E-commerce in 2024: What you need to know

What is e-commerce?

E-commerce is the process of buying and selling products or services via the Internet. In today's digital world, it has become one of the preferred tools for businesses to increase the availability and visibility of their products. It allows businesses to extend their reach beyond their traditional catchment area and customers to buy products or services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

E-commerce trends and key figures

The global e-commerce market is constantly growing. In France, online sales reached €146.9 billion in 2022, up 13.8% compared to 2021. (Source: www.fevad.com)

The different types of e-commerce

There are several types of e-commerce, each with its own characteristics and benefits. Among the most common are B2C (Business to Customer), where companies sell products or services directly to customers, C2C (Customer to Customer), where sales are made between individuals/customers, and B2B (Business to Business), where companies sell to other companies.

Advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce

With online commerce, businesses can quickly create sites with a wide variety of products and offer direct contact with customers, thus optimising marketing strategies.
However, selling online requires technical skills and data and privacy management. Sites like Amazon offer a secure payment service to remedy this. Delivering products can also be a challenge. Again, Fulfilment by Amazon can simplify logistics management.

FAQ

What is e-commerce?

It involves buying and selling products and services online.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce?

Advantages: reduced operating costs, broad customer reach, better marketing personalisation, easier product sourcing.
Disadvantages: technical difficulties, data and privacy issues, delivery difficulties.

Is e-commerce profitable?

With the right strategies, it can be.

What are the different types of e-commerce?

The most well-known models are
B2C: business to customer
B2B: business to business
C2C: customer to customer (between individuals/customers)
B2G: business to government
G2B: government to business
G2C: government to customer

What initial investment does e-commerce require?

It varies according to the type of product or service, medium, marketing strategy, etc. Launching online with Amazon costs EUR 39 per month plus referral fees that vary depending on the product category.

How do I start my own e-commerce business?

You should start by studying your target market in order to develop a business plan and an appropriate marketing strategy. Then, source your products and choose a suitable site on which to sell them.