Is Short-Term Warehousing a business?
Imagine a truck loaded with goods, racing against the clock, only to arrive at a warehouse after closing hours or miss its tight delivery slot. This wasn't just a minor inconvenience; it was a frequent, costly logistical nightmare with cascading effects—delays, spoiled goods, additional fees, and frustrated clients. David, an experienced entrepreneur with a long history in the transportation services company IDL Logistika, saw this problem firsthand, repeatedly.
His vision was clear: to create a simple, digital solution. StoringCargo.com would be a marketplace where companies could easily reserve short-term warehousing across the EU, complete with delivery. The goal was to provide a flexible safety net, transforming potential logistical crises into smooth, temporary storage solutions.
THE VISION
Solving a logistical nightmare
David had a powerful idea, but translating that vision into a viable, market-ready solution presented its own set of unknowns. Our collaboration centered on a critical discovery phase, designed to rigorously test the core assumptions of his nascent business model. These were our fundamental questions:
How deep was the pain?
We needed to truly understand the severity of the logistical problem and who, if anyone, was actively seeking solutions.
Was this the right fix?
We had to determine if StoringCargo's envisioned marketplace was genuinely what the market needed.
Would demand materialize?
The crucial test: would potential customers actually commit to an order?
How do we sell it?
Learning the most effective ways to introduce and position this new service was paramount.
What's next for the product?
Establishing a continuous feedback loop was essential to inform future design and ensure the solution truly met user needs.
Our Quest for Answers
Mapping the Problem
We conducted detailed questionnaires and market research to uncover the true scope and root causes of the logistical problem.
Testing the Compass
A clickable prototype was developed and tested through user interviews and usability sessions to asses market resonance and gather feedback.
The "Wizard of Oz" Experiment
We mimicked a live service via a "Wizard of Oz" experiment, manually fulfilling warehouse search orders to observe real-world demand and refine the sales process.
Building the Support Structure
We knew a strong foundation was crucial. We offered guidance on setting up live customer support, ensuring future users would never feel lost. We also assisted with content marketing and case studies, leveraging early insights to tell compelling stories. Crucially, our research findings directly informed and advised on continuous product design iterations, ensuring the solution evolved with user needs.
Uncovering Hidden Paths through Manual Servicing
While manually facilitating short-term solutions, we unexpectedly created connections for clients seeking long-term distribution locations, unveiling a new potential customer segment.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT
The Unfolding Journey
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