Digital Platforms Key To Startup Growth
By Danni Haizal Danial Donald
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Digital platforms are a key element for start-up businesses to build resilience and drive sustainable growth, according to industry players.
Founder and chief executive officer of animation company, Durioo Sdn Bhd, Sinan Ismail said digital platforms could act as a research tool for start-ups, helping them to understand their target audience.
"Using digital platforms, businesses should spend time learning about customer journeys and digital funnels. Read research, watch videos and follow experts on LinkedIn, TikTok as well as YouTube.
"The more you understand the full journey from awareness to conversion, the better you can design meaningful touchpoints for your customer," he said.
He said this during a Knowledge Hub Power Talk titled 'Building Resilient Business Growth Through Branding and Digital Platform', held in conjunction with the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025.
The Power Talk is a new addition to the Knowledge Hub programme, featuring key speakers such as Grey Cafe founder Sid Murshid and Zus Coffee co-founder and chief operating officer Venon Tian.
Startups should also leverage the ‘other people traffic’ (OPT) strategy, where businesses can collaborate with brands or individuals who already have a huge number of followers, said Sinan.
"I believe OPT is something that every startup should explore. Take time to identify who these ‘other people’ are, understand which channels work best for your audience and focus on building strong relationships with them," he said.
Meanwhile, Tian said digital platforms also help businesses collect data, which plays a vital role in growing their business.
"For Zus Coffee, data plays a huge role in our business. Our app is a major channel as it allows us to gather enough data to identify and understand our most loyal customers.
"Beyond the app, other digital platforms provide different types of data, and even our retail presence contributes valuable insights. We combine these data to guide our decision-making," he said.
On developing brand awareness, Tian emphasised the need for businesses to focus on cost-efficient ways to grow instead of opting for expensive marketing.
"When Zus Coffee started in 2019, we didn’t spend on billboards or outdoor advertisements because we couldn’t track the returns effectively. Instead, we focused on cost-efficient, measurable strategies to grow.
"Now, four to five years later, after we have grown as a company, we have started investing in brand-building efforts like billboards and larger campaigns. These initiatives are less about immediate conversions and more about building long-term brand trust and visibility," he added.
Meanwhile, Sid shared that digital platforms have been pivotal in his journey as a business owner and a content creator, highlighting the significance of humanising content creation.
He said one of the most common mistakes businesses make, especially in the food industry, is being afraid to be bold or go off-script.
“Many brands hold back, but people connect more with authenticity than perfection. They want to see the product being used in real life.
“At the end of the day, I think the biggest mistake is being afraid to speak human. Every business, no matter what it sells, is ultimately selling to humans, not to computers,” added Sid.
-- BERNAMA