Solopreneur to Bazaari: Ali's Journey to Building a Platform for Simplified E-Commerce

Ali Zaid, founder of Bazaari.io and co-founder at 20THLETTER, isn’t your typical tech founder. He began his software journey in 2021, building multiple products that each taught him valuable lessons.

The idea for Bazaari came when Ali saw family members struggling to set up a simple e-commerce store.

Shopify, while powerful, felt overly complicated for his brother and cousin, who just wanted to sell t-shirts. This sparked a lightbulb moment: Ali decided to create a platform focused on simplicity and accessibility, so anyone could launch an online store without technical hassle.

Conversations with potential users only reinforced the idea, revealing a clear need for an easy-to-use e-commerce solution.

Building Bazaari was relatively straightforward, thanks to his prior experience, but growth posed a challenge. Ali balanced his full-time job with 14-hour days dedicated to Bazaari, pushing himself to make it a success. "Growth is where many products fail, but I’m committed to push through," he explains.

For Ali, Bazaari wasn’t just about creating another online platform; it was about giving people the chance to start selling with ease. His goal was simple: take the stress out of e-commerce, making it accessible to anyone, regardless of technical knowledge. “Sellers often face too many steps just to get started,” he says.

Bazaari is designed to let sellers skip the tech setup and dive straight into selling.

How Bazaari Stands Out from the Crowd

Many platforms claim simplicity but require users to learn complex processes or manage technical aspects. Bazaari streamlines everything, from setup to dashboard navigation, so users can create and launch stores in minutes.

With minimal steps and no need for specialised training, Ali’s platform is all about getting products in front of customers quickly.

Since its launch, Bazaari has received positive feedback from users, like M. Israr, a top seller, who found the platform "incredibly easy to use." Frey Loong appreciated the platform's SEO optimisation, while Sofia Sergeevna recommended it as an intuitive solution for new sellers.

For Ali, these responses are what keep him motivated. He recalls an unforgettable moment just four days after launch, with 8,000 people visiting the landing page at once. For a self-hosted project, it was both nerve-wracking and thrilling.

Ali has ambitious plans for Bazaari. New features like order management, analytics, and digital product listings are on the way. Bazaari will also offer more branding options and explore AI integrations, enhancing the platform for users while keeping it user-friendly.

By 2030, Ali envisions Bazaari as a leading e-commerce platform that anyone can pick up, empowering thousands to start and grow their businesses online.

Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those thinking about building their own tech products, Ali’s advice is simple: “Just do it, just build it, just launch it.” His strategy emphasises validating ideas with real users. “If I build this platform, would you use it?”

This direct approach helped Ali focus on what users truly needed and built excitement for Bazaari even before launch.

Through Bazaari, Ali Zaid is reshaping e-commerce, making it accessible for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced sellers. His journey shows that with a clear vision and a drive to learn, founders can build something that cuts through the noise, even in a packed market.