The art of selling directly to consumers

In 2025, it is predicted that online sales will reach around $7.4 trillion — that’s a lot of bread.  

Traditionally, manufacturers make their wares and sell or store them with a retailer to sell on their behalf. However, with customers doing most of their shopping online nowadays, many manufacturers have picked up on the potential money to make by having an online presence. Some have gone even further to cut out the middleman completely.  

In this article, we will explore the art of selling directly to consumers as a manufacturer.  

What is direct-to-consumer selling?

Direct-to-consumer (DTC or D2C) selling are business models where brands are selling products directly to consumers, bypassing retailers.  

This allows brands to have greater control over their:  

• Pricing   
• Product assortment   
• Overall customer experience   

DTC brands have been rising recently as customers increasingly shop online and are more open to buying from new and lesser-known brands.   

Many DTC brands start with an online store but eventually open physical stores — known as omnichannel retail selling.   

Some successful examples of DTC brands include:  

• Everlane 
• Bonobos 
• Warby Parker 
• Dollar Shave Club  

These brands have built strong relationships with their customers by being transparent about their pricing, manufacturing, and business practices.  

They also offer high-quality products and great services for building customer relationships.  

If you’re considering selling DTC, it’s important to ensure that your brand can connect with customers and create a strong emotional connection. You’ll also need robust e-commerce platforms and fulfillment infrastructure in place. Finally, it’s important to be prepared for the challenges of running a DTC business, such as managing returns and dealing with shipping logistics.  

Differences between DTC and wholesale?

Wholesaling and direct-to-consumer model (DTC) are great options for expanding your business.

But what’s the difference between them?

Wholesalers sell products in bulk to retailers, who are selling products to clients. This means that wholesalers don’t directly sell to customers. On the other hand, DTC businesses sell their products directly to customers. There’s no middleman involved.

There are pros and cons to both approaches. Wholesaling can be a great way to reach clients through retailers. But it also means that you have less control over how your products are sold and marketed.

DTC selling gives you more control over your brand and how your products are presented to customers. But it can be harder to reach a wide audience without going through retailers.

Ultimately, the best approach for your business will depend on your products, goals, and audience.

Consider all of your options before making a decision.

Why are brands going direct-to-consumer?

There are several reasons why brands are increasingly going direct-to-consumer (DTC).  

Perhaps the most important one is that it allows them to control their brand and customer relationships. When brands sell through third-party retailers, they give up a certain degree of control over how their products are presented and marketed. They also have less visibility into their customers and what they want.  

DTC allows brands to build a more intimate customer relationships. They can collect data directly from them and use it to improve their products and operations. And because they’re not relying on middlemen, they can offer lower prices.  

Going DTC is also a way for brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace.   

In recent years, there has been an explosion of new brands and products. Many of these are sold through online marketplaces like Amazon, making it difficult for customers to find what they’re looking for. By going DTC, brands can create their own unique space and build a direct connection with their customers.   

This is especially important for young brands that are still establishing themselves.   

Of course, not every brand is suited for a DTC model. Building a direct-sales operation requires a significant investment of time and money. And some brands simply don’t have the kind of product that would work well in a DTC setting.   

But for many brands, going DTC is a way to stay relevant and competitive in the modern marketplace.   

It’s a way to take control of their destiny and build a more sustainable business.   

Examples of manufacturers selling directly to consumers

In recent years, there has been a trend of manufacturers selling directly to consumers.  

This is often done to form better customer relationships and increase brand awareness. Here are seven examples of businesses that have executed innovative and a unique marketing strategy to sell directly to customers:  

1. Warby Parker

Warby Parker is a glasses company that sells its products through an online store and in physical stores. The company offers a “Home Try-On” program, where customers can order five frames to try on at home for free. Customers then have five days to decide which frame they want to keep before returning the others.  

2. Everlane

Everlane is a clothing company that sells its products online. The company offers a “Choose What You Pay” program for some of its items, where customers can choose to pay either the true cost, which is the cost of the item minus the markup, or the standard price.  

3. Bonobos

Bonobos is a clothing company that sells its products online and in physical stores. They offer customers free shipping and returns on all of their orders. Customers can also schedule an appointment to visit a “Guideshop” to try on clothes before ordering them.  

4. Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club is a subscription service that delivers razor blades to customers’ homes. The company offers a “try before you buy” program, where customers can sign up for a free trial and receive razors, blades, and shaving cream. After the trial, they can continue their subscription or cancel it. 

5. Birchbox

Birchbox is a subscription service that delivers beauty products to customers’ homes. Customers can receive either a monthly box of five samples or a quarterly box of full-size products. The company also offers a loyalty program, where customers can earn points to redeem for future purchases.  

6. NatureBox

NatureBox is a subscription service that delivers healthy snacks to customers’ homes. Customers can choose from various plans, including a monthly plan, a quarterly plan, or a yearly plan. The company also offers a “try before you buy” program, where customers can sign up for a free trial and receive five snack boxes.  

7. Trunk Club

Trunk Club is a clothing company that sells its products online and in physical stores. Customers can schedule an appointment to visit a “Clubhouse” to try on clothes before ordering them. The company also offers a styling service, where customers can provide their preferences and must hand-pick stylish items for them.  

3 advantages of selling directly to consumers      

If you’re not already selling directly to consumers through an online store, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.  

Here are three key advantages of direct selling online that you should know about:  

1. Reach consumers further afield

When you sell online, you’re not limited by geography.  

You can reach customers worldwide with the click of a button. There are several reasons why a manufacturer needs to reach a wider audience:  

• A wider audience means more potential customers — if handled correctly, it can lead to more sales and profits   
• A wider audience can provide valuable feedback about products or services — this feedback can help improve the quality of products or services  
• A wider audience can help create brand awareness and recognition  

All of these factors can help a manufacturer succeed in the marketplace. 

2. Lower costs 

Selling online is often cheaper than traditional brick-and-mortar retail methods since you don’t have the overhead costs of physical storefronts.  

There are many reasons why a manufacturer needs to lower costs. One of the most important reasons is that it can help increase profits. When costs are lowered, manufacturers can sell their products for less, which means more people will likely buy them.  

Additionally, lowering costs can help a company compete more effectively against its rivals. If two companies sell similar products, the one with lower costs is likely to be more successful. Finally, lowering costs can help a company attract new customers and retain existing ones.  

If customers know that a company can keep its prices low, they will be more likely to do business with that company.  

There are many ways in which manufacturers can lower costs.  

Some common methods include:  

• Reducing the cost of raw materials inventory management
• Improving manufacturing efficiency  
• Automating production processes on the shop floor  

Additionally, manufacturers may lower costs by outsourcing some of their operations to countries where labor and other costs are lower. By lowering costs, manufacturers can improve their bottom line and become more successful businesses. 

3. Increased convenience 

Customers appreciate the convenience of shopping for what they want when they want it.  

And with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to set up and maintain an online store. There are several reasons why a manufacturer needs to offer increased convenience to its customers: 

• When customers can easily find and purchase the products they need, they are more likely to be satisfied with their overall experience — This can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth marketing for the company   
• Convenient shopping options can help to attract new customers — If a company makes it easy for potential customers to learn about and purchase its products, they are more likely to become loyal, long-term fans  
• Offering increased convenience can help a company stand out from its competitors  

Any advantage that a company can offer its customers is worth pursuing. By making shopping more convenient, manufacturers can give their customers one more reason to choose them over the competition. 

If you’re not using e-commerce platforms, these advantages should be enough to convince you to give it a try. With the right approach, selling directly to consumers can be a great way to grow your business.   

3 challenges of selling directly to consumers

However, there are some challenges with selling directly to consumers, and if you read on, we’ll look into a case study of a former poster child of direct selling. For now, here are the main three challenges to overcome:

1. Understanding what clients want

The first challenge of selling directly to consumers is understanding what they want. This can be difficult, as customers’ needs and wants constantly change. Businesses must research and monitor consumer trends to stay ahead of the curve.

2. Reaching clients where they are

Another challenge of selling directly to consumers is reaching them where they are. With the vast array of channels now available, businesses need to identify which ones their target customers are using and ensure their marketing efforts are effective on those channels.

3. Competition from other businesses

Finally, businesses need to be aware of the competition when selling directly to consumers. With more and more businesses entering the fray, it’s important to differentiate oneself in the marketplace. This can be done through pricing, product offerings, or the customer experience.

There are always ways to overcome it, no matter what challenges a business face when selling directly to consumers.

Businesses can succeed in this growing area by being aware of the challenges and taking steps to address them.

9 tips for getting started with the DTC model

If you’re considering launching a DTC model, you should keep a few things in mind. Here are eight tips for getting you started.

1. Find your niche

The first step is to find your niche. What kind of products are you going to sell? Who is your target market? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can build your brand around them.

2. Build a strong brand

Your DTC model will only be as successful as your brand allows it to be. Make sure you put the time and effort into developing a strong, recognizable brand that will resonate with your target market.

3. Create compelling content

Content is key when it comes to DTC marketing. You need to create compelling content that will grab attention and convert leads into customers.

4. Invest in social media

Social media is one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal for promoting your DTC business. Make sure you invest time and resources to build a strong social media presence.

5. Focus on SEO

SEO is essential for any website, but it’s especially important for DTC model businesses. Make sure you’re doing everything possible to optimize your site for search engines so people can easily find you online and you’ll need e-commerce platforms to help you manage these orders.

6. Use data to your advantage

Data is your friend when it comes to putting together a DTC marketing strategy. Use data to segment your audience, create targeted campaigns, and track your results.

7. Test, test, test

The only way to know what works and what doesn’t is to test different ideas and see how they perform. Always be testing new things so you can optimize your DTC marketing strategy.

8. Never stop learning

The DTC model is always changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices. Make sure you’re constantly learning and evolving to keep your business ahead of the curve.

9. Adopting software

Spreadsheets can only carry you so far. Eventually you’ll need to consider implement software to help you manage your manufacturing operations and multiple sales channels to scale selling directly to consumers.

Following these tips for getting started, you’ll be well to launching a successful DTC business. Remember always to keep learning and evolving to stay ahead of the competition.

Katana ERP software for selling directly to consumers 

Katana is an all-in-one solution for direct-to-consumer selling that allows you to manage your order fulfillment, production scheduling, and floor-level management from one easy-to-navigate platform.  

ERP software like Katana helps manufacturers cut out the middleman and increase their profits with:  

A real-time master planner 

Katana ERP software automatically takes available finished goods and raw materials. It allocates them to open sales and manufacturing orders, helping you understand your production capabilities briefly and fulfill orders even quicker.  

Track all your different types of inventories 

Not only can you track finished goods, but with Katana, you get real-time updates on raw material consumption. Avoid stockouts by setting reorder points and tracking your items from supplier to production and customer with batch tracking.  

Integrate with your favorite tools 

When selling directly to consumers, it’s essential to use e-commerce and accounting software. Katana integrates with  Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce channels so you can manage all your sales from one place. It’s even capable of integrating with accounting software such as QuickBooks too.   

And there, now you have everything you need to start successfully selling directly to consumers.  

Why not take Katana for a spin? Get started by booking a demo and start scaling your business today.