Scaling to $750M: The Success of a Digital-First Car Marketplace

5 min

IN A NUTSHELL

6x increase in car sales within 6 months of launch

$500M revenue generated from 20,000 cars sold post-MVP

30,000 cars sold for $750M after full platform rollout

10% increase in conversion rates through optimized purchasing flow

About Client

The client is a leading used-car valuation and purchase company in Turkey. Since its 2019 launch, the client has traded over 50,000 vehicles, revolutionizing the used-car sales industry in Turkey through digital-first innovation. Its main focus is on transparent and hassle-free end-to-end car-buying service.

EMPLOYEES

~ 500

LOCATION

Turkey

INDUSTRY

Automotive

01

What Was the Challenge

The Turkish market relies heavily on traditional, offline used car transactions. Although the client already had a strong presence in the automotive market, it needed its own innovative online platform for selling cars for selling used cars in the Turkish market. The primary challenge was establishing brand loyalty, with the goal to incentivize Turkish customers to buy cars fully online, without prior physical inspection, a concept perceived as risky. Additionally, the company aimed to automate key processes, including payments and vehicle registration, to create a streamlined, end-to-end experience for buyers.

02

How We Solved the Problem

Ciklum helped the client develop the product from its initial concept into a functional ecommerce platform within a tight timeframe of six months. Using dynamic roadmaps across all portfolio products, Ciklum introduced a user-centric framework and design sprints, leading to incremental improvements in products that resulted in increased adoption and conversion rates. Additionally, a cloud-native microservices web application was executed to address scalability requirements.

Salesforce-Based E-Commerce Platform

Ciklum developed a Salesforce-powered digital marketplace that streamlined the entire buying and selling process for used cars. This fully integrated platform enabled customers to browse, evaluate, and purchase vehicles online, ensuring a seamless experience that mimicked the traditional offline car-buying journey.

Building Trust Through Transparency

We integrated detailed inspection reports, high-resolution images, and transparent pricing to address concerns about hidden defects. By providing comprehensive vehicle history and condition reports, we built buyer confidence, making it easier for customers to trust and finalize their purchases online.

Optimizing Purchasing Flow

Using A/B testing, heatmaps, and real-time analytics, we identified key friction points in the customer journey and refined the purchasing flow. This resulted in a 10% increase in conversion rates, reducing drop-offs and ensuring a smoother transaction process from browsing to final purchase.

Seamless, Commission-Free Payments

Ciklum implemented direct banking integrations, eliminating third-party payment providers and reducing transaction fees. By enabling instant, secure, commission-free transactions, we enhanced trust in high-value purchases, making online car buying more efficient and cost-effective for customers.

Value-Added Services (VAS)

To enhance the buying experience, we introduced financing and insurance services within the platform. By embedding these offerings into the transaction process, we improved customer retention, increased service adoption rates by 10 points, and boosted overall car sales by 3%.

Post-MVP Continuous Optimization

Through repeated usability testing, customer feedback, and competitor benchmarking, we ensured continuous improvements to the platform. These refinements strengthened user trust, increased engagement, and sustained growth, allowing the client to scale its operations while maintaining a superior customer experience.