Saksooka — Premium
Saudi Men's Fashion
Magento 2
Platform
A full redesign and two-phase rebuild of a Saudi-based premium men's footwear and accessories brand — delivering OTP authentication, COD fraud prevention, HyperPay payment integration, Arabic/English multi-store, and a complete new architecture built for the Saudi market.
Overview
Saksooka.com is a Saudi-based premium men's fashion brand offering footwear, traditional wear, and accessories. The platform serves a bilingual audience (Arabic & English) and required a modern, scalable eCommerce solution tailored to Saudi Arabia's market expectations — from localized payments and RTL layout to fraud prevention and customer engagement.
The project was delivered in two phases, each with a distinct scope:
- Phase 1: Feature enhancement and redesign on the existing store — introducing OTP login, COD fraud prevention, HyperPay payment integration, and customer engagement systems
- Phase 2: Full platform rebuild from scratch with a brand-new UI architecture, integrating all Phase 1 features into a clean, scalable Magento 2 foundation
- Dual-storefront Arabic/English multi-store with full RTL support for the Arabic audience
- Complete Saudi payment ecosystem: Apple Pay, Mada, Visa/Mastercard, Postpay BNPL — all via HyperPay
- DHL shipping integration with real-time rates, free shipping thresholds, and COD fee handling
- Full analytics and tracking suite: Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel, Twitter Ads, Hotjar, Yandex Metrica
The Challenges
No OTP Authentication
The existing platform lacked OTP-based login and registration, creating friction in the customer onboarding flow and leaving accounts reliant on password-only access — a security concern for a growing Saudi audience.
- Passwordless login not available for customers
- No mobile or email verification at account creation
- Higher login abandonment and security risk
High COD Fraud & Unverified Orders
Cash-on-delivery orders were being placed without any verification step, leading to a high rate of fake or abandoned orders reaching fulfillment — wasting shipping resources and impacting revenue reliability.
- No confirmation flow for COD orders before dispatch
- Fake orders reaching the warehouse regularly
- Fulfillment costs wasted on unconfirmed shipments
Missing Localized Payment Methods
The store lacked the payment methods Saudi shoppers expect — Apple Pay, Mada (the dominant local debit network), and BNPL options. This directly limited conversion rates among mobile-first Saudi customers.
- No Apple Pay integration for mobile checkout
- Mada card network not supported
- No buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) option available
No Arabic RTL or Bilingual Structure
The platform served only English-speaking customers, with no Arabic language support or right-to-left layout — excluding a significant portion of the target Saudi market that prefers to shop in Arabic.
- No Arabic storefront or RTL layout available
- Single-language store limiting Saudi market reach
- No localized content or Arabic UX flows
No Customer Engagement Systems
The store had no mechanisms to recover lost sales or drive post-purchase engagement — no back-in-stock notifications to capture demand for sold-out products, and no automated flows to encourage reviews or repeat orders.
- No "notify me" feature for out-of-stock products
- No post-purchase SMS or WhatsApp automation
- No review encouragement or re-engagement flows
Poor Performance & Outdated Codebase
The existing platform suffered from slow load times, an unstable codebase, and an outdated UI that failed to meet modern eCommerce expectations — directly impacting bounce rates and conversion on mobile devices.
- Slow page load times across product and category pages
- Outdated UI not aligned with current design standards
- Unstable codebase requiring a full architectural rebuild
The core challenge was transforming an underperforming Magento store into a fully localized, fraud-resistant, and high-converting Saudi eCommerce platform — with proper bilingual support, local payments, customer engagement, and a clean architectural foundation to sustain future growth.
Our Solution
We delivered Saksooka's transformation in two phases — first enhancing and redesigning the existing store with critical features, then rebuilding the full platform from scratch with a clean architecture that brings everything together.
OTP Authentication System
We implemented a complete OTP-based login and registration system, replacing password-only access with a more secure and frictionless verification flow. Customers can now authenticate via mobile or email OTP — reducing login barriers while improving account security.
Customers can log in or register using a one-time password sent to their mobile number or email — no password required, reducing friction at account entry.
Both mobile number and email address are verified during registration, ensuring account authenticity and reducing the creation of fraudulent or unverifiable accounts.
The login and registration pages were fully redesigned around the OTP flow — with a cleaner UX, simplified form structure, and mobile-first layout aligned with the new store design.
COD Fraud Prevention System
A custom multi-channel verification flow was built to confirm customer intent before COD orders enter the fulfillment pipeline. Orders are verified through three channels — Email, SMS, and WhatsApp — within a 24-hour window, ensuring only confirmed orders move forward.
When a customer places a cash-on-delivery order, it enters a pending verification state — held from fulfillment until confirmation is received.
The system sends verification requests via Email, SMS, and WhatsApp — up to three attempts within 24 hours — giving customers multiple opportunities to confirm their order.
Only orders with a confirmed response proceed to warehouse fulfillment — eliminating fake, accidental, or fraudulent COD orders before shipping costs are incurred.
Orders with no confirmation after the verification window are automatically cancelled — releasing inventory and preventing wasted logistics spend.
Payment Integration — Saudi Market Ready
HyperPay was integrated as the payment gateway, enabling the full Saudi payment ecosystem through a single, secure integration. All methods are available within a localized checkout experience designed for the Saudi audience.
HyperPay serves as the unified payment gateway — handling all transaction routing, security, and regional compliance for the Saudi market. hyperpay.com
One-tap Apple Pay checkout enabled for mobile customers — the preferred payment method for a significant share of Saudi iPhone users.
Mada support added — the dominant local debit card network in Saudi Arabia, essential for reaching customers who primarily use local banking infrastructure.
International card payments supported alongside Postpay buy-now-pay-later — offering flexible installment options that improve conversion rates for higher-value orders.
Cart & Checkout Optimization
The cart and checkout pages were fully redesigned with a mobile-first approach, reducing friction in the purchase flow and improving conversion. Auto cart clearing was implemented to release unused inventory from abandoned sessions.
Cart and checkout pages rebuilt with a mobile-first UI, reflecting that the majority of Saudi shoppers access eCommerce from mobile devices.
Streamlined checkout steps, reduced form fields, and a cleaner UX path from cart to order confirmation — minimizing drop-off at each stage.
Abandoned carts are automatically cleared after a defined period — releasing reserved inventory back to available stock and preventing stockout situations for popular items.
DHL Shipping Integration
DHL was integrated to provide real-time shipping rates and accurate delivery estimates at checkout — with free shipping above a configurable threshold and proper COD fee handling built into the shipping calculation.
Live DHL shipping rates are calculated and displayed at checkout based on the customer's address — providing accurate delivery timelines before order placement.
Free shipping is automatically applied above a configurable order value. COD orders carry a separate fee that is added transparently at checkout.
Out-of-Stock Notification System
A "Notify Me" feature was added to out-of-stock product pages, allowing customers to register interest and receive an automated alert when the item is back in stock — recovering sales that would otherwise be lost to competitors.
Customers visiting an out-of-stock product see a "Notify Me" option — capturing their email or mobile number for automated re-stock alerts.
When inventory is restored, notification subscribers receive an automated alert — bringing interested customers back to the product at the moment of availability.
Post-Purchase Engagement Flow
An automated post-purchase communication sequence was implemented via SMS and WhatsApp, sent at 1h, 3h, and 6h after an order is placed — encouraging customers to leave reviews, share their experience, and return for their next purchase.
First touchpoint sent one hour post-purchase — confirming the order and opening the engagement loop with the customer.
Second message invites the customer to share their experience — directing them to leave a review while the purchase is fresh in their mind.
Final message in the sequence encourages return engagement — whether through related products, a discount, or a simple brand touchpoint to build loyalty.
Multi-Store Arabic / English
Two fully localized storefronts — Arabic and English — were built and managed from a single Magento 2 instance. The Arabic storefront includes full RTL layout support, ensuring Arabic-speaking customers have a native browsing experience.
Both the Arabic and English storefronts are managed from a single Magento backend — sharing products, inventory, and orders while maintaining separate language and layout configurations.
The Arabic store uses a proper right-to-left layout — with all UI components, navigation, product listings, and checkout pages rendered correctly for Arabic-reading customers.
Content, product descriptions, navigation labels, and customer communications are fully localized for each language — providing a native Arabic experience rather than a simple translation overlay.
Phase 2 — Full Platform Rebuild
Phase 2 was a complete rebuild from scratch — new UI, new architecture, and all Phase 1 features migrated into a clean, maintainable Magento 2 codebase. Every page was redesigned, a returns portal was added, and the platform was optimized for long-term scalability.
Home, product, category, cart, checkout, and account pages were all redesigned from scratch — with a premium, mobile-first design language aligned with the Saksooka brand.
All Phase 1 custom modules — OTP, COD verification, notification flows, payment integrations — were refactored and integrated into the new architecture cleanly, eliminating technical debt.
A structured returns portal was added with defined return policies — giving customers a clear, self-service process for returns and reducing pressure on customer support.
Full code cleanup, caching improvements, and asset optimization — delivering significantly faster load times and a more stable platform foundation for future growth.
System Architecture
The platform is built on a layered Magento 2 architecture, with custom modules handling OTP, COD verification, and notifications — connected to HyperPay for payments, DHL for shipping, a communication layer for SMS and WhatsApp, and a full multi-tool analytics stack.
Frontend — Custom Magento Theme
Responsive, mobile-first Magento 2 theme with full RTL support for the Arabic storefront — built from scratch in Phase 2 with a premium, brand-aligned design language.
Custom Modules — OTP & COD
Purpose-built Magento modules for OTP authentication and COD fraud verification — managing multi-channel communication flows and order state transitions.
Payments Layer — HyperPay
HyperPay as the unified gateway enabling Apple Pay, Mada, Visa/Mastercard, and Postpay BNPL — the complete Saudi payment ecosystem in a single checkout integration.
Communication Layer
SMS gateway and WhatsApp API powering COD verification, post-purchase engagement flows, and back-in-stock alerts — all triggered automatically by Magento events.
Shipping Layer — DHL
Real-time DHL shipping rates, delivery estimates, free shipping threshold logic, and COD fee handling — all surfaced transparently at the checkout shipping step.
Multi-Store — Arabic / English
Two storefronts managed from one Magento 2 instance — full RTL layout for Arabic, LTR for English — with shared catalog, inventory, and order management.
Analytics — 6-Tool Stack
Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, TikTok Pixel, Twitter Ads, Hotjar heatmaps, and Yandex Metrica — comprehensive data capture for performance tracking and optimization.
Data & Performance Layer
MySQL database with optimized caching, asset minification, and code cleanup — delivering faster load times and a stable, scalable foundation for future growth.
Results & Impact
COD fraud via multi-channel order verification
Saudi payment methods enabled
Full bilingual multi-store with RTL
Login experience with OTP authentication
Lost sales via back-in-stock alerts
Clean rebuild ready for future growth
Business Impact
COD fraud significantly reduced — multi-channel email, SMS, and WhatsApp verification ensures only confirmed orders reach the fulfillment pipeline, protecting shipping revenue
Full Saudi payment ecosystem live — Apple Pay, Mada, Visa/Mastercard, and Postpay BNPL covering every major payment method expected by Saudi shoppers
Seamless bilingual shopping experience — Arabic and English customers each have a fully localized storefront with proper RTL layout and native-language content
Back-in-stock alerts recover lost demand — customers who registered interest are brought back to products at the moment of availability, converting demand that would otherwise go to competitors
Post-purchase engagement flows drive reviews and repeat orders — automated WhatsApp and SMS sequences at 1h, 3h, and 6h build customer loyalty without manual effort
Scalable, clean platform foundation — the Phase 2 rebuild delivers a maintainable Magento 2 codebase with faster load times, stable performance, and a solid base for future feature development
Technology Stack
Final Outcome
Before
- Password-only login with no OTP or mobile verification
- Unverified COD orders reaching fulfillment with no fraud prevention
- No Apple Pay, Mada, or BNPL — missing the Saudi payment ecosystem
- English-only store with no Arabic language or RTL layout
- No customer engagement — no back-in-stock alerts, no post-purchase flows
- Poor performance and outdated UI on an unstable codebase
After
- OTP authentication with mobile and email verification at login and registration
- COD fraud eliminated with tripartite Email, SMS, and WhatsApp verification flow
- Full Saudi payment ecosystem — Apple Pay, Mada, cards, and Postpay BNPL via HyperPay
- Fully bilingual Arabic/English multi-store with proper RTL layout
- Back-in-stock alerts and automated WhatsApp/SMS post-purchase engagement flows
- Full Phase 2 rebuild — new UI, clean architecture, optimized performance, and a returns portal
Saksooka's transformation shows how a Magento platform can be fully localized, optimized, and rebuilt for a specific market. By combining modern UX, localized payments, fraud prevention, and post-purchase engagement, the platform now delivers a strong, conversion-focused shopping experience — with a scalable foundation purpose-built for Saudi Arabia's eCommerce expectations.
Planning to Launch or Scale Your Magento Store in the Middle East?
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Contact Us to Discuss Your ProjectFrequently Asked Questions
OTP (one-time password) authentication replaces or supplements traditional passwords with a verification code sent to a customer's mobile or email at the moment of login. This improves security by confirming access to a registered contact method — and simplifies the customer experience by removing the need to remember and manage passwords.
For Middle Eastern eCommerce, where mobile-first shopping is dominant, OTP login is particularly effective — reducing login friction on mobile devices while ensuring that account access remains tied to a verified contact channel.
Cash-on-delivery remains one of the most popular payment methods in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East — but it carries an inherent risk of fraudulent, accidental, or abandoned orders reaching the fulfillment pipeline. COD verification is a system that holds an order in pending status after placement and requires the customer to confirm their intent before the order is dispatched.
By sending verification requests through multiple channels — Email, SMS, and WhatsApp — the system gives customers several opportunities to confirm while ensuring only genuine orders move forward. This directly reduces wasted shipping costs, returned goods, and the operational burden of processing unconfirmed orders.
Saudi Arabia's eCommerce landscape has a distinct payment profile. Apple Pay has very high adoption among Saudi iPhone users and consistently delivers higher mobile conversion rates when enabled. Mada is the dominant local debit card network — used by a significant majority of Saudi bank account holders — and is essential for reaching customers who primarily bank locally.
Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options like Postpay are growing rapidly, particularly for higher-value purchases, allowing customers to split payments into installments. COD remains widely used in the region. International card support (Visa, Mastercard) is also necessary for broader coverage. Platforms like HyperPay provide a unified gateway that enables all of these methods through a single Saudi-compliant integration.
RTL (right-to-left) support refers to the ability of an eCommerce platform to correctly render its layout, navigation, text, and UI components for languages that read from right to left — such as Arabic and Hebrew. A proper RTL implementation goes beyond flipping text direction: it reverses the layout structure, repositions navigation elements, aligns form fields and buttons correctly, and ensures that the entire visual hierarchy is mirrored for RTL readers.
For an Arabic eCommerce audience, RTL support is not optional — a poorly implemented or absent RTL layout creates a confusing, unprofessional browsing experience that directly impacts trust and conversion rates. Magento 2 supports multi-store setups where an Arabic storefront can be configured with full RTL styling while sharing the same catalog and backend as an English LTR store.
Magento 2's multi-store architecture allows multiple storefronts — each with their own language, theme, pricing, and configuration — to operate from a single Magento installation and backend. This means a single admin panel manages both the Arabic and English storefronts: product updates, inventory changes, and order processing all happen in one place without duplicating data or managing two separate systems.
Each storefront can have its own domain or subdomain, its own theme (RTL for Arabic, LTR for English), its own language translations, and its own customer-facing configuration — while sharing the underlying product catalog, customer accounts, and order data. This makes the multi-store approach significantly more efficient to operate than maintaining two separate Magento installations.