Sovendus stood out because of two things: timing and context.

As Thijs recalls:

"Initially, we were curious to see how effective the post-purchase environment would be as an acquisition channel. It is a different approach compared to more traditional channels, because the consumer is not actively searching for our brand at that moment."

It was only once the results came in that the team saw the timing as a genuine strength, especially for a product category like smartphone accessories, where a well-timed discount can easily turn into an additional purchase.

Scaling across three markets

The partnership began in the Netherlands, where Smartphonehoesjes.nl already had strong brand awareness and a mature e-commerce setup. Once the channel proved it could deliver relevant traffic and conversions, the team expanded into Germany and France.

The expansion worked because the concept translates easily across markets. After completing a purchase at another web shop, consumers get the chance to benefit from a discount at Smartphonehoesjes, Handyhuellen or Coquedetelephone, which makes the model easy to understand everywhere.

The partnership has not just lasted, it has grown. Voucher redemptions increased by 22.5% between 2021 and 2025.

What makes it work 

Three factors have kept this partnership strong for six years: 

• A clear and attractive offer. The discount needs to be easy to understand and the landing page needs to match what the offer promises. 

• A relevant product category. Nearly every online shopper owns a smartphone, so the offer speaks to a broad audience. 

• A scalable environment. Sovendus gives Smartphonehoesjes access to consumers who are already active in e-commerce, across multiple countries. 

One channel among many 

Thijs is upfront about their acquisition strategy:

"We use a mix of acquisition channels, including paid search, organic search, affiliate marketing, email, social media and partnerships. Each channel has its own role in the customer journey."

Sovendus earned its place in that mix the same way any channel does, by proving it delivers. Thijs does not share exact numbers on how much Sovendus contributes to revenue. What he does confirm is that it has been a valuable and consistent part of the strategy for six years running.

What makes Sovendus different is the moment it captures. No other channel in the mix reaches a shopper seconds after they have finished paying somewhere else. That specific role is why it has stayed in the plan for six years running.

Looking ahead 

Thijs's advice to other brands considering Sovendus is grounded:

"I would recommend testing Sovendus, especially if your product category is relevant to a broad consumer audience and if you can offer a clear incentive, such as a discount code or special offer."

For Smartphonehoesjes, that testing turned into six years of results across three markets, where Sovendus earned a permanent seat at the table.