E-commerce accounts for about 15 percent of all retail commerce and has roughly tripled its growth in under 10 years. Between people becoming more comfortable making purchases from their smartphones, virtual try-on software, and omnichannel marketing, e-commerce shows no signs of slowing down.
It’s not only the growth of e-commerce that makes Werkbot excited to be a Shopify Partner, it’s the potential societal and business opportunities emerging from this trend. In this piece, we’re going to talk about what Shopify is and why we’re happy to be experts in this disruptive e-commerce platform.
About Shopify
While many digital marketers know about Shopify’s growing dominance in the e-commerce space, people outside of the industry may not know about it. Shopify is an all-in-one commerce platform that streamlines the process of building, running, and growing an online store.
We appreciate that Shopify has worked hard to reduce the barrier to entry for small-business owners with modest budgets. At the same time, they’ve designed a platform that leaves room for those who need customized features and full-service website development.
Currently, a staggering 31 percent of all e-commerce sites use Shopify, making it the most popular option for selling products and services online.
Shopify is also taking on some pretty cool social impact and climate change initiatives that we appreciate. From helping minority-owned businesses to funding carbon removal efforts, they’re striving to make a positive impact on the planet.
Being a Shopify Partner
At Werkbot, we grew our business by becoming the go-to experts in Silverstripe. It’s one of the most robust and customizable content management systems (CMSs) out there.
However, it’s important to us that we continue to offer solutions that align with a variety of businesses. Shopify is one of those solutions. Becoming a Shopify Partner requires developers and marketers to pass a variety of exams, including:
- Product Fundamentals
- Business Fundamentals
- App Development
These courses ensure agencies have the knowledge to position businesses for success. So, whether you need a basic storefront or a totally customized marketplace, you can rest assured that agencies with these certifications will provide strategic solutions that work.
Why We’re Happy to See E-commerce Growing
Don’t get us wrong, we still love the brick-and-mortar experience. Whether browsing a local artisan bazaar or window shopping on London’s famous Oxford Street, there is (and always will be) something special about shopping in person.
But there is also something special about e-commerce. One can still shop local from the business down the street but from the comfort of their couch. And one can also shop the storefronts of London without having to head to the airport, wait in line, hop on a flight, land, and taxi to Oxford Street. With a few keystrokes, clicks, swipes, or taps, you can buy just about anything online. And this ability has paved the way for innovation, accessibility, and entrepreneurship.
Yet, e-commerce, although it has revolutionized the world of retail, still has a few downsides: shipping material, poor return processes, etc. But here are some reasons we’re so excited to be a Shopify Partner and how it will help our current and future clients.
E-commerce isn’t just for Products
Whether it’s Shopify or another CMS, it’s important to remember that e-commerce isn’t just for products. It’s for services and virtual goods as well.
From freelancers and food caterers to financial advisors and physical therapists, many people need a website to showcase their expertise. By formatting their products as appointment booking, classes, consultations, events, or in-home visits, e-commerce opens up huge opportunities for people in every industry.
Shopify is an Excellent Alternative to Selling on Amazon
Let’s be clear: We’re not anti-Amazon. We believe it is good to have choices, and Shopify is an excellent alternative for businesses to sell their products on the retail giant’s platform. To the dismay of many retailers, Amazon makes you follow some rigorous brand and company guidelines. On the other hand, Shopify lets you build your store the way you want to. You control the customer experience, how your brand is presented, and how you advertise your products.
By selling on your own store, you get more insights into your customer base. With names, numbers, email addresses, birthdates, etc., you can customize your messaging for different customers. So many people want individualization that 83 percent of them are willing to share some data to enable a personalized experience.
According to research commissioned by Google from Boston Consulting Group, retailers consistently realize a revenue lift of 25 percent or more by personalizing the shopping experience to the customer.
E-commerce Complements In-Store Experiences
Every brick-and-mortar store should have an online presence. For those looking to increase revenue, it’s critical to be where your customers are, whether they’re sitting behind a screen or strolling through your store.
With Shopify’s web platform, point of sale (POS) system, and an array of marketing integrations, they allow you to create a shopping experience that eliminates the friction between in-person and online sales. Brands who make the push to sell on more than one channel (e.g., website, storefront, Instagram, etc.) see an average 190 percent increase in revenue.
Shopify Minimizes the Barrier to Entry
With a traditional brick-and-mortar store, the expenses rack up quickly: rent, licenses, staff, professional services, inventory, POS systems, and so on. With Shopify, you can ramp up a basic store for about $15 a month. That’s more affordable than a single square foot of commercial space in most cities.
Of course, as stores grow and demand more features, the price increases. However, that initial cost opens up entrepreneurial opportunities for many people who couldn’t otherwise afford to take a chance.
You Can Add Value to a Purchase
More than 50 percent of shoppers research products before making a purchase. To guide buyers toward a sound purchase, you can provide the content they’re looking for. By providing helpful information through blog posts, podcasts, and videos, you can build brand trust and loyalty.
Shopify makes it easy to add mobile-friendly, search-optimized content to your site to aid in customer acquisition and retention. Recently, they rolled out Online Store 2.0 (OS 2.0), which allows far more flexibility and customization for stores that want more page layout options.
E-commerce Improves Accessibility
There are various ways e-commerce helps improve product and service accessibility. First, with the reduced overhead of having an online store, sellers can pass on savings to their customers. These reduced costs allow customers with tighter budgets to still buy the products they want and need.
Many people, especially those in rural areas, lack access to certain products and services. Online stores open up possibilities for just about anyone with an internet connection. E-commerce also saves time for busy people and those without transportation.
Getting the Help You Need
Although Shopify is reducing the barriers to entry for many entrepreneurs, businesses continue to face a multitude of challenges, especially when they’re growing quickly. To better manage your marketing projects, leverage customer data, and develop an unrivaled shopping experience, reach out to Werkbot.
We’re a certified Shopify Partner with the e-commerce experience to help you bring up your bottom line. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help, contact us today.