKoi Droplets had built a solid business selling through TradeMe, but like many successful sellers, they hit the ceiling of what marketplace platforms could offer. Limited customization, restricted customer data, and zero control over the user experience.

They needed to transition from being just another seller on someone else's platform to becoming a destination collectibles online store that collectors would bookmark, return to, and recommend to friends.

The brief? "Help us take control of our digital destiny."

Challenge accepted. Time to build something that puts the power back in their hands.

The Reality Check: Working Within Platform Constraints

Here's where I need to swallow my pride and admit something painful: this project started on Shopify. *Cue the internal screaming.*

The backstory? At the time, I was in business with a partner who... let's just say didn't have my best interests at heart. While dealing with that clusterfuck of a business relationship, we built the KoiKoi website through Shopify. Yeah, I'm still throwing up a little thinking about it.

Look, I'll be the first to admit that Shopify isn't my platform of choice. Give me custom code any day over drag-and-drop limitations. But sometimes you work with what the timeline, budget, and frankly, business partner drama allow – while planning for the future you really want to build.

Beyond the Website: Building a Complete Brand Ecosystem

Here's where the real magic happened. While the toy ecommerce platform was getting set up, we were simultaneously building everything else that makes a brand feel professional and trustworthy.

The result? A cohesive brand experience that makes KoiKoi Droplets look like an established player in the collectibles space, not just another hobby seller who went digital.

The Digital Marketing Machine: From Zero to Hero

Building the website was just the beginning. The real challenge? Taking a business that relied entirely on TradeMe organic reach and turning it into a digital marketing powerhouse.

We're not just running ads – we're building a comprehensive toy store marketing strategy that turns browsers into buyers and one-time customers into loyal collectors.

The Trust Factor: Why Clients Become Collaborators

Here's what I love about working with KoiKoi Droplets – they didn't just hire me for one thing and disappear. They trusted me with their entire digital presence, from logo design to advertising strategy.

That level of trust doesn't happen overnight. It builds through consistent delivery, transparent communication, and results that speak louder than promises. When a client trusts you with their collectibles ecommerce dreams, you better deliver.

And the results? They're happy. Revenue is growing. Brand recognition is building. Mission accomplished.

But we're just getting started.

The Future: Custom Greatness Awaits

Let's be honest about the elephant in the room – this Shopify setup is a stepping stone, not the destination. We've proven the concept, built the audience, and established the revenue streams.

Phase two is where things get really exciting: a complete custom ecommerce platform rebuild with all the animations, interactions, and functionality that will make competitors wonder how the hell we pulled it off.

Because when you're selling collectibles, the buying experience should be as memorable as the products themselves.

Growing Together: The Partnership That Keeps Evolving

To the KoiKoi Droplets team – thank you for trusting me with not just your website, but your entire digital transformation. From marketplace seller to independent ecommerce brand, we've built something special together.

This project proves something important: sometimes you start with the tools you have, not the tools you want. But with the right strategy, creativity, and partnership, you can build something that exceeds expectations regardless of the platform.

Here's to growing together – from Shopify placeholder to custom masterpiece, from TradeMe dependency to digital independence.

Ready to take your collectibles business to the next level? Let's build something that your customers will want to collect too.