Ecommerce sales generate about $1.2 million around the world every 30 seconds. In case that didn’t sink in, let us repeat it: in the time it takes you to tie your shoelaces, worldwide ecommerce sales produce $1.2 million in revenue.
To break down the ecommerce stats even more: in those short 30 seconds, $1 million in sales changes hands on a desktop computer, and $269,383 worth of purchases are made on mobile devices. These amounts have skyrocketed past credit card sales, which pull in only $684,669 in that same timeframe. These numbers represent a world of electronic potential your business cannot afford to miss out on. We’ve broken down what you need to know about ecommerce marketing, so you can make sure your strategies are set up for success.
Types of Ecommerce
Put simply, electronic commerce (shortened to ecommerce in much of the business world today) is the process of buying or selling products or services through an electronic medium. Its role in the commerce sphere has been expanding since the initial introduction of electronic sales and transfers. As technologies continue to evolve, three distinct types of ecommerce have emerged, all with different purposes and strengths.
Business to Consumer (B2C)
The ever-growing online giant, Amazon, is the current king of B2C marketing. Its unparalleled customer service and emphasis on a positive user experience quickly made the company the go-to ecommerce site for consumers who appreciate access to a world of products at the end of their fingers. Plus, it’s hard to compete with their Prime option, which guarantees product delivery within two business days. Much of Amazon’s success can be attributed to their mastery of B2C ecommerce, based on the understanding that success (or failure) is fully determined by the satisfaction of their consumers, and their willingness to return to Amazon for future purchasing needs.
Business to Business (B2B)
Differing from B2C marketing giants, B2B customer relationship management platforms like Salesforce set themselves apart by inspiring their respective industries through both innovation and influence. Essentially, these B2B companies succeed by marketing products specifically designed to help other businesses find success. Salesforce shares that four primary thoughts drive the company’s entire business plan: the importance of building a solid ecommerce strategy, cultivating next-level content in marketing, utilizing current technologies in its methods, and partnering with influencers to make marketing go further.
Consumer to Consumer (C2C)
A different beast entirely, C2C marketing happens very directly—from consumer to consumer. Originally, much of this business was handled through mediums like newspaper classified ads or posters. Today, companies like Craigslist work as facilitators for ecommerce dealings, managing postings for inconsistencies or scams. Brands like Letgo and Poshmark monitor postings in a similar manner, but make a profit with a percentage of the earnings when the product sells. In this type of ecommerce transaction, consumers can rest assured that they’re receiving a good product, sellers can feel protected during the purchasing process, and the facilitator wins, too.
Why Should Ecommerce Marketing Matter to My Business?
Each passing year sees the introduction of newer technologies that help companies connect with their customers in more innovative and intuitive ways. Ecommerce is shifting more quickly than all other avenues of commerce, and competition across the field is fierce. If you can’t keep up with the changes, you and your brand will be left behind. For this reason, it’s crucial to reevaluate your current ecommerce marketing marketing strategy for both potential improvements and current flaws.
Simple Steps to Ecommerce Success
Mobile-Friendly is a Must
Today, nearly 80% of Americans own a smartphone, and, depending on your primary consumer demographic, a majority of ecommerce dealings take place on the mobile devices of your consumers. If your site isn’t mobile friendly, or doesn’t convert to alternative viewing sources well, your business is missing out on a market with nearly endless potential for growth. Work with an expert to make sure your site is optimized for mobile users. You may even want to consider making a mobile app to further flesh out your ecommerce offerings.
Keep it Real (Real People, That Is)
We can all remember an unpleasant experience of calling a customer service number being forced to click endless buttons, answer voice prompts, and control our immense frustration just to get a real person on the other end of the line. Don’t let this be your company—strive to be as helpful to your customers as possible. In the digitized world of today, one of the most radical ways to do this is by gifting your customers person-to-person connection when they need it most, rather than leaving this essential service to a technical system.
Seamless = Successful
As opposed to generations past, the shoppers of today want to buy into a brand, not just the products or services they offer. Look over all aspects of your brand to make sure your voice, content, graphics, and even products are seamless and cohesive. If consumers notice inconsistencies within your company, they might distrust you. This could stem from something as subtle as a poorly-written social media post, so be sure to do your due diligence and keep an eye on your brand’s cohesion.
Energize Your Ecommerce Marketing with Snap
Navigating the world of ecommerce can leave a person feeling like a ship lost at sea. Luckily, many digital marketing firms specialize in helping companies improve all aspects of their ecommerce marketing. Consider reaching out to us today—the experts at Snap are standing by, eager to partner with you and strengthen your ecommerce marketing efforts.