Ecommerce news August 10, 2020 – Voice search, shipping, TikTok

It’s a good time to look at buyer personas for your products and services. As ecommerce surges from the pandemic continue to hold, data is coming out that can help you navigate the new ecommerce landscape.

An example of this data – 2/3 of the millions purchasing online in 2020 will be 45 or older. This is a 6% increase from estimates and is a big shift from expectations at the beginning of the year. 23% of baby boomers are also shopping more online and many believe these changes won’t change after the pandemic ends.

At this point in the year there is reliable data about the pandemic which is helpful for ecommerce news

You may want to keep a closer eye than usual on shipping times and carriers if you run a business in the United States. Changes in operations and staffing at the USPS have many business owners concerned about the impact on deliveries.

Voice search and other touch-free technologies are more important than ever. People are seeking to maximize safety as they go about their daily lives and voice search helps. If you’re not sure how to optimize your ecommerce site for voice search, this article from Forbes recommends a comprehensive FAQ page.

Finally, take a look at this article about how TikTok broke into the US market. It’s full of interesting insights about marketing, product iteration and paid advertising.

Ecommerce news August 3, 2020 – Shipping and Marketing updates

2020 has been a year of major shifts in ecommerce. Big businesses are shifting their attention and supply chains struggle to keep up with demand. Marketing is changing too, as many of you try to minimize risk and focus spend where it can bring the best results.

For the first few months of quarantining, many businesses approached the pandemic as a brief challenging moment. As this year continues, it’s become an irreversible force of change. As pandemic numbers continue to rise and fall around the world, many leaders are approaching 2020 with a new perspective.

Another thing you might want to consider right now? Ramping up your shipping communications. While deliveries are at an all-time high, there are fewer on-time deliveries in 2020.

Ecommerce news July 27, 2020 – GMB and Holiday Ecommerce

Does your small business rely on Google My Business for traffic? You may want to check out the new option from Google – an upgraded GMB profile with a guaranteed badge for a monthly fee.

Many manufacturers in B2B are still struggling with the dramatic shift in 2020 to ecommerce. This isn’t a big surprise, even though ecommerce was growing fast in 2019. And 70% still don’t have a comprehensive strategy in place. Has this affected your supply chain yet?

It may feel like it’s far too soon to think about the holidays, but there are several reasons to think about your strategy now. It’s a good idea to plan for the many options your small business might be facing when December rolls around.

A store during the holiday season because that's what many think about when they hear shop small or Small Business Saturday

These tips are a good place to start, including:

Contact suppliers to make sure you have the inventory you need
Check out alternative distribution options
Connect with other businesses and services
Speak to your customers now to decide on new holiday product releases

If you want to dig into your holiday strategy now, read Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals: Your Guide to Holiday Ecommerce for Business.

This article about sleep habits may not be news to everyone. That said, it is a good reminder to give yourself a break and wake up at a time that is best for you.

Ecommerce news July 20, 2020 – B2B tips for 2020

We’ve offered a lot of tips for ecommerce in 2020, and this interview offers some great things to think about for B2B merchants, especially her comments on product content for

Ecommerce news June 29, 2020 – COVID surge and Instagram

Many businesses that re-opened are closing again after a surge in new cases of COVID-19. Many business owners are facing challenges because of unclear guidelines and information. Projections say that thousands of businesses will close for good this year, so will store locations for many popular chains.

At the same time, ecommerce has seen an unprecedented increase, 18% as of the end of June.

If you are a fan of Instagram shopping, get ready for even more opportunities. This popular social platform is expanding to include more businesses. If you are an independent creator selling your own unique merchandise, check it out! These changes go live on July 9th.

Ecommerce news June 22, 2020 – What’s different after reopening

With locations all over the world opening up after months of quarantining, it can be tempting to think that things are “back to normal.” But many small businesses are finding that running a business today is distinctly different.

Whether you sell with ecommerce or online, the new normal after COVID-19 feels different, and it's important for your small business to respond

Whether it’s a lack of data, shifting customer priorities or changes in your team, it’s time to pay attention to what feels different. You’ll want to react to those changes in real time.

These articles are a great way to get some perspective of the big picture. They can help you make some changes that will benefit your business during this phase of the new normal.

One CEO Explains Why E-Commerce Is Key To Surviving The ‘Retail Apocalypse’
6 Reasons Your Strategy Isn’t Working
Retailers Face a Data Deficit in the Wake of the Pandemic
Navigating The “New Normal:” How To Restart Your Business In 2020

Ecommerce news June 15, 2020 – More big changes in business

Businesses in the United States are re-examining their approach to diversity, inclusion and social justice in the wake of nationwide protests. This article from Harvard Business Review lays out how expectations for businesses have changed. They also share strategies you can use for your small business.

Ecommerce is at an all-time high right now. Shopping numbers for April-May 2020 surpassed online shopping statistics for November -December 2019. That figure was also an all-time high for online holiday shopping, and many feel this shift will last.

This data reveals that more customers are using mobile devices to complete purchases. Not only that, most first-time online shoppers are using their mobile phones, a shift from just a few months ago.

Ecommerce news June 8, 2020

Major retailers like Costco and American Eagle saw a 30-100% increase in ecommerce growth in May. Products that were in demand at the start of quarantining, like electronics, are seeing a slight decrease. At the same time, sales in other product categories are starting to move up again.

US consumer spending is down over all, but companies are seeing big boosts in ecommerce spending.

Source

While consumers are spending less, a higher portion of spending is going online in this article from Selz for business growth

Source

Fraud is also down. You may find these tips helpful as we move into June.

Snapchat is offering smart advertising based on your products. The process works in a similar way to Google Shopping. This is a great channel for B2C products and lead generation.

Ecommerce news June 1, 2020 – Unrest and shipping shifts

This was a chaotic and humbling weekend in the United States. Small businesses with brick and mortar stores should check insurance policies again. As events continue to unfold, it’s a good idea to review what protections your policy includes.

If your SEO doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to, you’re not alone.

According to a recent report, 48% of all Google searches don’t result in a click-through.

This means that you may have a listing on the search engine page but people don’t feel the need to click-through. If your high ranking listing isn’t getting you the kind of traffic you want you may want to take a look at your strategy.

Ecommerce news May 18, 2020 – Sentiment and buyer behavior

The international response and feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic are evolving. This recent ecommerce news can help you refine your strategy.

Do you run a beauty brand? This article has some smart tips for growing business during this time of transition. This page from DryBar is also a great example of customer communication.

Makeup nail polish and other beauty products shows all the products affected by this beauty advice ecommerce news.

This article from the Motley Fool offers some context for what to sell in ecommerce right now.

Your customers may have strong feelings about the pandemic that can affect their buying habits. This article offers some insight you can use to continue marketing effectively.

Ecommerce news May 4, 2020 – What Comes Next

Online sales increased by 210% between the end of February and mid-April. Site traffic also increased in April, and so have conversion rates. Ecommerce revenue is up 42% over this time last year.

Some believe this is because shoppers are purchasing lower consideration products. This means that people are more interested in making a quick purchase than browsing, comparing prices, and getting the perfect product online.

Even as small businesses begin to reopen their brick and mortar stores, many consumers aren’t quite ready to return to their old shopping habits.

At this moment, reviews are more important than ever. If you aren’t using an integration like Yotpo or Disqus, now is a good time to consider it.

One more thing to consider – this article on ecommerce return policies. If you haven’t taken a close look at how you’re handling returns right now, you may want to.

Google shopping listings are now free, which is a big deal in ecommerce news, especially for small businesses bringing their brick and mortar store online.

Also, it’s now free to sell with Google Shopping. If you haven’t already added this feature to your Selz store, this is an incredible opportunity to get your products seen online.

If you’re already using Google Shopping, there’s nothing else you need to do.

Ecommerce news April 27, 2020 – Transition and Reopening

Communities all over the world are considering the processs and impact of reopening. There is a lot of conflicting information and uncertainty about how to move forward.

As you decide what is best for you, your family, and your business, we will continue to share the news that is most relevant to small business ecommerce.

Amazon has the power to alter algorithms to benefit its platform. This presents a major challenge for small businesses that are seeing spikes in sales that go beyond the capacity of their supply chains.

Did your application for funds in the United States in the first round of small business loans work out? If not, the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program starts today.

If you run a brick and mortar store you may also be a landlord for other small businesses who are struggling. This article has some tips for handling rent during the pandemic.

If your niche is hot right now:

At least one prominent business leader thinks demand for your products online will stay strong following the pandemic.

Ecommerce news April 20, 2020 – What Happens Next

Quarantining continues around the globe. While some areas slowly reopen, many are focusing on the economic impact of the coronavirus. These statistics may offer some insight into how your small business can move forward.

In the UK, only 14% of businesses are marketing in line with original planning for 2020. Many have delayed or changed ad campaigns.

At the same time, email open rates are up, and so is YouTube watch time. Facebook messaging is up more than 50% and people are spending more time on social media.

Email open rates are 40% higher since mid-March 2020, one bit of ecommerce news

Practical Ecommerce offers insights from historic moments in the economy. This article considers how those moments can inform small businesses to better prepare for what comes next.

Following recessions in 1979, 1981 and 1990, the businesses that thrived following tough economic times were those that balanced cost-cutting with investment.

If you are developing a plan now, where will your budget be most useful? According to their data, invest in marketing (including paid advertising), R & D, and new products.

Ecommerce news April 13, 2020 – COVID-19 Ecommerce Updates

COVID-19 and coronavirus quarantining around the globe have had an intense impact on ecommerce. There are changes every day. So, finding resources that are accurate and useful as you update your business is important.

If you’re wondering how you are doing compared to other sellers in your niche, this real-time ecommerce analysis is great. This one too.

Many are expecting a wave of ecommerce fraud, but things haven’t changed much. That said, more shoppers are making purchases with mobile apps instead of on desktops or the mobile web. If you haven’t optimized your ecommerce site for mobile, you may want to take a closer look.

It’s become clear to many that the best way to operate a business during this time is going online. Only about half of the small businesses in the United States had a website before this crisis, and even fewer were taking advantage of ecommerce. These articles have some helpful messages for you if you’re just starting out.

Get Your Business Online: How to Take Your Offline Business into Ecommerce
“But we were comfortable”
7 Ways To Launch Your First Ecommerce Business

B2B is also seeing the benefits and impact of ecommerce right now. In a recent survey, 81% of B2B buyers say they would choose the supplier with a better ecommerce portal over the supplier who offers a better deal.

Ecommerce news April 6, 2020 – More Coronavirus Updates

As the response to coronavirus evolves, so does the news around it. Every week there are more strategies to consider for your business during this time.

Have you experienced supply chain challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19? Whether your answer is yes or no, it’s still a good idea to stay ahead of potential issues. Take a close look at your internal business process too.

Payments for the United States stimulus package will head out soon. This article gives a good idea of how the stimulus will work for individuals and for small businesses. You may also want to read this if you’re thinking about strategy and financial planning.

Another trending topic in the last few weeks is live streaming. Digital Commerce 360 goes over some inventive ways that businesses are using live streaming right now in this article.

Some niches are seeing an increase in sales, and overall ecommerce sales are up 25% over the same time last year. Other small businesses are seeing a year over year drop.

Ecommerce news March 30, 2020 – Ecommerce changes in the wake of coronavirus

Things are hectic in the ecommerce world. Some companies have stopped taking orders because of the rapid increase. Others are taking the advice of experts. They’re getting creative with their supply chain and shipping.

One example of this creativity – increased use of Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime, and other video conferencing tools. These tools are helping businesses connect with customers and offer services online. Yoga studios, gardening experts and event companies are using online tools to continue to offer services to customers who are staying home.

There's been a surge of interest in ecommerce news about teaching online since the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

There’s also been a surge in online courses. Many people finally have a chance to use their unique skills to teach online.

This moment is bringing an unprecedented amount of change. The way each individual responds will mean the difference between surviving and thriving. This article has some of the latest items that are popular and actively selling online.

If you are already running a successful online business, use this time to innovate your supply chain and test new product offers.

If you’re just getting started, this blog can help you make sure you have everything you need before you bring your brick and mortar store online.

We also have a ton of business ideas if you’re creating a business right now and want to sell online.

Either way, competition for online services will increase. Think long term about the best marketing strategy for your business.

Ecommerce news March 23, 2020 – Responses to changes in ecommerce demand and supply chain

While internet purchases have gone up in the last few weeks around the globe, ecommerce isn’t as busy as some expected.

Many retailers, both large and small, are scaling back or temporarily closing their online stores. For some, this is because of precautions for staff. Others are seeing issues up and down the supply chain.

Shopping online is also down, with revenue down 35% from the same week last year.

Ecommerce giants like Amazon and Walmart are also changing the way they operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both companies increasing salaries and adding to their workforce. Amazon is also limiting some of its seller programs, like Amazon FBA, to high demand products like household staples and medical supplies.

Some of you may be experiencing an intense increase in purchases, while other sites are quieter. It is possible that the global economy will rely more on ecommerce in the future.

This change requires effective business practices that are effective in responding to emergencies. This article gives valuable insight into the response of an ecommerce medical supplies business

Ecommerce news March 20, 2020 – Legislation that small business employers should know

Many small businesses are facing painful decisions due to the business impacts of social distancing.

In several countries, new legislation is underway to help small businesses and their employees weather the pandemic.

For more details, these articles can be helpful:

Ecommerce news March 16, 2020 – COVID-19 and Small Business

If you’re like most people, your inbox is full of emails with business responses to COVID-19. In the news, there is speculation about how this coronavirus will impact the global economy. Many feel like the mandates around social distancing will be a boon to ecommerce.

A family video chats while practicing social distancing during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic for this article about ecommerce impact of the virus

At the same time, business owners are seeing impacts in the supply chain, inventory management, and delivery. Some are also seeing a shift in consumer confidence and online behaviors. When combined with recent Google algorithm changes, there is a lot that is up in the air for business owners.

As this pandemic continues, there are a few tips that you may have picked up online. If not, we’ve included a short checklist of extras to think about if you haven’t put them in place already.

Update your business details like hours of operation and changes to services and delivery on Google My Business
Pause ad campaigns that are targeting businesses that are not operating right now
Update your automated emails to reflect any changes in service during this period. Even though your customers are changing their habits, they might not understand that you also need to change yours.
Check your business insurance policy to see if it includes business interruption insurance. These policies usually cover weather and storm damage to a business. If your policy includes business interruption insurance, confirm the specific trigger points. You’ll want to do this to make sure that your policy can cover losses if necessary.

Ecommerce news March 2, 2020 – Coronavirus, US Shipping, Personalization

Ecommerce businesses continue to experience supply chain disruptions. Many are strategizing about ways to reduce the potential impacts of the coronavirus. Several major companies are asking employees to limit travel and conference events as well.

enVista released it’s 2020 Personalisation Report this week. The report says that 51% of customers feel that a personalized and consistent experience is important. At the same time, only 34% of retailers have made this a top priority.

The US Postmaster is changing how they approach budgeting and strategy to remain profitable. Does your business use the US Post Office for deliveries? What has your experience been? Let us know.

Ecommerce news February 24, 2020 – Libra

The ecommerce world is talking about Shopify's endorsement of Facebook's Libra currency. Leanr more in this article.

The ecommerce world is buzzing about Facebook’s cryptocurrency Libra that will go live in 2020. You can read about the latest news about Libra here.

Still learning about blockchain, bitcoin and cryptocurrency?

These articles can help you get started:

What is Cryptocurrency? [Everything You Need To Know!]
Blockchain Explained
Bitcoin

Ecommerce news February 10, 2020 – Changes at FedEx and USPS

You may not have seen headlines about the most recent stock price for FedEx. You may have missed this article about declining earnings for the USPS at the end of 2019.

Fedex and usps logos for a quick news update about how changes at fedex can impact ecommerce

What you may have seen when reconciling your January budget- higher fees for shipping. As of January 6, 2020, FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight services increased their shipping rates and surcharges.

The major shipping outlets that you rely on for your ecommerce business are making changes. These changes will improve their earnings and stability. It’s up to you to determine how you will react to these changes.

You may want to revisit how you approach shipping costs for some of your products. Think about updating your emails to set the right expectations for your customers.

You may also want to take a look at which carriers you use most often. Shipping is an investment, and you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your shipping. It is tempting to set it and forget it, but changes like these make it important to look at how big business shipping changes might affect your business at home.

Ecommerce news February 3, 2020 – Counterfeiting, the DHS, COPRA

This week in ecommerce news- The United States DHS has a new plan to control the influx of counterfeit online sellers. Their plan outlines best practices for ecommerce businesses to follow. If you want to avoid scrutiny under this new legislation, consider the following:

Vetting of suppliers
Comprehensive terms for service agreements
Clearly mark the country of origin for your products
Conduct transactions through banks that follow U.S. enforcement requests for information.

COPRA and other security updates are big ecommerce news that show that governments are taking customer concerns seriously, symbolized by a padlock on a keyboard

Privacy is important

We know about the CCPA, and want to let you know about another change could be coming soon for ecommerce in the United States- COPRA. The Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act could be on the table as soon as this November. Until then, there are recommendations that small businesses should consider if this bill goes live in 2020.

We have a few highlights from their suggestions:

Audit your data

Look at what do you have, where it comes from, where you store it, and how your business uses data. If you don’t need a piece of data, stop collecting it.

Review the security provisions in your data storage agreements

The terms may surprise you and you may want to take action sooner than later.

Consider data breach insurance

If you already have this in place, look at the terms.

What are your contractual obligations in the event of a data breach?

If you don’t know, now is a good time to figure it out.

No matter what your current policies, now is the time to ensure your policies are compliant with current federal DPS laws and your local state laws. If you do business in the EU, get compliant with GDPR. If you do business in or California is your home, get compliant with CCPA.

Ecommerce news January 27, 2020

In ecommerce, it’s important to watch the rise and fall of major players. You never know how the news of the day might affect your business operations.

This article on the Coronavirus and ecommerce was a helpful quick read. Also, eBay is making some big changes as well.

Ecommerce news January 13, 2020 – Online Security

Fraud and transaction security are important ecommerce news with the release of new findings from a trusted source

New research finds that small businesses moving online underestimate the importance of security. At the same time, 48% of online shoppers are more sensitive to the impact of security on their shopping experience than they were just a year ago.

There are many things that an online business can do to make sure transactions are secure, whether your primary concern is your online store or digital product delivery.

Ecommerce news January 6, 2020 – Customer feedback and Holiday Returns

The start of a new year is a powerful time for small businesses. The news is less focused on business and more on international politics. That can make it hard to see how the wider world may impact your business in the coming days and months of 2020.

A reporter reaching out for comment. International news can sometimes overshadow ecommerce news, but that does't make your business less important.

Today we have confirmation from MasterCard that holiday ecommerce spending was at an all-time high in 2019. 24.5% of retail purchases took place on Cyber Monday, while only 15.4% of retail spending was on Black Friday. Read more here.

Also, an interesting take from Seth Godin on customer feedback. There is more emphasis than ever on creating community and relationships with customers to build your business. For new strategies to consider, check out this article.

Ecommerce news December 30, 2019 – AI and Social Selling

It’s only days until a new decade, and the news is full of ideas about what will be important in 2020. Two standouts for ecommerce – AI and social selling.

You may already be aware of the extensive opportunities to sell products on different social media platforms. Up to this point, social media is a casual space where ads and products might interfere.

But a new generation of users sees social media as one more place to get things done, making in-app purchases both valuable and convenient.

Learn more about selling on these social media platforms:
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

Another big topic of conversation is AI. The following list is a good look at how and why your small business should look into AI today.

Personalized User Journeys
Predictive Product Recommendations
In-store Insights
Customer Engagement
Visual and Voice Search

Ecommerce news December 16, 2019 – Predictions for 2020

Ecommerce has grown exponentially since its origins in the 1980s. With this expansion, the distinctions between ecommerce and commerce are starting to blur.

What does this mean for local small business and ecommerce-only businesses? A few predictions for 2020 stand out:

Shopping in malls is becoming attractive again. In-store experiences are pulling in new audiences. If your store is strictly online, it may be a good idea to explore brick and mortar options.

In-store experiences are popular with Gen Z shoppers and are making a comeback - it's important to balance this offer with ecommerce.

Shipping accuracy and shipping options will be even more important to remain competitive.

No matter where you live, it’s important to stay aware of other countries. You’ll want to know how they regulate or power ecommerce as you update your strategies.

Not sure where to start? Focus on big economies like India and China.

Ecommerce news December 2, 2019 – Black Friday and Ecommerce Reviews

In the news yesterday: the New York Times and ecommerce reviews. The article covered how false reviews can move a business forward.

The comments on this article were especially interesting. Many merchants spoke out about the lack of commentary in the article about the impact false negative reviews can have on a small business. They also called out how specific platforms like Yelp and Amazon moderate reviews.

Black Friday Boom

Black Friday numbers climbed once again this year. 7.4 billion in sales! Small Business Saturday sales are up 18% over last year.

Another exciting note? This headline:

Exciting ecommerce news headline about Black Friday shoppers spending record amounts online in 2019.

Today is Cyber Monday – what are your goals for today?

Ecommerce news November 25, 2019 – CCPA

Microsoft's plans to implement CCPA is big ecommerce news.

Ecommerce news was full of commentary about Microsoft’s announcement last week. Their decision to implement the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for all customers in the U.S is a big one.

In a recent GeekWire article, they refer to CCPA as “GDPR-lite,” referring to the European Union’s General Data Protection Act. You can learn more about GDPR here and here.

We will continue to share updates on the details. We want to let you know we’re working on our platform to make this upcoming change as painless as possible for our customers.

Ecommerce news November 18, 2019 – Tik Tok and Buying Experience

Are you using Tik Tok? This video platform has gotten very popular in 2019.

They’re starting to allow some users to add links directly to the profile bio. This opens the door to ecommerce on the platform. So if you haven’t started using this platform, now may be a good time to start.

It’s also the time of year for influencers to anticipate what will be important in the coming year.

This article says that customers will expect more from the buying experience. Exchange and delivery are important, and so is personalization. So, be sure to take a close look at how your customer service addresses those expectations.

Ecommerce news November 12, 2019 – Singles’ Day and 2020 Predictions

As so many of us look forward to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, yesterday was Singles’ Day in China. Singles’ day is a relatively new holiday and the largest shopping day in the world. If you’re not familiar with the event, you can learn more about it here.

Singles day was on november 11 2019 this year and is the largest shopping day in the world. Learn about this event and more ecommerce news from Selz ecommerce for growing businesses

In other news, the end of the year brings ecommerce predictions for 2020. This article runs through some B2B expectations, including new options for marketing and headless commerce.

Ecommerce news November 1, 2019 – Holiday Shopping and B2B

There is an uptick in articles about the upcoming holiday shopping season. In addition, recent social media debates about political advertising, Google’s acquisition of FitBit, and the rise of B2B in ecommerce have made the headlines.

This infographic video shows the 15 most profitable businesses in the United Stated from 1954-2018.

It’s a clear illustration of how much more dynamic commerce is today than it was just a few years ago. It also shows how these large companies can influence or pave the way for small businesses.

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