eCommerce Stores with Success

The demand for experienced eCommerce experts is high. While brick-and-mortar retail is losing market share, the majority of professional online store operators in German-speaking countries are posting revenue growth. Companies that want to enter the growth field of eCommerce want – despite complex requirements – short development times, automated processes and innovative business models in order to generate sales and reach with their online store as quickly as possible.

Definition: What is eCommerce?

The term electronic commerce covers all commercial transactions on the Internet – including the sale of products and services in web stores. This includes the entire process of online transactions, including searching, comparing prices and reviews, selecting and paying for items, and delivering and returning goods. eCommerce has fundamentally changed the way businesses engage with customers and how consumers shop. Through eCommerce, consumers have the ability to conduct online transactions quickly, conveniently and securely.

eCommerce: current figures, market development, forecast

In 2022, an absolute growth of more than 100 million euros could be recorded in the areas of large household appliances and toys. By comparison, impulse-driven product groups – especially fashion – suffered losses.

This was due to depressed consumer sentiment caused by inflation and the war in Ukraine. Across all sectors, nominal gross sales in eCommerce in 2022 were EUR 90.4 billion – compared to EUR 99.1 billion in the still-Corona year 2021. If the current figures for 2022 are compared to the pre-Corona figures for 2019, the result is a huge increase of 24.5 percent.

Multichannel retailers, in particular, experienced a decline in sales in the eCommerce sector, as customers are increasingly buying in brick-and-mortar stores again and the online store serves more as a source of information about the product range. By contrast, most pure players – above all direct marketers – were able to sustainably increase their online sales.

Experts paint a differentiated picture for market development in eCommerce. Current forecasts for 2023 predict positive growth of 4.8 percent to EUR 94.7 billion for goods sold online. Above all, high-quality web stores that meet shoppers’ expectations in terms of availability, transparency and service have the best chances of attracting new customers and generating rising sales. According to experts, the 60+ customer group offers above-average growth potential in eCommerce.

Which tools, systems and platforms are helpful for my eCommerce business?

Professional store systems and eCommerce tools are the foundation of successful business models. As a control center, they enable companies to control and smoothly scale all sub-areas of eCommerce applications – from inventory to marketing measures. The world’s leading store systems are Magento, Shopware, Shopify and WooCommerce. They cover all relevant standard functionalities in the front-end and back-end. CRM systems are used to streamline and automate business processes and manage customer relationships.

What skills and technologies does a good eCommerce developer master?

In order to customize web shops, plugins and interfaces and take advantage technological potential, professional store programmers have knowledge of Java, JavaScript, PHP, C# and .NET. Full-stack eCommerce developers are in demand who, as specialized store programmers, combine PIM, ERP, CMS, CRM and UX/UI design skills individually or as part of a team. An increasingly important role is played by the integration of Big Data applications and AI (artificial intelligence) to proactively realize competitive advantages over competitors. Web shop developers with extensive expertise in the complex specialist areas of data security and IT security are particularly valuable for the long-term success of your online business.

How do I build a successful web shop using IT outsourcing?

Building a successful web store requires a wide range of IT skills, including website development, integrating payment and shipping systems, setting up databases, and implementing security features. IT outsourcing can be an effective way to leverage these skills without having to build an in-house IT department.

A successful web store requires not only a user-friendly website, but also a powerful backend infrastructure. Here are some steps you can follow when using IT outsourcing services to build a successful web store:

• Define your requirements: Before you start looking for an IT partner, define your requirements and goals for the web store. Think about what functions and features you want your store to have and what kind of support you need.
• Choose a trusted IT partner: Look for an IT partner that has experience in developing eCommerce solutions.
• Plan your infrastructure: Determine what kind of servers and hosting services you need to run your website.
• Develop your web store: Together with your IT partner, you can develop a user-friendly and secure web store that is tailored to your customers’ needs. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as many customers nowadays shop via their mobile devices.
• Maintain the web store: A successful web store requires regular maintenance and updates. Make sure that the store stays up to date and that you stay informed regarding trends.

What are the advantages of an IT outsourcing partner for my online shop business?

IT outsourcing gives you independence from the current IT expert shortage. An experienced IT outsourcing partner will always provide you with sufficient resources to effectively scale your online business with innovative applications. If you, as a store operator, are able to implement innovations and trends immediately, you will increase your competitiveness enormously – even compared to established online brands.

Your most important advantages through IT outsourcing at a glance:

• Cost reduction
• Access to expert knowledge
• Time savings – focus on your core business
• Latest technologies, software and systems
• Short development cycles through the use of agile methods