Island Hustle: How to generate sales heat in the Dominican paradise

Digital Nomad Weekly: Issue #01

Living the dream as a digital nomad in the Dominican Republic is the stuff Instagram posts are made of–pristine beaches, tropical vibes, endless sunshine.

But… eventually, most of us want to see that dream turn into a reality: a profitable one. Whether you’re selling handcrafted souvenirs online or offering remote marketing expertise, demand generation, and closing sales are crucial for long-term success.

The Dominican Republic’s e-commerce market is developing, led by its growing mobile-first population and higher digital engagement. The good news is that this emerging market presents major opportunities for early adopters. Be prepared to offer cash-on-delivery options or local payment methods like bank transfers, as many Dominicans prefer these over credit cards. Shipping costs can also be high, so finding local fulfillment partners may help reduce expenses.

Here’s how to turn your island hustle into a revenue machine while you soak up the Caribbean sun: using these insights from RevOps Science®.

1. Know Your Isla Audience

Success starts with knowing who you’re selling to. Take time to research Dominican consumer trends to understand what your target market wants–and what they don’t. For example:

• What products and/or services do they buy? Tourism experiences and handcrafted goods thrive in the tourist market, while tech solutions and affordable everyday products (like mobile accessories or clothing) appeal more to Dominican consumers.
• Are there cultural nuances to consider in your marketing approach? Dominican buyers often value trust, authenticity, and personal connections. There are several ways you can address this, such as offering transparent policies or quick responses via WhatsApp.

You can use tools like Google Trends to understand search patterns and identify local keywords. Statista is good for high-level insights into regional consumer behavior, e-commerce trends, and preferred products.

You can also use Amazon and Mercado Libre for the Dominican Republic. These resources can help you analyze the bestsellers in Dominican-specific categories. This is another good way to see local purchasing habits.

2. Localize Your Online Presence, Don’t Just Translate 

Throwing your website into Google Translate isn’t enough. Dominicanize it: Think platanos not tacos.  Dominican Spanish, for example, is a vibrant and unique dialect; learn the lingo.

Embrace the vibrant Dominican culture in your visuals and messaging. Partner with local influencers to appeal directly to your target market, whether that’s tourists, urban Dominicans, or niche communities.

Remember, the Dominican market puts a lot of emphasis on authenticity, so invest in building real relationships with your audience. That personal touch is a must!

3. Embrace the BOOM 

Let’s face it, entrepreneuring can be overwhelming. You have to generate demand and sell to succeed, but they don’t just happen–they’re the result of a strategic system.

This is why I designed B.O.O.M: Begin, Operate, Obviate, and Maximize. This data-driven framework keeps you focused and efficient, so every action drives revenue. Here’s how it works:

• Begin: Develop a strong, data-backed revenue growth strategy armed with clear goals and in depth market research.
• Operate: Take your startup into the market with actions that are aimed directly at driving lasting revenue.
• Obviate: Remove bottlenecks in your processes, from slow-loading websites to clunky checkout experiences.
• Maximize: Double down on what’s working and expand your reach through partnerships or paid ads.

What does B.O.O.M look like in practice? If you’re putting out a social media campaign, you should be able to track how it leads to revenue. If you develop a blog post, how does it lead to revenue?

If you’re running WhatsApp campaigns in the name of startup growth, you want to answer that question: how does it lead to revenue?

If you can’t answer that question, it’s either the wrong action at this time, or you’re missing connections.

4. Think Mobile-First

Dominicans are a mobile-savvy bunch; it’s the primary way people get online. If your online presence isn’t optimized for smartphones, you’re leaving money on the table. This means user-friendly design, fast loading times, and easy-to-navigate interfaces.

It also means making essentials, like the checkout, as painless an experience as possible. Use clear CTAs that are easy to follow.

And, lean into WhatsApp for customer communications as a preferred platform. For example, use WhatsApp Business to send automated messages, provide customer service, and share catalogs directly with customers–all methods widely used in the DR.

5. Leverage Local Partnerships

When you build relationships with local businesses, you expand your reach and create win-win opportunities. For example, you might develop revenue-sharing agreements with artisans to sell unique Dominican products within your online store, or commission-based arrangements with local tourism agencies to cross-promote your services.

These kinds of partnerships provide your partner with increased online exposure while providing you with local merchandise. Combine this with developing more authentic, personal relationships that are so much more prevalent in the DR, and you have a recipe for success.

The Dominican Republic is more than a tropical paradise–it’s a blossoming marketplace for savvy digital nomads. There’s more than enough room in this growing economy for expats (as well as local professionals) with the entrepreneurial itch to succeed. You just have to remember the top question to ask when it comes to anything you do with your startup: does this lead to revenue?

So go ahead: soak up the sun, embrace the culture, and grow your startup. The Dominican hustle is real, and with the right approach, it pays.

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Jonathan J. Mentor is a renowned revenue scientist, growth strategist, and advocate for underrepresented startups. As the Founder & CEO of Successment he’s revolutionized the way startups approach recurring revenue through RevOps Science(R). In 2024, Successment’s #ProvokeVisibility Campaign was nominated for the United Nations World Summit Awards.