6 Things You Need To Know About eCommerce

Commerce is changing. With the rise of eCommerce, more and more people are shopping online for everything from clothes to cars. But what is eCommerce? How does it work? And how can you get started? In this article, we’ll answer all those questions and more. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about eCommerce!

What is eCommerce?

eCommerce, short for electronic commerce, is the buying and selling of goods or services over an electronic system such as the internet. Since the rise of smartphones and tablets, more people than ever are purchasing items online. In fact, with statistics from 2014 showing that retail e-commerce sales reached $1.3 trillion worldwide, eCommerce is continuing to grow at a staggering rate. eCommerce platforms can be broken down into two main categories: business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B). B2C platforms allow consumers to purchase goods from an individual seller, while B2B involves companies purchasing items from one another. You should definitely consider outsourcing your company eCommerce fulfilment needs to a company that is able and qualified to do so. This ensures that you can focus on areas of business that require your more immediate and serious attention.

What are the different types of eCommerce platforms?

In addition to B2C and B2B, there are several other eCommerce platforms available: marketplace, cloud, social shopping and aggregators. Before choosing a platform to sell your items on, it’s important to understand the benefits of each type. Let’s take a look at them now:

• Marketplace eCommerce platforms allow users to sell items on the platform, while shoppers purchase products from individual sellers using the marketplace’s set up. Two of the most popular marketplaces available are eBay and Amazon.
• Cloud eCommerce platforms allow users to sell items online without owning their own website.
• Social shopping platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook are widely used for online shopping. Through social media, users can browse products via product pins or hashtags, viewing different options available on the marketplace.
• Aggregators are eCommerce platforms that aggregate products from different marketplaces, allowing shoppers to view all their options in one place instead of checking each individual marketplace’s site separately.

How do I start selling on eCommerce platforms?

Whether you’re planning to sell items via a marketplace, social shopping platform or an aggregator, there are several steps involved in getting started. Let’s take a look now. Picking the right eCommerce platform for your business is your first step. We talked about the different types of eCommerce platforms available, and how you can choose the right one for your business.

How do I make a purchase on an eCommerce platform?

Once you’ve decided which items you’d like to sell, set up listings for your products, and thoroughly describe each item, the final step is to get customers interested in what you’re selling. This can be done through marketing campaigns, ads online, and more. Once customers are browsing your shop, they’ll be able to make purchases by filling out a form with their name, email address, shipping address, and more. At this point, you’ll receive an order notification through the eCommerce platform. Now that your customer has ordered an item from you, it’s time for you to fulfil the order. You can either ship the product yourself or hire a shipping company. 

How do I ship an order through an eCommerce platform?

As we mentioned, different eCommerce platforms will allow you to print postage and label your package. This is often the most time-consuming option, as it requires you to purchase shipping materials and drop off your package at a post office or shipping location.

Is it worth it to outsource fulfilment?

As we mentioned briefly above, outsourcing certain aspects of your company’s eCommerce needs might benefit the success of your business. Outsourcing allows you to focus on areas of your company that require more immediate attention. It also means that you will not have to be concerned with the consistent and up-to-date training of staff in these sectors.  

eCommerce is growing rapidly and changing the way we shop. It’s important to be familiar with the basics before jumping in! We’ve talked about what eCommerce is, the different types of platforms available, how to make a purchase, and more. Whether you’re planning to sell items via a marketplace, social shopping platform, or an aggregator, there are several steps involved in getting started. Once you’ve decided which items you’d like to sell, set up listings for your products, and thoroughly describe each item, the final step is to get customers interested in what you’re selling. Once customers are browsing your shop, they’ll be able to make purchases by filling out a form with their name, email address, shipping address, and more.