HNB enables a plug-and-play e-commerce revolution for businesses with launch of AppiGo

• Places affordable, end-to-end e-commerce within reach of small and medium businesses
• Launch expedited to support urgent requirement for e-commerce capabilities
• 15 popular restaurants and consumer products retailers onboard 2 weeks since launch
• Features free 15-minute registration process, nominal transaction costs, zero monthly/annual fees

Sri Lanka’s most digitally innovative bank, HNB PLC, announced the launch of AppiGo, a revolutionary platform which enables any business to rapidly establish end-to-end e-commerce capabilities with ease.

Developed in partnership with renowned software development specialists, hSenid, HNB AppiGo is designed to ensure that with just a few clicks, any business can set-up shop online – including personalised websites capable of capturing and fulfilling customer orders, and accepting online payments in addition to backend systems for tracking delivery, and even establishing customer loyalty programs.

“Sri Lanka’s shift to e-commerce was gaining steady momentum over recent years, however, with the outbreak of COVID-19, this demand has skyrocketed, leaving many small businesses and restaurants looking for digital solutions to help them navigate this challenging situation. Many have been forced to rely on social media platforms and WhatsApp to service customer orders.

“The expedited launch of AppiGo is therefore extremely timely, as it enables these businesses to completely streamline the entire processes – making their products more accessible to customers, while drastically easing their administrative burden. Our main goal moving forward is to provide easy access to any merchant who is looking to evolve their business into the e-commerce space at absolutely minimal cost,” HNB Deputy General Manager – Retail and SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne stated.

The bank has also taken measures to ensure that any merchant can register themselves to use the platform with complete ease. Any merchant seeking to use AppiGo must submit basic documentation online.

Once approved, the merchant can immediately begin customising their web portal with their logo, brand colours, product and price lists, and start capturing and fulfilling customer orders. The entire web customisation process is highly streamlined, and can be completed in just 15 minutes while the entire merchant web page is optimised to be adaptive and response on all devices. This enables merchants to start capturing and fulfilling customer orders securely and systematically while receiving payments through HNB.

The entire registration process and use of the platform itself is totally free-of-charge – with only a nominal transaction fee being levied.

Notably, the system is designed to be able to integrate with any merchant’s existing delivery services, while those who have not established delivery can also access third-party delivery services through AppiGo at an additional cost.