What is e-commerce? Everything you need to know about ecommerce

With frequent changes in the business world, companies from different segments seek to reinvent themselves every day. Thus, searches for various sales strategies they grow daily and are increasingly digital. So, many people are making their purchases through the Internet. Therefore, throughout this text, I decided to talk in detail about what e-commerce is and how this type of commerce can help your brand in different ways

After all, according to a McKinsey survey, released in recent weeks, the B2B eCommerce grew 62% in the last month.

In fact, the study evaluated customer expectations and behaviors, which, like traders, needed to change.

Therefore, it is very interesting not only to understand this change, but to know how this type of business is helping several brands to find a safe path in the commercial world.

Therefore, if you want to answer your questions about selling online and discover the types of e-commerce, their advantages and characteristics, continue reading and see the variety of information I have separated for you!

What is e-commerce?

Without a doubt, knowing what e-commerce is is one of the main desires when we talk about the subject.

In fact, better understanding its functionalities is part of the biggest questions on the topic.

So, firstly, I need to explain that e-commerce is nothing more than electronic commerce, which carries out sales actions through electronic devices and platforms.

In fact, in the beginning, e-commerce was used to sell more affordable goods such as books and CDs.

However, today businesses sell all types of products and even cars, properties and luxury accessories.

Furthermore, even food, products that we previously thought we could only buy in physical spaces, are now sold online.

Therefore, it is also worth explaining that e-commerce combines two important processes: sales and customer service. This way, you can sell products, receive and offer support, through a single platform.

Finally, it is important to highlight that there are different ways to promote e-commerce. This way, your communication can be done through organic posts or ads on social media, marketing emails and even displays on search engines, such as Google, for example.

Is there a difference between e-commerce and a virtual store?

If, in addition to wanting to know what e-commerce is, you also had any doubts about the similarity with the virtual store, I will explain to you what differentiates these two businesses now.

Because it has many processes, as I mentioned above, e-commerce doesn't just sell. Therefore, he also receives payments, organizes deliveries, calculates shipping and a series of actions involving the purchase.

More, the online store only sells the product. In other words, it is a part of e-commerce. Therefore, there is still a difference between e-commerce and the famous marketplaces, which are a type of e-commerce in which the virtual store is not its own.

In this way, the marketplace is a space offered for various companies to sell their products. Therefore, the platform carries out billing processes and other activities, while the products are sold. Some examples are: OLX, Elo7 and Mercado Livre.

Leading

You may already know that an e-commerce platform is the system responsible for managing and visualizing digital commerce. But I want to tell you that there are several platforms available and if you want to open your business online, it is important to choose the best option for the market in which you are going to operate.

Therefore, before deciding which one to choose, it is essential to understand the needs of your store.

Furthermore, you must pay attention to the requirements that a good platform must have. Are they:

• Permission to include products;
• Inventory and price management;
• Protection of personal information;
• Area dedicated to item registration;
• Order organization tool;
• Sector to take care of payment actions;
• Function to optimize deliveries;
• Guarantee of security when sending information;
• Possibility of integrations with the marketing and logistics segments.

Likewise, it is essential that you also know the types of platforms that exist. They are separated into three categories. Check it out below!

Free

It is an option that offers greater customization possibilities. However, it has simpler accommodation. Therefore, it may suffer from instability and support issues.

Pay

Undeniably, this is a possibility with more advantages. It offers more specialized software, as well as diverse service tools and greater stability.

But it is important to highlight, Some paid platforms charge a percentage of sales made.

Own

Finally, the platform itself offers the possibility of total customization. However, it requires a team dedicated to its development. Likewise, professionals need to take care of its constant updating and possible corrections.

What information should be highlighted?

In fact, an e-commerce platform offers a world behind the products. It is through this that you can register, add items and make sales.

After all, alongside beautiful commerce, there is a series of data that influence the success of the business.

Therefore, some actions can be taken to help achieve good results, such as automating the sales process, organizing the product catalog, adequate communication, a modern look, a lightweight website and other attitudes that help improve the customer experience.

Therefore, it is necessary to highlight some information right away, so that your consumers know exactly the basic information about your business.

Therefore, it is important to have data about the company's history, products, payment methods and delivery times.

Furthermore, highlight your differences, promotions and items that are out of stock, to avoid embarrassment and dissatisfaction.

Advantages of e-commerce

Without a doubt, in addition to wanting to know what e-commerce is, many people want to understand the main advantages of having an e-commerce.

I have separated some of them so that you can understand the benefits of this type of business a little more. Look:

• Economy: as this is a segment with lower costs compared to investing in a physical store, which requires setting up a store, with a physical location, furniture and, in most cases, a large number of employees;
• Reduced deadlines: e-commerce takes a shorter time to be ready. In fact, some platforms already deliver the entire structure assembled. This way, you can start working quickly;
• Profit: without a doubt, this is a great advantage, since with the aforementioned savings it is possible to invest more in quality, have higher sales and increase the profit margin;
• Diversity: in e-commerce it is possible to work with different styles of customers. This way, you can sell a greater variety of products;
• Availability: Finally, a great benefit is the fact that items are available for sale 24 hours a day. This way, consumers can access your store when they are calmest and can analyze the options calmly, increasing the business's chances of selling even more.

Types of e-commerce

Without a doubt, when we talk about what e-commerce is, we immediately think of some store that we already know and are traditional in digital media, right?

But it is important to understand that, nowadays, increasingly different segments are selling online.

Therefore, there are different types of e-commerce, which are classified into the following categories:

B2B (Business to Business)

Firstly, this is the type of commerce that carries out the sales process between two companies. Thus, the objective is generally to resell products.

B2C (Business to Consumer)

Certainly, this is the best known form of e-commerce. Therefore, it is the sale made by a company to the end consumer. Such as, for example, well-known stores selling clothing, electronic and household accessories, among other items.

C2C (Consumer to Consumer)

Likewise, there is this type, which makes business possible between two individuals, through the help of an intermediary.

That is, through sites like Mercado Livre and eBay.

P2P (Peer to Peer)

There is also this type of e-commerce, which shares digital files and exchanges items without an intermediary.

But it has a low financial return and is associated with piracy and other virtual crimes.

Mobile commerce

This is all sales made via mobile devices. Therefore, it is considered by many as an evolution of e-commerce, as it is gaining more and more customers.

Social Trade

Known as social commerce, it is the integration of e-commerce with social media. Undeniably, networks are increasingly powerful and can help not only with publicity, but also with the exchange of advice and information about products.

In fact, today the Facebook and Instagram are important sources of sales. Because they expose the items and the opinions of consumers, which are taken into account at the time of purchase.

T-Commerce

Finally, T-Commerce is the commerce that uses digital television to sell its products. In other words, these are sales in the middle of schedules.

This way, the viewer can purchase the item being displayed and choose their payment method.

Therefore, it is increasingly common for TV programs to provide QR codes so that consumers can purchase in an even more agile and practical way.

Success strategies

If you read our texts here on Beatz's blog, you must be familiar with the word strategy. After all, as digital marketing experts, we love methods and tactics that drive not just posts, but results.

Therefore, we believe that there is always a technique capable of making the company go further. And with e-commerce it is no different. In fact, there are a series of tips that can help the success of the endeavor.

Targeting

The first tip is very important for all types of e-commerce. Therefore, it is segmentation, which consists of defining which audience you will work with.

Therefore, as I already mentioned throughout the text, e-commerce allows you to work with different styles of customers. However, still, It is essential to understand their behavior.

So, do research. Understand your preferences and which type of consumer predominates among your buyers. This way, you can create more appropriate and efficient communication, in addition to easily choosing the products you will sell.

Content Marketing

Another good recommendation is to invest in content marketing. In fact, this is a strategy with great potential to attract more customers. It serves as a safe bridge in the relationship between the brand and the consumer.

So how about having a blog within your sales website? Write articles related to the segment you operate in, with tips for readers. This way, your company gets a valuable approach and can even become a reference on the subject.

Organization

Finally, my tip is to put your goals into practice. Also, be organized. This is a strategy that does not fail. Because, by organizing your objectives and your routine, you will be able to sell better and make quality deliveries, without missing deadlines and without wasting any opportunities.

However, you need to document everything. Make daily notes, frequently research what can be improved and monitor your results. This way, you will have good reports, which in the future will help you know if you are acting in the best way or if you need to improve in some aspect.

5 steps to start your business

Without a doubt, I am passing on a barrage of information that may make you question, If setting up an e-commerce is a good option. But don't be scared, as it is important that you know the details to understand how it is possible to make everything happen.

However, now that you know what e-commerce is, what the platform options are and their main advantages, the time has come to check out some tips to start working in this segment.

Therefore, I have put together an exclusive step-by-step guide, based on successful cases and the reality that is changing every moment, to help you understand which steps are essential for this type of company.

1st step: planning

The first phase of creating an e-commerce, It's one I always talk about: planning. After all, what's the point of knowing where you want to go without being able to chart a good path?

Therefore, the first step is to plan. Define your goals and put together a good business plan. So study. Research other companies that sell the same product as you. Understand which audience you will sell to and, finally, set realistic goals to achieve with your feet on the ground.

2nd step: choose the platform

As I revealed throughout the text, there are different types of platforms. That is, the free one, the paid one and the one itself. Therefore, find the best option for your business and remember to choose a solution that fits your needs.

3rd step: take care of the look of your store

Firstly, don't forget to choose a good design for your e-commerce. Therefore, be careful when choosing the layout. Well, a good look can win over customers right away.

After all, many people prioritize this factor, which includes, still, care about the quality of the images on your website, which must convey professionalism and highlight the positive points of the products.

4th step: payment methods

Without a doubt, many customers prioritize ease of payment when choosing where to buy. Therefore, the more possibilities, the greater your chance of selling.

However, don't commit to something beyond your reality. In other words, only take on work that you can perform efficiently.

Likewise, be sure to hire specialized anti-fraud services to avoid negative surprises.

5th step: delivery of products

Finally, the last tip represents care with the entire logistics service of your e-commerce.

Therefore, pay attention to taking care of stock, separating items, preparing legal packaging and, above all, meeting deadlines.

Furthermore, choose a good partner to deliver the products, as this is a very special moment for your customers.

In fact, there are other actions that can be taken to structure an e-commerce, such as the help of marketing professionals, who can guide you in the direction and development of sales and advertising strategies. But, With these basic tips, you can get started!

Therefore, if your desire is to open an e-commerce to sell the products you sold in your physical store, don't give up.

So, if you didn't have a business and want to start now, go ahead. This one, It is a universe that embraces different types of entrepreneurs and you can be a future example of success.

Finally, I hope that the tips in our text have clarified your doubts about what e-commerce is and other questions about this trade that is growing considerably.

Therefore, if you liked this text, share it on your social networks, pass it on to more friends, and help more people stay up to date with the subject.

Also, keep an eye out in our blog, as our content team is always preparing articles like this, to inform and inspire good ideas.

If you have any doubts, Talk to us, we are at your disposal.