Unlocking New Growth: Building iDry’s Direct-to-Consumer Channel with Remix Hydrogen and Shopify

iDry, a pioneering company specialising in body dryers designed for elderly and disabled individuals, faced a critical challenge: reaching their customers directly in an increasingly digital marketplace. While their products offered tremendous value for improving accessibility and independence, iDry’s existing sales channels were not optimised for direct consumer engagement. They needed a solution that would allow them to bypass traditional distribution models and tap into the growing demand for online shopping.

That’s where we came in.

At RODA Technology, we collaborated with iDry to design and launch a sleek, user-friendly Shopify site, powered by Remix Hydrogen, that could support their growing direct-to-consumer ambitions. By harnessing the flexibility and power of Shopify, combined with the performance capabilities of Remix Hydrogen, we built a robust ecommerce platform that allowed iDry to reach their customers more efficiently than ever before.

The results were immediate and impactful. Within a short time, iDry’s new direct-to-consumer revenue stream became their fastest-growing sales channel, opening up new opportunities for growth and expansion. This case study explores how we helped iDry unlock their full potential through a customised, scalable ecommerce solution.

The Challenge

iDry’s primary challenge was their reliance on third-party distributors, which limited their direct interaction with customers and eroded potential profit margins. While they recognized the opportunity to sell directly to consumers, they lacked the technical infrastructure and expertise to build an effective online store that could support their unique product line. Additionally, they needed a solution that would cater to their target market—elderly and disabled individuals—who require accessible and easy-to-use web interfaces.

Furthermore, iDry required a platform that could scale as they expanded their product line and customer base, while also integrating seamlessly with their existing operations, such as inventory management and order fulfillment.

The Solution

To address these challenges, we opted to build iDry’s new online store on Shopify, leveraging the cutting-edge capabilities of Remix Hydrogen to create a highly performant, flexible solution. Shopify provided the foundation for managing products, orders, and payments, while Remix Hydrogen enabled us to craft a custom frontend experience that was both fast and scalable.

Key Customisations:

• Optimised Accessibility:

  Given iDry’s target audience, we placed a strong emphasis on ensuring the site was accessible for elderly and disabled users. This included large, easy-to-read fonts, simple navigation, and a streamlined checkout process that minimised steps for users.

• Mobile Optimisation:

  With an increasing number of consumers shopping on mobile devices, we ensured that the site was fully responsive, offering a seamless shopping experience across all screen sizes.

• Custom Shopify Integrations:

  We integrated Shopify apps that facilitated smoother inventory management, streamlined shipping options, and offered post-purchase engagement features to improve customer retention.

The result was a site that not only looked sleek but was also easy to manage on the backend and ready to support future growth.

Implementation Process

The project was broken down into several key phases:

1. Discovery and Planning: We worked closely with the iDry team to understand their goals, product offerings, and customer base. Through this, we identified the key features and design principles that would drive the project’s success.

2. Design and Development: Once the foundation was set, we moved into the design phase, creating a clean, intuitive interface that aligned with iDry’s brand identity. Our development team then used Remix Hydrogen to build a fast, dynamic frontend while ensuring seamless integration with Shopify’s backend services.

3. Testing and Optimisation: Before launching, the site underwent rigorous testing to ensure all functionalities worked as expected, particularly around accessibility and mobile usability. We also optimised the site for speed and SEO to maximize its visibility and performance.

4. Launch: The final phase was a successful launch, after which we continued to monitor performance and made additional adjustments based on real-world usage and feedback.

Results & Impact

The impact of the new Shopify site was immediate and transformative for iDry.

Key Results:

• Rapid Growth in DTC Sales:

  Within the first few months of launching the new site, iDry’s direct-to-consumer revenue grew significantly, quickly surpassing their other sales channels to become the largest source of income.

• Improved Customer Engagement:

  With direct access to consumers, iDry could better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, leading to improved product offerings and marketing strategies.

• Operational Efficiency:

  The integration of Shopify with iDry’s inventory and order management systems resulted in smoother day-to-day operations, reducing time spent on administrative tasks and allowing the team to focus on growth.

Overall, the new DTC channel opened up a world of opportunities for iDry, positioning them for long-term success in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

The Future

The Shopify and Remix Hydrogen setup is designed to grow with iDry. As they continue to expand their product range and explore new markets, the website will remain a central part of their strategy.

Looking ahead, iDry plans to further enhance the site’s functionality, including adding more advanced personalization features and expanding their digital marketing efforts. With their strong DTC foundation now in place, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing shift toward online shopping.

We remain a close partner with iDry, supporting them with ongoing improvements, maintenance, and future developments.