Whether you’re an entrepreneur just starting with an idea or a well-established retailer with a thriving brick-and-mortar location, e-commerce sales should be an integral part of your business growth plan. Why should your business be in e-commerce? Here’s our top 5 reasons:

  1. Growth of the business model. Projections from almost all e-marketing researchers are predicting rapid worldwide e-commerce growth through 2018, with no signs of slowing down. 2016 e-commerce estimates are around $1.6 trillion, and upwards of $2.5 trillion by the end of 2018. E-commerce growth in the US alone is expected to be between 11 and 16 percent from 2013 to 2018. Eighty percent of US consumers have made a purchase online. Big e-commerce retailers like Amazon, eBay and Zappos have brought e-commerce to the mainstream, but you don’t have to be a huge conglomerate to take advantage of online shopping growth.
  2. The ability to make money anywhere and everywhere. When you own a brick-and-mortar business, it’s all about location. In e-commerce, you can setup a storefront through your domain name and sell products and services anywhere in the world from a single “location.” Instead of hanging a “Sorry, we’re closed” sign on the door every time you step out of the shop, you can be sitting at a ballgame or on a beach in the Bahamas conducting business from your phone.
  3. Company image. Savvy shoppers will be looking for an online presence from your company, whether you are currently selling or not. Without an ecommerce component, you are sending a message that you’re not the newest and most advanced company on the market, and that can be perceived negatively by potential customers, causing a loss of potential sales. An ecommerce component allows you to remain on the cutting edge of sales trend and customer expectations.
  4. Better customer support. When you provide customers with an ecommerce option, you allow them to reach you on their time, on their terms. Ecommerce allows ease of communication through electronic channels, and sellers can track the buying habits of customers to let them know of sales and promotions that might pertain to them. It’s easier to keep current customers than to find new ones, and an ecommerce platform allows your customers to have a direct line to your business any time they need it.
  5. Ease of use and maintenance. For most businesses, it’s far easier and cheaper to set up an ecommerce component to their company than to establish a brick-and-mortar location. With the online platforms like Shopify specifically designed for ecommerce, setting up an online presence is easier than ever. And, with programs starting at less than $30 per month, online stores can be inexpensive to maintain. If you aren’t incredibly tech-savvy, you can hire a Shopify accredited company like Diffactory to set up your e-commerce site, teach you how to maintain it, and you’re off and selling in no time.

If you are considering starting an e-commerce business or adding an e-commerce component to your current business, Diffactory can help. We are Kansas City’s premier Shopify accredited e-commerce site creator, and we’d love to show you how to build your empire through e-commerce. Contact us today by clicking HERE or giving us a call at 816-287-2010.