The Rise of Ecommerce

It’s no secret that online shopping is starting to catch on with shoppers all over the world. Both consumers and business owners are exploring what ecommerce has to offer, and they like what they see. Whether it’s a deal on new shoes or the chance to make money, there’s no ignoring the rise of ecommerce.

Even while other industries struggle through the economic downturn, ecommerce continues to boom. Clearly, the opportunities are ripe for you to capitalize on this rising industry.

Still unsure about diving in? Keep reading to discover some of the amazing numbers we have to look forward to in the coming years when the rest of the world relies on the internet for research and buying products online.

Ecommerce is Where the Money’s At

Ecommerce in the US is projected to be a $279 billion industry by 2015 (Forrester). Who wouldn’t want a piece of that pie? With the growth of technology like smart phones and personal tablets, it’s no surprise that people would rather shop from home instead of heading to a crowded shopping mall.

In fact, 61% of shoppers begin their research for purchases online (Website Magazine), and many of those end up buying online as well. Even more startling, by 2014, 53% of total retail sales (online and offline) will be affected by the Web, as consumers increasingly use the internet to research products before purchasing (Forrester).

In 2010, ecommerce growth astonishingly outpaced retail growth, with 14.3% YOY ecommerce growth and only 6.3% YOY growth for retail. Changes like this simply can’t be ignored.

In other words, if it’s money you’re looking for (which most entrepreneurs are), then jumping onto the ecommerce wagon is worth looking into.

Ecommerce is a Business Necessity

You would be hard-pressed to find a business in the 21st Century without an online presence of some sort. It’s not hard to start a website using a simple builder or free software. A company website is just a basic, must-have marketing tool for anyone trying to run a successful business. (Entrepreneur)

It’s also important to know that ecommerce is much different than a static website. An ecommerce site allows you to make money directly from your customers in real-time and levels the playing field between you and your largest competitors.

Additionally, an ecommerce site allows for heightened customer relationships and referrals. Any successful online store owner would tell you that they see money and orders come in when they listen to their shoppers and make them happy. After all, 84%of consumers said they were more likely to check online for reviews prior to making a purchase, compared to twelve months ago, according to a recent survey by Brand Reputation (Retail Bulletin).

Ready to Get Started?

Now that you’ve seen the facts of ecommerce growth, how do you capitalize on it? If you don’t want to run your own online business, there are other ways to jump into the industry.

One great way to get your feet wet (and get paid) is by becoming an affiliate for an ecommerce platform. Many platforms like Volusion offer great payouts while letting you take advantage of their support and other resources.

Whatever route you take, if you aren’t into ecommerce, then you’re missing out on some big payouts. So stop waiting around, and let’s get to work!

This guest post was written by Volusion, an excellent example of a SaaS model that incorporates all of the SaaS benefits. They have an affiliate program that is supported by the company itself and it’s easy to get connected with them. For more information about Volusion and their affiliate program, click here.