As a print on demand business owner, you know that e-commerce is an increasingly important channel for reaching customers and growing your business. But what does the global e-commerce landscape look like, and what trends and opportunities should print on demand businesses be aware of? In this blog post, we'll explore the latest data and insights from a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to help you understand the global e-commerce landscape and how it relates to your print on demand business.
First, let's take a look at some key statistics from the report:
- In 2021, e-commerce is expected to account for 27.3% of retail sales in China, 16.2% in the US, 19.9% in the UK, 8.2% in Japan, 14.0% in Germany, and 8.3% in Canada and Australia.
- Global e-commerce sales are projected to reach $6.8 trillion by 2023, up from $3.5 trillion in 2019.
- E-commerce-focused retailers like Amazon and Alibaba are now among the world's largest sellers of paid media, making e-commerce-related advertising increasingly important.
What does this mean?
According to Printseekers, these statistics paint a clear picture of the growing importance of e-commerce in the global retail landscape. But what does this mean for print-on-demand businesses specifically?
One key opportunity for print-on-demand businesses is the ability to reach customers in new and innovative ways through e-commerce channels. By creating an online store or selling through third-party platforms like Amazon or Etsy, print-on-demand businesses can reach customers who might not otherwise be able to find their products. This can help to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, and ultimately increase sales.
Another opportunity for print-on-demand businesses is the ability to collect and analyze data about your customers and their buying habits. By using tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel, you can track customer behavior, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions about your marketing and sales strategies. This can help you to optimize your website, improve your product offerings, and increase your conversion rates over time.
Of course, succeeding in e-commerce as a print-on-demand business requires more than just setting up a website and waiting for customers to come to you. To be successful, you need to invest in marketing and advertising, optimize your website for search engines, and provide a great customer experience. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
SEO
Invest in SEO: Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). By investing in SEO, you can increase your visibility online and attract more organic traffic to your website. One of the significant advantages of SEO is that it's a very cost-effective strategy. Unlike some paid advertising methods, SEO can provide sustainable results over time without the need for constant financial investment. According to the UNCTAD report, search engines are the most common starting point for online shopping, with 47% of online shoppers using them to find products. This highlights the importance of SEO for print-on-demand businesses looking to succeed in the e-commerce space.
Social media
Leverage social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be powerful tools for reaching new customers and building your brand. By creating engaging content and running targeted ads, you can reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website. According to the UNCTAD report, social media is the second most common starting point for online shopping, with 31% of online shoppers using it to find products.
Customer Experience
Provide a great customer experience: In the e-commerce space, customer experience is everything. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, your products are well-described and visually appealing, and your checkout process is smooth and hassle-free. Consider offering free shipping or other incentives to encourage customers to make a purchase. According to the UNCTAD report, 75% of online shoppers say that free shipping is a key factor in their decision to make a purchase.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the global e-commerce landscape is rapidly evolving, and print-on-demand businesses have a unique opportunity to capitalize on this trend. By leveraging e-commerce channels, collecting and analyzing data, and providing a great customer experience, print-on-demand businesses can reach new customers, increase sales, and grow their business over time. With the right strategies and tools in place, the sky's the limit for print-on-demand businesses in the e-commerce space.
source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.mediapost.com/uploads/groupmecommerceforecast.pdf
