DTC is changing fast, and all signs point towards a rapidly cooling, post-pandemic market correction. In reality, eCommerce is growing every day. And by the end of 2024, is projected to reach a whopping $6.3tn with
of that revenue share in U.S. DTC markets alone.
We can’t talk about stalled growth in DTC without talking about astronomical customer acquisition costs. Apple’s IOS 14.5 update made it much harder for DTC brands to advertise effectively across social platforms. You’re likely paying more per customer than you ever have.
DTC has always been a space for scrappy self-starters. Now, however, it's more competitive than ever. With supply chain issues no longer a barrier to entry, viral new brands are emerging at an unprecedented rate. At the same time, big-name wholesale retailers are expanding their DTC channels and further squeezing the market. Today, there's very little elbow room in DTC.
Current macroeconomic conditions, like the rise in inflation, have led to major increases in the costs of production and consumer goods. As a result, consumers are shopping consciously, choosing to buy solely from the most trusted and well-positioned brands.
Astronomically high CACs, intensified competition, rising inflation, and a post-boom market have left many wondering…
Is DTC dead?
We don't think so. But it is evolving…
Today, all the trademark benefits of DTC still exist:
But the old DTC playbook that’s been followed for years is not up-to-date on the rules of the game anymore. Brands will need to pivot towards a different way of working. A different kind of partnership.
At Anatta, we believe that a traditional agency model is not equipped to help a DTC brand evolve, adapt, and grow in a changing market.
key shift #1
Instead, Anatta offers a retainer model so that our teams are empowered to focus on your long-term goals and fast-changing needs. If your goal is higher LTV, we’re pivoting all our focus to learning where customers churn. If your goal is profitability, we’re digging deep to find needle-moving CRO opportunities.
STORY OF HOW
key shift #2
Anatta teams are dedicated only. By not splitting our staff, we’re able to immerse ourselves in your business every single day. We wake up with your brand on our minds, and we go to sleep thinking of new ways to help you level up. Our nimble flexibility allows us to adapt to your evolving needs. Our deep experience helps us uncover opportunities for growth. Our undivided attention ensures that every detail gets the full attention it deserves.
STORY OF HOW
key shift #3
At Anatta, we take a collaborative approach with our partner brands. We join internal meetings when needed. We’re part of business conversations and KPI reviews. We’re also available in your Slack. And if there’s an emergency, we’re working right beside you in the trenches to get it resolved. Because when something’s urgent for you, it’s urgent for us.
STORY OF HOW
Anatta partnerships are structured to provide your business with dedicated team members, bespoke strategy, and eCommerce expertise.
In Anatta partnerships, you aren’t taking on the challenges of a changing DTC alone. You always have a partner in your corner for experienced eCommerce support, confidence-inspiring guidance, and next-level tech solutions.
Strategic Guidance
Anatta's senior leadership team joins in on strategy and kickoff calls, and is always available to you for support. Throughout your entire partnership with Anatta, you’ll have an informed, outside perspective to help steer your brand in the best direction.
With 10+ years of DTC experience, Anatta's leaders have played a key role in leading more than one company acquisition — Rothy's, Molekule, and SmartyPants Vitamins, to name just a few.
“We never get ‘no,’ but we get pushback. And I love that because ‘no’ is a barrier. Whereas pushback let's us have a discussion. ‘Are you thinking about it the right way?’ And that's the level of partnership we hadn't had in the past. It’s one of the reasons this has been successful.”
Cezanne Huq
Senior Director of Product Management
Tech Stack Expertise
Your website should be able to scale with your growth. Anatta builds and optimizes custom tech solutions for long-term stability, performance, and scalability. We aren't just slapping a bandaid on your tech challenges and calling it 'good.'
Our solutions deliver continuous value and reliability for years to come. That way, you and your team can focus on what you do best without the added stress of tech.
“Technology was something we worried about before partnering with Anatta. It was the right move to work with them because they’re enabling us to scale. We’d be ripping at the seams if we hadn’t. They’ve been a great working partner.”
Dave Chernow
Cofounder
User-Centric eCommerce Design
Success in DTC is all about understanding your customers, and their needs. Anatta’s Baymard-Certifed UX Team designs frictionless user journeys that delight store visitors and drive leading KPIs. From intuitive website navigation to effortless checkout experiences — we’ll clear any obstacles that stand between your customers and your products.
“We went through a website retheme and saw incredible growth in terms of our eCommerce conversion rate. We went from 4% to 6%, which is insane in the eCommerce industry, which also helped improve our customer acquisition cost by almost half.”
Tran Ngo
Senior Director of Integrated Marketing and eCommerce
“There was a multiple times increase in terms of our output of what we did in the year prior to partnering with Anatta. So much so it broke internal records. We've never experienced this kind of output, ever, in the history of Dollar Shave Club. And that's all because of the working relationship we had with Anatta and the willingness of Anatta’s team to get things done."
Kevin Sakamoto, Dollar Shave Club
Senior Director of Product Management
“Working with Anatta does not feel like outsourcing. They really feel like they’re part of your team, just not physically in your office… What we liked about Anatta was the way they’re packaged. Overnight, we went from zero to 60. Anatta provided us with a full-blown team of front-end developers, back-end developers, QA people, project managers, designers. They had the whole team ready to go.”
Charley Moore, Mack Weldon
Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations
“I had the opportunity to work with Anatta in the past. I knew that they were the only team I wanted to work with because they bring a UX-driven approach. There are so many agencies that love to pitch beautiful sites with all the bells and whistles, but at the end of the day, it just detracts from the sale. So I wanted a sexy site that also converted and accomplished our goals.”
Eleah Portillo, Smartypants Vitamins
Direct to Consumer Marketing Director
“Anatta is a dedicated team that cares a lot. They’re going to help you think through what you need as a business and not just replicate something that they've done in a plug-and-play manner. With Nirav, I always felt like I had somebody who I could call at any point and get a response. They’re an agency—a partner—that I felt could really be an extension of my team.”
Matt Gehring, Rothy’s
Senior Vice President of Growth Marketing
“I really enjoy working with the Anatta team. Over time, I have found it to be very similar to having an in-house team… Anatta has helped us make some good choices from a tech stack standpoint—like headless CMS or taking a server-driven approach to backend.”
Sushni Tumu, AG1
Vice President of Product
“Anatta is truly a professional web agency that's all-encompassing. They can do everything from user experience to A/B test, to getting your site functional, to really taking your site to that next level. Anatta will take your website essentially from any stage to that next top level.”
Daniel James, Aventon Bikes
Director of Technology
Since 2008, my team and I have had the opportunity and privilege to work alongside inspiring entrepreneurs and DTC leaders. And in that time, our team has built some of the fastest, most engaging storefronts in eCommerce — backed by data-driven insights and our many years of experience.
Whether you’re looking for support on your next roadmap, or you just aren’t 100% sure what direction to head next, don’t hesitate to reach out. Send over your email address, and we can chat about your business, project, or future goals. All at no cost or obligation to you.