What is ecommerce? How to launch and grow your ecommerce

What is ecommerce?

Ecommerce, or “electronic commerce”, is the trading of goods and services on the Internet, a virtual marketplace that mirrors the bustling activity of city centers and brick-and-mortar stores, transformed into a realm of zeroes and ones on the ever-expanding internet superhighway. As of 2023, an estimated 2.14 billion people worldwide actively shopped online, seeking diverse products and services. In India, the number of Prime members shopping across Amazon, Flipkart, and AJIO has surged to a staggering 230 million, demonstrating the widespread adoption of ecommerce among Indian consumers.

Ecommerce has emerged as a transformative force in retail, revolutionizing how people buy and sell goods. While some companies operate exclusively online, others seamlessly integrate ecommerce into their broader business strategies, complementing their physical stores and other distribution channels. This versatile approach empowers startups, small businesses, and large corporations alike to expand their reach, transcend geographical boundaries, and connect with a global customer base. Through the power of ecommerce, businesses can effectively manage their inventory, streamline customer interactions, and gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, all while delivering a seamless shopping experience for their customers.

What is an ecommerce website?

An ecommerce website serves as your virtual storefront on the internet, enabling seamless transactions between buyers and sellers. It’s the digital space where you showcase your products or services, allowing online customers to browse, select, and purchase them. Your website functions as your online business’s product shelves, sales staff, and cash register.

Businesses can either create a branded store experience on a platform like Flipkart, Amazon, AJIO, Myntra, or NYKAA, build their dedicated ecommerce website, or employ a multi-channel approach that combines both strategies.

What is an ecommerce business?

An online retail business, often known as an e-commerce venture, facilitates the exchange of goods or services through the Internet. These businesses leverage digital platforms to expand their reach to a wider audience and ensure seamless online transactions. Ecommerce businesses encompass various industries, including software development, apparel, consumer goods, and web design services. Entrepreneurs can establish their e-commerce presence by creating a dedicated website or leveraging various online channels like social media platforms and email marketing. This enables them to broaden their outreach and boost sales effectively.

How does ecommerce work?

Ecommerce seamlessly connects buyers and sellers through various digital channels. A user-friendly website or social media presence serves as a virtual storefront, showcasing products and services to potential customers. A secure payment gateway facilitates the exchange of goods or services, protecting sensitive financial information. Once the transaction is complete, the customer receives an instant confirmation email or SMS and a printable receipt for their records.

The vendor expertly handles physical product orders, guaranteeing meticulous packaging and timely delivery through a reputable courier. Customers receive a tracking number via email or SMS, allowing them to monitor the shipment’s progress until it arrives at their doorstep. For service-based transactions, the service provider promptly contacts the customer to schedule and complete the agreed-upon service, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

Steps to Starting an ecommerce business?

Launching an ecommerce business involves tailored steps based on your offerings. If your focus is on services, you can sidestep inventory concerns. However, for product-centric ventures, inventory management and fulfillment become pivotal.

Kickstart your journey with these steps:

1. Research potential business ideas
2. Validate demand for your chosen products
3. Establish your sales and shipping methods
4. Identify reliable suppliers and manufacturers
5. Opt for online channels (e.g., an Amazon, Meesho, Flipkart, AJIO, Myntra, and Reliance Digital)
6. Develop a website or online storefront and showcase your products
7. Strategize your fulfillment approach
8. Initiate promotional efforts to attract customers

Refer to this resource for a comprehensive guide on starting your ecommerce business.

What are the types of ecommerce?

E-commerce manifests in diverse forms, reflecting the myriad ways people shop online.

Key business models shaping the e-commerce landscape include:

1. B2C (Business to Consumer): Direct sales from businesses to individual consumers, the most prevalent model with numerous variations.
2. B2B (Business to Business): Businesses sell products or services to other businesses, often with the buyer reselling to end consumers.
3. C2B (Consumer to Business): Empowering consumers to sell products or services to businesses, creating a unique dynamic.
4. C2C (Consumer to Consumer): Facilitated by online marketplaces, consumers sell directly to other consumers, fostering a connected marketplace.
5. B2G (Business to Government): Businesses sell with governments or government agencies.
6. C2G (Consumer to Government): Consumers directly sell products or services to governments or government agencies.
7. G2B (Government to Business): Governments or government agencies sell products or services to businesses.
8. G2C (Government to Consumer): Governments or government agencies directly engage in sales with individual consumers.

Where and how does ecommerce take place?

The landscape of online shopping undergoes constant evolution. Consumers now purchase using computers, phones, tablets, and various devices. They engage with websites, explore social media platforms, and actively participate in flourishing virtual channels. Below, we provide an overview of three unique methods shaping the landscape of contemporary ecommerce.

M-commerce

E-commerce on mobile devices is called “mobile commerce” or “m-commerce.” With the prevalence of handheld devices globally, it’s projected that m-commerce will contribute to over 43% of total retail ecommerce sales in 2023, a nearly 2% increase from 2022.

Many individuals perform product research and online shopping on their mobile phones. This ongoing trend emphasizes optimizing your online store for mobile use.

Enterprise ecommerce

Enterprise ecommerce involves the sale of products to large corporations or organizations. When a sizable business dealing in diverse products or operating various brand lines transitions to online sales, it becomes actively engaged in enterprise ecommerce.

Social media ecommerce

Leveraging social media is instrumental in marketing and promoting ecommerce stores to a vast audience. Social media, like connecting with friends and family, can draw customers to your business. When executed effectively, social media marketing fosters customer engagement in a casual environment.

Benefits of utilizing social media include

1. Attracting new customers
2. Building brand awareness
3. Generating online sales

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ecommerce?

Similar to any sales approach, ecommerce presents both advantages and challenges. Is it the right fit for your business? That depends on your business objectives, target audience, and other factors. Here’s a breakdown:

Global Ecommerce Benefits:

1. Rapid Growth: The global e-commerce market is projected to hit $5.5 trillion by 2027, with over 2.14 billion people making online purchases in 2022, and is expected to grow to 2.91 billion by 2025.
2. Global Marketing Reach: Ecommerce enables businesses to connect with customers worldwide through the internet and social media.
3. Ordering Ease: Customers can effortlessly browse and buy products from anywhere globally, comparing prices and reading reviews with just a few clicks.
4. Lower Operating Costs: Ecommerce businesses typically have lower operating costs than brick-and-mortar stores, avoiding expenses like rent, utilities, or a sales team.
5. Direct-to-Consumer Access: Ecommerce allows businesses to establish direct customer relationships, collecting valuable data for improved marketing and product development.

Indian Ecommerce Benefits:

1. Rapid Growth: The Indian e-commerce sector is poised to hit $350 billion by 2025, fueled by the surge in internet usage, higher disposable incomes, and the expanding middle class.
2. Large Customer Base: India boasts the world’s second-largest internet user base, exceeding 829 million users, providing significant potential for ecommerce businesses.
3. Mobile-First Economy: With over 700 million mobile internet users, India is a mobile-first economy, emphasizing the need for a mobile-friendly website and app for ecommerce businesses.
4. Government Support: The Indian government supports e-commerce growth, launching initiatives like the Digital India program.

Considerations for Small Businesses:

For small business owners venturing into ecommerce, consider:

1. Business Goals: Define your e-commerce objectives, whether they are increasing sales, reaching new customers, or building brand awareness.
2. Intended Audience: Understand your target audience’s needs, wants, and preferences.
3. Resources: Assess if you have the time, funds, and expertise to initiate and sustain an ecommerce business.

Challenges of ecommerce

E-commerce may pose challenges for some businesses, such as:

1. Limited Face-to-Face Interaction:
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     Online spaces may limit conveying your personality.

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     Maintain authenticity by emphasizing your brand story.

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     Alternatively, communicating via email or phone can be advantageous.

2. Technical Difficulties:
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     Tech issues can impact sales and cost time and money.

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     Regularly back up data and consider established platforms like Amazon for a reliable technical infrastructure.

3. Data Security Concerns:
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     Customer trust is essential; clarify your privacy policy.

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     Secure payment processing services are crucial to safeguard customer data.

4. Shipping and Fulfillment at Scale:
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     Growing businesses face challenges in timely order fulfillment.

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     Services like Fulfillment by Amazon, Meesho, Flipkart, AJIO, NYKAA, and Reliance Digital can ease the strain and maintain customer satisfaction.

Addressing these challenges strategically ensures a smoother e-commerce experience for businesses and customers.

What makes an ecommerce store successful?

Building a thriving ecommerce business involves several crucial elements. To ensure success, prioritize your product and target audience. Craft a compelling brand story and focus on optimizing your store’s user experience. Streamlining your fulfillment process for timely product delivery enhances customer satisfaction. Let’s delve into the details of each essential component:

1. Exceptional products: Ensure your online brand offers high-quality, reliable products that address customer needs. Price your products competitively after conducting market research.
2. Compelling brand story: Go beyond great products; create a unique brand with a clear purpose and vision. Communicate why your business exists and how it improves customers’ lives. Develop a visually appealing brand that reflects your business’s origin and mission.
3. Customer-centric approach: Uncover your ideal audience to cultivate loyal customers. Craft targeted marketing campaigns that speak to your specific demographic. As your business flourishes, prioritize engaging an audience that mirrors your brand narrative.
4. User-friendly online experience: Optimize your online store for a seamless user experience. A well-designed interface simplifies the purchasing process, preventing cart abandonment. Streamline the checkout process, ensuring an intuitive and straightforward experience for customers.
5. Timely order fulfillment: Prioritize speed and efficiency in delivering products to customers. The fulfillment process, encompassing product sourcing, order packaging, returns handling, and customer communication, plays a crucial role. Pay close attention to maintaining an efficient fulfillment process, even during peak seasons.

How Flipkart, Amazon, AJIO, and Reliance Digital grew their ecommerce business in India

Flipkart, Amazon, AJIO, and Reliance have emerged as the frontrunners in India’s burgeoning ecommerce landscape, each employing distinct strategies to capture market share.

Flipkart, India’s homegrown ecommerce giant, pioneered the concept of cash-on-delivery, catering to the country’s preference for physical transactions. Amazon, the global ecommerce behemoth, leveraged its vast resources and brand recognition to establish a strong foothold. AJIO, Reliance’s fashion-focused venture, targeted the growing demand for premium apparel and lifestyle products. Reliance, the Indian conglomerate, capitalized on its extensive brick-and-mortar presence to seamlessly integrate online and offline retail experiences.

These ecommerce giants have consistently adapted to the evolving needs of Indian consumers, expanding their product offerings, enhancing user experience, and strengthening their logistics infrastructure. Their success is a testament to the transformative power of ecommerce in India’s dynamic consumer market.

Ecommerce trends and statistics

Global Trends

1. Rapid growth: The global ecommerce market is expected to reach $6.3 trillion in 2023.
2. Mobile shopping: Over 70% of all retail website visits worldwide are now made from smartphones.
3. Social commerce: Social media emerges as a powerful driver of online commerce. Explore how social platforms revolutionize the way we shop.
4. Voice shopping: Voice shopping is on the rise, with over 30% of US adults using voice assistants to make purchases.
5. Personalization: E-commerce businesses use data to personalize the shopping experience for their customers.

India-Specific Trends

1. Mobile-first: India is a mobile-first economy, with over 700 million mobile internet users.
2. Regional languages: Ecommerce businesses are increasingly offering support in regional languages.
3. Cash on delivery (COD): Cash on delivery remains the dominant payment method in India’s e-commerce landscape.
4. Tier-2 and tier-3 cities: Ecommerce is growing rapidly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India.

Statistics

1. Global:
   
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     In 2023, the global online shopping landscape reached new heights, with over 2.64 billion people making online purchases.

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     The average order value (AOV) for global ecommerce orders is $134.50.

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     The conversion rate for global ecommerce orders is 2.02%.

2. India:
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     Over 829 million people in India use the internet.

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     India’s ecommerce industry is projected to surge to a staggering $350 billion by 2025.

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     The AOV for Indian ecommerce orders is $63.80.

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     The conversion rate for Indian ecommerce orders is 1.2%.

Launching and growing your ecommerce business in India

FAQ’s

What is ecommerce?

Ecommerce, short for electronic commerce, is the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet. It encompasses various activities, from purchasing physical products to subscribing to digital services. Ecommerce has revolutionized how we shop, providing convenience, access to a vast global marketplace, and personalized shopping experiences.

What is an ecommerce business?

An ecommerce business is an enterprise that operates primarily or entirely online, selling products or services to customers through a website or digital storefront. They utilize digital marketing strategies, payment gateways, and fulfillment processes to deliver goods and services to customers worldwide. Ecommerce businesses can be small startups or large established brands.

What is ecommerce marketing?

Ecommerce marketing encompasses a variety of strategies designed to attract, engage, and convert online shoppers. It includes techniques like social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. In the dynamic realm of eCommerce, strategic marketing plays a pivotal role in connecting businesses with their intended audience, propelling website traffic, and ultimately, driving sales.

When are people shopping online the most?

Online shopping tends to peak during specific times of the week and year. Early Mondays and Thursdays, between 8 PM and 9 PM, are often festive seasons, Marriage seasons, and holidays, such as Prime Day, BIG BILLION DAYS, Great Indian Festival, Freedom sales, Year End sales, Christmas sales, Diwali sales, and Cyber Monday, also see significant surges in online shopping activity.

How many purchases are made online each year?

The global ecommerce market is vast and growing at an accelerated pace. In 2023, online sales are projected to surpass $6 trillion, representing 22% of retail sales. Over 2.14 billion people worldwide make purchases online, and this number continues to rise.

Is ecommerce still growing?

Ecommerce is experiencing continuous growth, fueled by increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and evolving consumer preferences. Online shopping offers convenience, personalized recommendations, and access to a global marketplace, driving its popularity and growth trajectory.