Case study

1-800-D2C story: 500+ tools, one perfect platform

About project

1-800-D2C set out to bring order to the chaos of direct-to-consumer tools - creating a single catalog where brands could discover, compare, and connect with verified partners faster than ever.

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Challenge

too many tools, too little clarity

D2C founders face a paradox: thousands of tools promise growth, but no reliable system exists to validate or compare them.

Speed was critical - the platform had to launch fast, scale easily, and feel premium despite using a no-code stack.

At the same time, brands were drowning in options, spending weeks researching instead of building; the most valuable reviews and insights needed to be gated behind a smooth, non-intrusive membership flow; and the entire platform had to be live in a matter of weeks rather than the usual 6-12 months of custom development.

country

Industry

services

feedback

"500+ tools, zero backend headaches. No-code can feel just as premium as custom development."

Marina Doroshenko

Chief Business Development Officer

Research & Insights

smart structure over complex code

We analyzed user journeys to balance open access with premium gated content.

The stack combined Webflow for design, Memberstack for memberships, and Airtable for managing 500+ verified tools - delivering flexibility without writing a single line of code ⚙️

We also introduced Make automation scenarios to streamline subscription provisioning, tool permissions, content submissions, and internal notifications - reducing manual work and ensuring real-time data consistency across the platform.

Solutions

tech stack

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Implementation

a no-code architecture built for scale, speed & simplicity

We transformed the concept into a polished, fully functional platform in just six weeks ✨.

Webflow foundation. We built a sleek, performance-optimized platform in Webflow that feels like a custom product rather than a standard no-code website. Fast, lightweight, and structured for clear browsing.

Memberstack user system. We integrated Memberstack to deliver a frictionless authentication system and content gating model:

basic catalog available publicly
premium insights unlocked after registration
seamless membership flows without breaking exploration

Airtable backend. With 500+ cataloged tools and services, the platform needed a CMS that was easy to maintain. Airtable powers the entire database - enabling fast updates, category management, and internal moderation.

Smart content-gating strategy. Instead of blocking everything behind a login, we allowed users to browse freely before introducing premium content. This approach boosted conversions and kept the user experience friendly rather than restrictive.

Make automation layer. We implemented automated flows via Make to manage subscription activation, plan upgrades/downgrades, permissions, content submissions, media uploads, and internal team notifications. This eliminated manual moderation, ensured instant provisioning, and kept Webflow/Memberstack data fully synchronized.

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outcome

from idea to industry standard in record time

Launch success

What could have taken 6-12 months with custom development was launched in 6 weeks. The 1-800-D2C platform went live with full functionality, responsive design, and a content management system that the team could use independently from day one.

User engagement achievement

The gated content strategy worked brilliantly. Users weren't annoyed by registration requirements – they were excited about accessing exclusive insights. Premium membership conversions exceeded expectations because the value proposition was crystal clear.

Scalability without headaches

As the platform grew, new services, categories, and content types were added through simple CMS updates rather than development sprints. The team gained the freedom to respond to market needs in real-time 📈.

Automations built in Make ensured that scaling user roles, media uploads, and content submissions required zero manual work - allowing the platform to grow without adding operational overhead.

500+, verified D2C tools and services cataloged

6, weeks from concept to full platform launch

100%, independent content management capability