E-Commerce

What is e-commerce?

Let's start at the beginning, because what exactly is e-commerce? E-commerce means electronic commerce. It is simply the online buying and selling of products and services through a webshop.

What is included by e-commerce?

To begin with, you need to ask yourself the question, "what is covered by e-commerce?" For example, you can subdivide e-commerce based on the type of product, type of customer contact, and where the trade takes place.

E-commerce based on customer contact

• Business to-Business (B2B): trade between two companies.  (Mailchimp)
• Business-to-Consumer (B2C): trade between a business and a consumer. (Wehkamp)
• Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): trade between consumers. (Marktplaats)
• Business-to-Business-for-Consumer (B2B4C): Trade from business to business for consumers (Picnic)

What is Business-to-Business e-commerce? (B2B)

B2B e-commerce exists when companies trade with each other online. This mainly concerns (online) services that are traded. Think for example of our SEO specialists who help you with the SEO optimisation of your website. In this situation, we speak of B2B e-commerce.

E-commerce based on location

Where does e-commerce take place? The 'e' in the word e-commerce actually gives it away, namely electronic, or online. This sounds logical, but there is a difference in where it takes place online. Examples are: online shops. You can think of the fact that nowadays almost every physical company also trades online. But also online marketplaces and social media. For example, E-bay itself, Marketplace of Facebook, and its promotion.

Different types of e-commerce platforms

What types of e-commerce platforms are there? We will explain the two most common e-commerce platforms in the Netherlands.

E-commerce and Google

These days, Google is also indispensable when talking about e-commerce. Google Shopping provides convenience and findability, while Google Analytics provides insight and overview.

E-commerce Google Shopping

Did you already know that anyone with an e-commerce website can also sell their products through Google Shopping? Good news, you will soon be able to answer this question! Google Shopping is the first to come up when you search for almost any type of product via the popular search engine. So it's a missed opportunity for you if you don't link your e-commerce website to Google Shopping. Not only will the listings rank high in Google, but it will also be easier to connect with your customers. Also, you can make Google AdWords better visual together with Google Shopping.

Starting E-commerce: phases e-commerce

Answering the question, "how do you start with e-commerce?" will be a piece of cake for you, after reading the steps below. Here is a brief summary of the three main steps you should definitely not forget for setting up a successful e-commerce platform:

• Step 1: Think about what kind of product or service you want to sell. As previously described, there is a difference in approach. In addition, look carefully at who you want to reach (target audience), what your competitors are doing, and what you can earn with it.

• Step 2: Think about what kind of platform you want to use for this. We recommend several types of e-commerce platforms. For example, you can use our own CMS (Dare to Manage), WooCommerce and Shopify.

• Step 3: Think about how you want to communicate your chosen form of e-commerce to your chosen target audience. For example, you can use social media to attract more visitors to your created webshop.