E-Commerce

What Is Marketing Attribution: A Beginner’s Guide

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Marketing attribution is a data analysis process that looks at how different marketing and commercial strategies are translating into conversions. It involves gathering data from customers’ interactions across all used channels, including websites, emails, ads, and physical stores. Through this data analysis, businesses can discover which strategies are most successful in creating results for their company. This knowledge can then be used to optimize marketing efforts for greater return on investment (ROI). In this article, we’ll explore what marketing attribution is in more details, why companies should use it, which models there are, and which challenges you should be aware of.

What Is Marketing Attribution?

In today’s highly competitive digital environment, understanding exactly where marketing investments are paying off is essential for success. Knowing which campaigns or tactics are working best provides the necessary insights to make the most of a business’s spending and ensure that money is being allocated in the smartest and most efficient way possible. That’s where marketing attribution comes in – it helps companies accurately measure their investments and drive more leads as a result.

The traditional approach to measuring conversion optimization was last-click attribution, meaning that whatever channel or tactic was used right before a purchase would get credit for it. But this method ignores any valuable context that could have contributed to the conversion taking place in other channels further back in the funnel. With marketing attribution, companies are able to accurately track customer journeys across different touchpoints and understand what combination of strategies generate the highest ROI.

There are several different types of marketing attribution models that businesses commonly use today. These include single-touch (also known as first-touch), multi-touch (also called linear), time decay (sometimes referred to as U-shaped) and custom model (which combines aspects from multiple methods). Selecting the right model largely depends on factors such as budget size and business goals — some organizations may benefit more from using one type of model over another.

For example, multi-touch attribution gives weight to all touchpoints throughout the customer journey leading up to a sale — so if someone views an ad but then visits your website later before making a purchase, both touch points will get credit for that sale instead of just one or the other like with first-touch or single-touch models respectively. On the other hand, time decay models give less weight to initial interactions while giving more credence to those nearer when it comes time for conversion – so if someone viewed an ad two months prior but still made a purchase last week —the two month old view would still get its share of credit thanks to time decay modeling’s decay curve algorithm.

Regardless of which approach you take with your company’s marketing measurement plan – total visibility into customer journeys is essential for effectively tracking ROI and optimizing spending accordingly — thus making Marketing Attribution an invaluable tool when planning out campaigns or setting budgets alongside other metrics such as CTRs or CPCs (Cost per Click). As customers become increasingly mobile and multi-channel experiences continue to evolve – having actionable insights directly available will become critical in order stay ahead of competitors while continuing growth trajectory into new markets through effective strategy execution backed by accurate analytics.

Why Should Companies Implement Attribution Tools

Marketing attribution is an essential tool for companies looking to understand the effectiveness of their campaigns, strategies, and touchpoints. By gathering data on customers’ interactions across various channels, businesses can gain valuable insight into which strategies are providing the best return on investments (ROI) and how different tactics are influencing conversions. This allows them to optimize their spending for maximum efficiency and make sure that every dollar is being put to its best use.

Marketing attribution models provide organizations with an invaluable way to view performance information from all angles and better understand what tactics were used throughout each individual customers’ journey leading up to a conversion or sale. As mentioned above, there are several marketing attribution models that can be used, and all of them will be outlined in detail in the next section. But at the end of the day, whether a company uses attribution tools or not, having access to accurate insights into how certain strategies or campaigns contribute directly or indirectly towards sales or conversions is critical for companies looking stay ahead of their competitors in today’s constantly changing digital landscape. Thanks to marketing attribution tools — businesses can rest assured that they’re making informed decisions based on reliable data when it comes spending money or launching new initiatives — this allows them maximize every dollar spent and track ROI movements quickly & effectively resulting in greater success long term.

What Are The Most Used Marketing Attribution Models?

When it comes to analyzing marketing performance, attribution models are a critical tool for providing businesses with valuable insight into customer journeys and ROI. There are several different types of attribution models commonly used today, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses.

Single-Touch (Also Known As First-touch) Attribution

This model gives 100% credit for conversions to the initiating touchpoint – meaning only the channel or tactic used in the initial part of a journey prior to a purchase would get credit for it. This type of model is best suited for companies that have short sales cycles, or rely heavily on a few sources such as paid search or email campaigns as it simplifies the process by focusing only on the first point prior to conversion.

Last Touch Attribution

Unlike first-touch attribution, a last-touch model of credit assignment recognizes only the very most recent interaction between an individual and your business as solely responsible for conversion. Whether this exchange was clicking on an ad, viewing an email message, or engaging with social media content – whatever it is that they do just prior to converting is assumed to be the source of their decision.

Last-Touch attribution provides businesses an easy way to track and analyze customer behavior, which is especially important for companies with a quick turnover rate. Additionally, it’s relatively simple to implement and evaluate over time; perfect for those who need fundamental insight into their funnel process. Nevertheless, the complexity of modern digital marketing—where consumers are exposed to several ads across multiple channels prior conversion—makes Last-Touch somewhat inadequate in providing a comprehensive understanding of consumer habits.

Last Non-Direct Touch Attribution

A last-touch or first-touch attribution model might not be enough to understand the efficacy of your marketing channels, especially if you have a long and complex buying cycle. Last non-direct touch is Google Analytics’ default Attribution Model that does not assign any credit for conversions related to direct traffic such as manual URL entries or clicks from bookmarked links.

Just as with basic first-touch and last-touch attribution, this method allocates all of the credit to a single encounter. The difference here is that direct traffic isn’t seen as an accountable channel. Similarly to simple last-touch attribution, it does not give any recognition for prior interactions leading up to the final one, making it hard to comprehend the effect of your multichannel marketing plan. This model is perfect for products that are sold in a short period of time. Since direct traffic can be omitted, only clicks from marketing channels you have power over like paid and earned media will be assessed.

Multi-Touch (Also Called Linear) Attribution

This is another popular method which provides more visibility into customer interactions throughout multiple channels leading up to a sale or conversion. Every touchpoint receives some amount of credit rather than just one — so if someone viewed an ad but then visited your website later before making a purchase, both would receive some recognition instead of just one like with first-touch models. As such, this model can be useful for organizations that need to gain more clarity in regards to what tactics their customers interacted with during their buying journey .

Time Decay (Sometimes Referred To As U-Shaped) Attribution

This model is also very much in use today — it assigns less importance to initial interactions while giving more credence to those nearer when it comes time for conversion — so if someone viewed an ad two months prior but still made a purchase last week, the two month old view would still get its share of credit thanks to time decay modeling’s decay curve algorithm . It works well for customers who take longer timespans in between initial contact and the eventual sale since all touchpoints still receive some recognition regardless of when they occurred.

Position-Based Attribution

Following the presumption that a customer’s first and last interactions with your business will be most influential when it comes to conversion, position-based attribution assigns fixed credit for every conversion to those two points of contact. The remaining credit is then distributed equally among all other activities in between. This model makes it possible for you to track how each decision affects the customer journey and can help you optimize strategies for maximum results.

Companies that anticipate their leads to have multiple encounters with the brand before making a purchase will be greatly advantaged by this model. It captures both top- and bottom-of-funnel activities, which are essential for businesses with extended sales cycles – in addition to assigning some value to marketing efforts that regenerate curiosity or continue existing interaction. By utilizing this model, your business is given the best chance of success!

Custom Models Combining Aspects From Single, Multi & Time Decay Approaches

Creating customs models based on specific objectives & desired outcomes is also a way to go. They provide businesses greater flexibility when it comes measuring success since they can take multiple configurations into account while achieving desired results tailored exactly towards their needs .

At the end of the day, no matter what type of marketing attribution model a company chooses — having access to accurate insights into how certain strategies or campaigns contribute directly or indirectly towards sales or conversions is essential in order help them make decisions based on reliable data when it comes spending money or launching new initiatives — allowing them maximize every dollar spent and track ROI movements quickly & effectively resulting in greater success long term.

Main Challenges of Marketing Attribution

One common issue is data silos. Without an integrated platform that pulls together data from all channels (e.g., website visits, social media posts, emails, etc.), it can be difficult for businesses to gain a comprehensive view into each customers’ journey leading up to a conversion or sale — this makes it hard for companies to accurately measure ROI from different strategies and tactics . Additionally , some platforms may not track certain types of customer behavior or provide enough granular data for effective measurement – meaning some key insights may be left out when analyzing results & making decisions accordingly.

Another problem is that many campaigns don’t close in single customer journeys — visitors often come back multiple times before making a purchase, so understanding the full process requires tracking multiple individual paths simultaneously. In some cases, customers take months before deciding to convert — this further complicates matters and means that businesses need reliable systems in place which can trace & assign credit appropriately over long periods of time.

In addition, there is debate as to which model of marketing attribution should be used based on factors such as budget size and desired outcomes since different models emphasize various aspects in more detail than others —single-touch (also known as first-touch), multi-touch (also called linear), time decay (sometimes referred to as U-shaped), position-based and custom model (which combines aspects from multiple methods). Finding the most appropriate type for a particular business requires careful consideration depending on internal needs & goals.

Finally, companies must take care not to rely too heavily on just one metric when assessing performance since this could lead crucial details about customers’ buying behaviors being overlooked. It is important for organizations to consider all interactions across channels before jumping into conclusions — this includes looking at things such as page views, purchases made but not completed, cart abandonment rates and the like.

Overall, although challenging, utilizing marketing attribution tools can yield enormous benefits when done correctly — allowing companies measure ROI & refine spending habits effectively while gaining valuable insight into what combination of strategies generate the highest returns. This helps businesses stay ahead of their competition by investing smarter instead relying solely on guesswork or outdated simplified models and approaches.

The Growing Role of Virtual Reality in Ecommerce

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What is Virtual Reality and How Can It Be Used in Ecommerce?

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive environment that uses digital technologies to simulate physical objects and locations, creating an artificial 3D world. This technology has been used for years in gaming and entertainment, but it is now making its way into the ecommerce field. In this article, we will explore how virtual reality can be used to benefit ecommerce businesses, as well as the potential challenges they may face when implementing VR. There is no doubt, that virtual reality in ecommerce is growing, and will become much more prominent in the future. So the importance of brands to consider how to use this technology for both ecommerce and digital marketing is indeed growing.

The Benefits of VR for Ecommerce

Virtual reality has many potential benefits for ecommerce businesses. One of the main advantages of using VR is that it can create a more immersive shopping experience. For example, customers can easily view a product from multiple angles without having to physically move around or pick up the product. This can help customers make more informed decisions about their purchase. Additionally, VR can be used to create interactive experiences such as giving customers the ability to virtually try on products before buying them, thus eliminating any uncertainty about how something will look or fit on them. By creating virtual showrooms where people can explore products up close and personal, companies can make the buying process more engaging and appealing.

Another advantage of VR for ecommerce businesses is that it can reduce costs by reducing the need for physical store space and staff. Instead of having a shop with shelves filled with products, retailers can use virtual reality environments to showcase their goods. Furthermore, since everything takes place digitally via the internet, retailers don’t need to worry about stocking inventory or managing employees.

Advertising Through Virtual Reality

Immersive advertising is one of the most innovative ways companies are using VR today and this is indeed an avenue which will grow on a continuous basis. Instead of showing customers static ads, immersive ads allow them to interact directly with the product or service being advertised in real-time. This could involve experiencing what it’s like using the product or exploring different environments related to the brand itself; which all adds up to creating an unforgettable experience that’s sure to leave longer lasting impressions than traditional marketing tactics ever could.

Online marketeers have for the past few years been “stuck” with a certain set of marketing channels, which have in fact only gotten more expensive and complex over time. These channels have in particular been paid search marketing, paid shopping, paid social marketing, SEO, programmatic display marketing, referral marketing, e-mail marketing, affiliate marketing, influencer marketing, PR and offline marketing. Immersive advertising through virtual reality could be the next big channel that online marketeers will be exploring over time, but the pace of the usage will of course depend on the adoption of the overall industry. One thing is for certain, it will become a large marketing channel eventually – otherwise it doesn’t make any sense that Meta at this moment in time is deploying most of their resources on the Metaverse, which is a platform in which they expect a large part of their ad revenue to come from in the future.

Potential Challenges Faced When Implementing VR

While there are numerous benefits associated with implementing virtual reality in ecommerce business models, there are also some potential challenges that should be considered before taking the plunge into this new technology. Firstly, many users may not have access to appropriate hardware or software needed to take full advantage of the virtual reality experience offered by certain websites or platforms. Therefore businesses must consider strategies on how they intend to make these tools available to their customers if they choose to implement them in their operations. The overall digital infrastructure that we’re seeing in even the developed world has also not been ready for a large scale virtual reality ramp up in the past years; however, with the introduction of more AI technologies, a faster roll-out of 5G on a global basis, etc., we will see the adoption of the technology pace up in the coming years – more thoughts on the megatrends of 2023 can be found here.

In addition, there may also be unforeseen technical issues that arise when trying to integrate virtual reality into existing operating systems or frameworks which could lead to significant delays or financial losses if not addressed promptly. Finally, given that many users are still unfamiliar with how virtual reality works and its various applications due to its relative novelty compared other technologies currently available on the market today; companies may have difficulty convincing consumers about its value proposition compared other less expensive alternatives like traditional web-based shopping experiences..

Conclusion

While there are many benefits associated with utilizing virtual reality in ecommerce businesses such as increased immersion for customers and reduced overhead costs for retailers; there are also several challenges that must first be addressed such as accessibility issues related hardware/software availability and technical integration difficulties as well as consumer education concerns surrounding consumer awareness about this technology’s value proposition versus traditional methods of online shopping. Virtual Reality will become a large ecommerce channel – and digital marketing channel – on a prospective basis, but the pace completely depends on the consumer adoption speed of the technology and the associate software.

Top 20 Direct-To-Consumer (D2C) Brands To Follow in 2023

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Developing and launching Direct-To-Consumer (D2C) brands has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more consumers especially turning to the internet to purchase goods and services. As we move into 2023, there are a number of consumer brands (E-Commerce brands in particular) that have been doing well in the past years, and are worth keeping an eye on – especially if you are looking for references for how a good brand looks like. Some of the brands in the list have indeed been suffering on the stock market together with most tech brands out there throughout 2022, but that doesn’t change the fact that these have been through a fantastic growth journey in the past years, and are good references for how a brand should look and be positioned in order to be desirable. In this article, we will take a look at the top direct to consumer brands to follow in 2023. For insights on which megatrends to follow in 2023 in order to understand what will have an influence on prospective direct to consumer brands, please refer to the following article: The 10 Most Important Megatrends in 2023.

1. Glossier

Glossier is an iconic beauty brand that has quickly become one of the leading names in the industry. Founded by Emily Weiss in 2014, Glossier has taken the world of beauty by storm with its bold and empowering approach to self-expression. The brand’s philosophy is simple: celebrate your individuality and embrace who you are. You won’t find any drastic makeovers or heavy coverage here – just products that enhance your natural beauty. Their range includes everything from makeup to skincare and haircare, all designed with a focus on simplicity and effectiveness. What really sets Glossier apart from other brands is its commitment to transparency – they only use safe, non-toxic ingredients in their formulas, without any fragrance or synthetic fillers. They also offer full product information so customers know exactly what’s in each product before they buy it. Glossier has revolutionized the way we look at beauty, challenging traditional notions of perfection and celebrating personal style instead. With its range of easy-to-use products and refreshing outlook on beauty, Glossier continues to carve out a unique space for itself as a go-to source for effortless glamour. They began as ‘Into The Gloss’ – a celebrated website where people could share their favorite cosmetics and inspire others in the process. Since then, they’ve grown into what you know them as today – delivering uncompromising quality at every turn! Glosser is definitely one of the top direct to consumer brands to follow in 2023.

2. Allbirds

Allbirds is a sustainable, B-Corp certified shoe brand that has gained a following for its comfortable and eco-friendly shoes. The brand was founded in 2016 by Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger and is known for its comfortable and eco-friendly shoes, which are made from natural materials such as merino wool and eucalyptus tree fibers. Allbirds has gained strong traction for its focus on sustainability and its commitment to creating high-quality and stylish shoes. They offer a wide range of shoes, including sneakers, loafers, and sandals. The brand is popular for its minimalistic design and its focus on comfort, making it perfect for everyday wear. Allbirds products are available online, and they also have a few physical stores in the US and abroad. As more consumers become conscious of the impact their purchases have on the environment, Allbirds is expected to continue to have a strong position in the market in the coming years.

3. Warby Parker

Warby Parker is an eyewear brand that has gained traction for its stylish and affordable optical glasses and sunglasses. The company focuses on classic silhouettes and modern designs for both men’s and women’s collections. They also use innovative technology to ensure that their glasses always look great on every face shape. Warby Parker’s virtual try-on tool allows customers to see how different frames will look on them before they even leave their house – making it much easier to find the perfect pair of glasses quickly and easily. In addition to stylish eyewear, Warby Parker is committed to giving back. The company believes in social responsibility and has created a number of initiatives that focus on various causes around the world. They also donate one pair of glasses for every pair sold as part of their Buy A Pair, Give A Pair program, which helps give vision care to those who need it most. The company started as an online D2C brand but now boasts around 160 physical retail store locations across North America. Ninety percent of their sales are conducted through these brick-and-mortar stores.

4. Peloton

Peloton is the ultimate home fitness experience. Offering a range of workout classes and instructional videos, Peloton makes exercise accessible to all. With everything from yoga and strength training to running classes, you can get an effective workout without ever having to leave your home. Peloton also provides a range of smart equipment designed to make your workouts more efficient and enjoyable. Their signature interactive bike allows you to follow along with live instructor-led classes, while their innovative treadmills come with touchscreens that let you join in on different activities like virtual races or interactive workouts. In addition to their equipment and video classes, Peloton provides a range of additional services such as nutrition tracking and personal coaching. The app also lets you track your progress over time so you can see how far your workouts have taken you. Although the brand have struggled on the stock market throughout 2022, the brand is well positioned as more people look to improve their health and fitness through home gym equipment.

5. ThirdLove

ThirdLove is a revolutionary lingerie brand that designs and manufactures bras, underwear, and loungewear with comfort and fit as its top priority. Founded in 2013 by Heidi Zak and David Spector, ThirdLove has revolutionized the lingerie industry with its use of innovative technology to design products based on a woman’s individual body shape. Using state-of-the-art FitFinder Technology, customers can take a 60-second quiz to find the perfectly fitted bra for their unique body type. The quizzes are quick and easy, covering size and shape preferences – such as band size, cup size, coverage levels and skin tone – so customers can get an ideal fit without ever having to try on anything. The company is expected to continue to expand in 2023, as more consumers look for comfortable and well-fitting lingerie options.

6. Oura

Oura is a revolutionary health and wellness brand that is making waves in the industry. Founded in 2013, Oura has worked to create products that make it easier than ever for people to take control of their health and well-being. The key to Oura’s success lies in its innovative technology – the company has developed a range of wearable rings that are equipped with sensors to track your vital signs. These rings provide valuable insights into your health, from sleep patterns and activity levels to heart rate and respiration rate. The data collected by these rings is then analyzed using AI algorithms to create personalized insights about your health and lifestyle. With this data, Oura can give users actionable tips on how to improve their overall performance, as well as advice on how to maintain good habits for optimal wellbeing. What sets Oura apart from other fitness trackers on the market is its comprehensive approach – rather than simply tracking steps or calories burned, it looks at the whole picture when it comes to our health and provides valuable insights tailored specifically for each user. With its cutting-edge technology, Oura is revolutionizing the way we manage our health!

7. Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway is a unique online service that helps consumers look fabulous without having to spend a lot of money. This innovative company offers a wide range of designer apparel and accessories for both women and men, with items available to rent for anywhere from four days to eight weeks. Rent the Runway has revolutionized how people shop for special occasions. The website features collections from some of the world’s top designers in everyday fashion as well as luxury pieces for formal events. Customers are able to search by occasion, color, size, length, price and more, making it easier than ever to find the perfect outfit. They also provide styling tips and recommendations so you can be sure your outfit will turn heads wherever you go. As more people look for sustainable and cost-effective fashion options, Rent the Runway is positioned well for the years to come.

8. Kylie Cosmetics

Kylie Jenner created a buzz with the launch of her cosmetics business, Kylie Cosmetics. On November 30th 2015, she started selling out liquid lipstick and lip liner kits known as “Kylie Lip Kits.” After its initial success, the company was rebranded to Kylie Cosmetics – quickly becoming an award-winning beauty line that continues to expand into new territories around the world. In 2018, Forbes estimated the company’s worth to be around $800 million. However, one year later that number had grown to $900 million; Coty Inc. then stepped in and purchased a majority stake of 51%, valuing the company at an impressive amount of just under 1.2 billion dollars! Unfortunately, recent documentation from their deal with Coty exposed Kylie Cosmetics as having overvalued themselves by quite a bit – according to what was reported by Forbes early this year.

9. Hims

Hims is a men’s health and grooming company. Founded in 2013, their goal was to make it easier for men to access the services they need without having to leave the house. Their product line includes products such as hair loss treatments, skincare, vitamins, sexual health products, and more. They offer a subscription model that allows users to get their products automatically delivered each month. They also have an online store where customers can buy individual items. Hims provides easy-to-follow instructions on how to use their products correctly, as well as informative articles on various topics related to male health. Its impact goes beyond physical enhancements – Hims has the potential to restore confidence as well! It’s in their DNA to treat peoples self-esteem as part of their overall wellbeing too.

10. Chamberlain Coffee

Behind the success of YouTube star Emma Chamberlain, lies a sustainable coffee brand with impeccable quality – Chamberlain Coffee – a brand that can absolutely been seen as a top direct to consumer brand to follow in 2023.. Sourced organically and locally in California without any pesticides included. This unique roasting process only adds to its distinct taste available either as single-serve bags, instant sticks or both ground and whole bean options. Best of all is that each flavor has an accompanying character representing different personalities so everyone’s cravings are fulfilled. Not only does Chamberlain Coffee offer exquisite products such as their beloved Matcha, Cocoa Grizzly Hot Chocolate and popular Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, but they are also dedicated to secure the food security of coffee-farming families in Latin America through Food4Farmers. With their 5x sold-out Matcha blend for example, this brand demonstrates that quality is more important than quantity! The brand has been on a fantastic growth journey, and did in 2022 raise 7m USD in Series A.

11. Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices is an activewear brand that was founded in 2013 by Tyler Haney. The brand is known for its comfortable and stylish clothing, which is designed for a variety of activities such as running, yoga, and hiking. Outdoor Voices has gained a following for its focus on inclusivity and body positivity, as well as its commitment to sustainability. The brand offers a wide range of products for both men and women, including leggings, shorts, t-shirts, sports bras and more. Outdoor Voices has several physical stores in the US and their products are also available online.

12. Brooklinen

Brooklinen is a bedding and home goods brand that was founded in 2014 by Vicki and Rich Fulop. The brand is known for its comfortable and affordable bedding products, including sheets, comforters, pillows and more. Brooklinen has gained a following for its focus on high-quality, affordable bedding and its commitment to sustainable practices. They also offer a selection of home goods such as towels, rugs and loungewear. The brand is popular for its simple and minimalistic design, which goes well with any bedroom decor. Brooklinen products are available online and in some physical stores in the US.

13. Rothy’s

Rothy’s is a sustainable shoe brand that was founded in 2012 by Roth Martin and Stephen Hawthornwaite. The brand is known for its comfortable and eco-friendly shoes, which are made from recycled plastic water bottles. Similarly to Allbirds, Rothy’s has gained traction for its focus on sustainability and its commitment to creating high-quality and stylish shoes. They offer a wide range of shoes, including flats, loafers, sneakers and more. The brand is also known for its customization options, which allows customers to create their own shoes by choosing a color, print and other options. Rothy’s products are available online, and they also have a few physical stores in the US. As more consumers become conscious of the impact their purchases have on the environment, Rothy’s is expected to continue to see strong growth in the coming year.

14. Birchbox

Birchbox is an online subscription service that delivers personalized beauty and grooming products to customers on a monthly basis. The company was founded in 2010 by Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna and it is known for its focus on personalization and convenience. Birchbox offers a monthly subscription service where customers receive a box of personalized beauty and grooming samples, chosen based on their individual preferences. Customers can also purchase full-size versions of the products they received in the sample boxes. The company has a wide range of products for both men and women, from skincare, makeup, haircare to grooming products. Birchbox has a strong online presence and it also has a few physical stores in the US.

15. Native

Native is a fast growing player in the skincare industry which was founded by Moiz Ali in 2015. Just two years after its launch, Procter & Gamble acquired the brand for $100 million USD. At Native, they believe that natural ingredients are the key to beautiful skin. That’s why they use only safe, non-toxic ingredients in their formulas. Their products contain powerful active ingredients that help improve tone, texture and clarity while also nourishing and hydrating skin. They started off with deodorants, but has since expanded into various skincare categories. They do now offer a range of topical solutions for all skin types, from cleansers and moisturizers to masks and facial oils. What sets Native apart from other brands is their commitment to sustainability. All of their products are made with certified organic and wild harvested ingredients that are sustainably sourced from around the world. Their packaging is also eco-friendly, using recyclable materials where possible. As more consumers become conscious of the ingredients in their personal care products, Native is well positioned to grow further in the coming years.

16. Ritual

Ritual is an innovative vitamin company that puts personal health first. They focus on ethically sourced and scientifically backed ingredients, meaning their supplements are free from fillers or artificial additives. Ritual provides its customers with an incredible range of formulas for every lifestyle. With options for women’s health, men’s health, children’s health and more, there’s something for everyone to choose from. They also have special packages available depending on your age and specific needs like brain performance or joint support. What sets Ritual apart from other brands is their commitment to transparency. All of their products are formulated with a ‘smart nutrient complex’ which means you can trust the quality of their ingredients. On top of that, they provide detailed information on their website about what goes into each formula so you know exactly what you’re taking. If you’re looking for high-quality vitamins that are backed by science and made with real food-based ingredients, then Ritual is a good option. Their scientifically backed formulas are designed to help improve overall health and wellness – giving you peace of mind knowing that your supplement choice is both safe and effective!

17. ButcherBox

Butcherbox is a meat delivery service that brings the finest quality of all-natural, humanely-raised meats right to your door. Their mission is to make it easier for everyone to access delicious, healthy and ethically-sourced proteins. All the beef, pork and chicken they offer is free from antibiotics and added hormones, meaning you can be sure that whatever you’re getting has been sustainably sourced. What sets Butcherbox apart from other food delivery services is their commitment to quality. They carefully curate every box so that each one contains only the finest cuts of meat – ensuring that you’re getting the absolute best for your money. On top of that, they now offer grass-fed options as well as wild caught seafood for those who want even more nutritious options. With their dedication to ethical practices and commitment to providing customers with only the best ingredients available, they’ve made it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy truly delicious meals.

18. Curology

Curology is a personalized skincare service that is revolutionizing the way people approach their skin health. The company provides customized formulas to meet individuals’ personal skincare needs, with each prescription crafted by their team of board-certified dermatologists. What makes Curology stand out from other skincare brands is their commitment to providing holistic solutions that work for everyone’s individual needs and goals. They offer a range of products, including cleansers, serums, eye creams and more, tailored specifically to your skin type and condition. Their mission is not only to make sure customers are using the best possible products for their skin but also help them understand the science behind skincare. All of the products they send out come with detailed information about how to use them effectively as well as an explanation of why certain ingredients were chosen for specific areas. Curology has made it easier than ever before to find tailored skincare solutions that work for you. From treating acne or reducing wrinkles to brightening uneven tone, their customizable packages have something to improve everyone’s complexion – no matter your age or skin type!

19. Florence By Mills

Florence By Mills is an innovative skincare brand that offers clean, vegan-friendly solutions to enhance and protect your complexion. Similarly to Kylie Cosmetics and Chamberlain Coffee, Florence By Mills in built by a hyped talent, this one being Millie Bobby Brown. The range is designed for young adults who are looking to take care of their skin without compromising their values. The brand’s core philosophy is simple – take care of yourself and be kind to your body. Their products are made with natural ingredients, free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances. Each formula is thoughtfully crafted with nourishing plant-based extracts like aloe vera and jojoba oil to soothe and hydrate skin while also delivering powerful results. What really sets Florence By Mills apart from other brands on the market is its commitment to honest representation and good vibes – something which comes through in every aspect of their branding. From the cheerful pastel packaging to the fun product names (think ‘Glow Yeah!’ moisturizer), it’s clear that the team behind this brand puts a lot of thought into making sure everyone feels represented and included. It’s well on its way to becoming a leader in this space as more and more customers discover how much easier it can make taking great care of their skin!

20. Wayfair

Wayfair is an online furniture brand that offers a wide selection of stylish, high-quality items for the home. With everything from sofas and beds to dining tables and chairs, Wayfair makes it easy to find exactly what consumers are looking for, for their homes. All of their products are designed with both practicality and aesthetics in mind, ensuring that the customers get something that looks great as well as being comfortable and durable. Wayfair’s prices are competitive, making it easy to furnish your entire home without breaking the bank. The website also provides useful design tools such as visualization tools so you can get an idea of how your chosen product will look in a space before the purchase takes place. The company has seen significant growth in recent years, especially during the pandemic when families all across US looked to upgrade their homes with good looking, comfortable furniture.

How To Do Online Marketing in Japan: A Simple Guide

Categories Digital Marketing, E-Commerce in Asia, Internationalization, Paid Social Media MarketingLeave a Comment on How To Do Online Marketing in Japan: A Simple Guide

Entering an Asian marketing can seem overwhelming for many, and online advertising in Asia is indeed different from online advertising in Europe and the US in several different ways. These differences can be attributed to cultural, economic, and technological factors that vary between the two regions. In this article, I’ll outline the largest differences between advertising in Asia and Europe/US, what to consider when advertising in Japan, and how the largest social network in Japan (Line) can be used for advertising.

How does advertising differ between Asian and Europe/US?

One of the biggest differences between online advertising in Asia and Europe/US is the level of mobile usage. In Asia, mobile usage is higher than in Europe and the US, with many consumers relying on their smartphones as their primary means of accessing the internet. This means that businesses in Asia need to focus on mobile-optimized advertising, such as mobile-friendly websites and mobile apps. In contrast, in Europe, desktop usage is still more prevalent, therefore advertisers may also focus on website advertising and less on mobile-optimized advertising.

Another key difference between online advertising in Asia and Europe/US is the platforms and channels that are popular in each region. In Asia, social media platforms such as WeChat, Line, and KakaoTalk are widely used, while in Europe and the US, Facebook and Instagram are the most popular. Additionally, e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and Rakuten are popular in Asia, while Amazon and eBay are more popular in Europe. These differences mean that businesses in Asia need to focus on advertising on these local platforms, whereas businesses in Europe and the US have more options and can also focus on global platforms.

Cultural differences also play a role in online advertising in Asia and Europe/US. In Asia, advertisements tend to be more subtle and rely on building trust with consumers over time. In contrast, in Europe, advertisements tend to be more direct and focused on creating a sense of urgency. Additionally, in Asia, it is important to respect cultural norms and be aware of the social and economic climate when creating ads, whereas in Europe and the US, the cultural differences are not as significant.

Language is also an important consideration in online advertising in Asia. Many Asian countries have their own languages, and businesses need to ensure that their advertisements are translated and localized to effectively reach their target audience. In Europe and the US, there are many languages but most of them are spoken in small regions, whereas in Asia, there are fewer languages but spoken by a larger population. In Europe and the US, most people do also communicate in English, meaning that you can target consumers across various marketing with English ads – this is not possible to the same extent in Asia.

What is important to consider when doing advertising in Japan?

Online marketing in Japan is a rapidly growing industry, with businesses of all sizes leveraging the internet to reach consumers. The main online marketing channels in Japan include search engines, social media, e-commerce marketplaces, and e-mail marketing.

Search engines are one of the most popular online marketing channels in Japan, with Google being the most widely used search engine. Businesses can use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve their search engine rankings and drive more traffic to their websites organically, or by doing PPC advertising on the search engines. Yahoo is, however, also widely used in Japan, meaning that you should ideally be using both search engines to get the full reach of the population through this respective channel.

Social media is another popular online marketing channel in Japan, with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram being widely used. Businesses can use social media to engage with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive website traffic. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are also popular among the younger generations. However, Line, a messaging app, is commonly used in Japan and can be utilized for businesses’ messaging and customer service. This is the most locale social network in Japan that you should be aware of, and should be a channel that you explore from the very beginning if you are to enter the Japanese market.

E-commerce marketplaces is also a key online marketing channel in Japan if you’re optimizing for visibility, with platforms such as Rakuten and Yahoo! Shopping being widely used. These platforms allow businesses to sell their products directly to consumers, and can be an effective way to increase sales and revenue. E-commerce websites can also be used to gather customer data, which can be used to improve marketing strategies.

E-mail marketing is another popular online marketing channel in Japan, with open-rate and click-through rates being higher than what you on average see in Europe and the US. Businesses can use e-mail marketing to stay in touch with customers and promote new products or services. E-mail marketing can be used to create targeted campaigns, which can be segmented based on demographics, purchase history, or other data.

In addition, Influencer Marketing has recently grown in popularity in Japan. Many Japanese consumers trust influencers and celebrities more than what you see in European countries and the US, so brands often collaborate with them to promote their products and services. Influencers can create sponsored content, review products, and host giveaways, which can help to increase brand awareness and drive sales.

Overall, online marketing in Japan is a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry, with new technologies and channels emerging all the time. Businesses can use a combination of these channels to reach and engage with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales. However, it is important to note that each channel has its own unique set of benefits and challenges and it is important to select the right channels based on the target audience, budget, and goals of the campaign. Line and Yahoo! are the two largest, local platforms that you should be aware of, and in the next section I’ll also add a small deep dive on how you can use Line for advertising.

Different ways to use Line for promoting your business

Line is a popular messaging app in Japan, with over 81 million active users. As such, it has become an important platform for businesses to reach their target audience. Here are some ways businesses can use Line for advertising in Japan.

  1. Line Sticker Ads: Line offers businesses the opportunity to create and promote their own stickers, which are animated images that can be used in conversations. These stickers can be used to promote a brand or product, and can be a fun and engaging way to reach users.
  2. Line Official Account: Line also allows businesses to create an official account, which users can follow to receive updates and promotions from the business. This can be a great way to build a following and stay in touch with customers.
  3. Line Live: Line Live is a live streaming feature that allows businesses to connect with their audience in real-time. This can be a great way to showcase products, host Q&A sessions, or provide behind-the-scenes access to a business.
  4. Line Ads: Line also offers a variety of ad formats, such as sponsored messages, home screen ads, and sponsored stickers. These ads can be targeted to specific demographics, interests, or behaviors, and can be a great way to drive sales or website traffic.
  5. Line Campaigns: Businesses can also create campaigns on Line, which can include a combination of different ad formats, such as stickers, official accounts, and sponsored messages. These campaigns can be used to promote a specific product or event, and can be a great way to reach a large audience.

It is important to note that Line’s advertising platform is only available in Japan, so businesses outside of the country will not be able to advertise through the platform. Additionally, Line’s advertising platform is only available in Japanese, so it is important for businesses to have a good understanding of the language and culture in order to effectively reach their target audience.

In conclusion, Line is a powerful advertising platform in Japan that can be used to reach a large and engaged audience. Whether through Line Sticker Ads, Line Official Accounts, Line Live, Line Ads, or Line Campaigns, businesses can use the platform to promote their brand and drive sales. However, it is important to understand the language and culture of Japan and tailor your strategy to the local market.

How To Optimize Your E-Commerce Website Speed

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Website speed is a critical factor in e-commerce, as it can significantly impact a business’s bottom line. A fast-loading website can lead to increased conversion rates, higher customer satisfaction, and better search engine rankings. On the other hand, a slow website can lead to lost sales, frustrated customers, and poor search engine visibility. In this article, we will go through how to optimize your e-commerce website speed by first exploring the importance of website speed in e-commerce and how businesses can optimize their website to improve performance.

Enhanced Conversion Rates

First, let’s look at the impact of website speed on conversion rates. A study by Akamai Technologies found that a delay of just one second in page load time can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions. This means that a business with a website that takes 5 seconds to load could be losing 35% of potential sales due to slow page load times. Additionally, a study by Google found that 53% of mobile users will leave a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. This highlights the importance of website speed for businesses that want to convert visitors into customers.

Improved Customer Satisfaction

Website speed also plays a role in customer satisfaction. A slow-loading website can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction among customers. This can lead to negative reviews, social media complaints, and a decrease in brand loyalty. On the other hand, a fast-loading website can lead to a positive customer experience, which can lead to increased brand loyalty and repeat customers.

Better Search Visibility

Finally, website speed is a critical factor in search engine optimization (SEO). Google and other search engines use website speed as a ranking factor in their algorithms. This means that a fast-loading website is more likely to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs), while a slow-loading website is more likely to be buried in the SERPs. This can lead to a decrease in organic traffic, which can significantly impact a business’s bottom line.

So, how can businesses optimize their website speed? Here are a few tips:

  1. Optimize images: Images can take up a significant amount of space on a website and can slow down page load times. Optimizing images by reducing their file size can significantly improve website speed.
  2. Use a content delivery network (CDN): A CDN can help to distribute website content across multiple servers, which can help to reduce page load times.
  3. Minimize the use of scripts and plugins: Scripts and plugins can add functionality to a website, but they can also slow down page load times. Minimizing the use of scripts and plugins can help to improve website speed.
  4. Use a website speed testing tool: There are various website speed testing tools available, such as Google PageSpeed Insights, that can help businesses identify issues that are impacting website speed.
  5. Keep software and plugins updated: Outdated software and plugins can also slow down website speed. Keeping software and plugins updated can help to improve performance.
  6. Optimize the code: Optimizing the code of the website can help to improve the website speed.

In conclusion, website speed is a critical factor in e-commerce. A fast-loading website can lead to increased conversion rates, higher customer satisfaction, and better search engine rankings. On the other hand, a slow website can lead to lost sales, frustrated customers, and poor search engine visibility. Businesses can optimize their website speed by optimizing images, using a content delivery network, minimizing the use of scripts and plugins, using website speed testing tools, keeping software and plugins updated and optimizing the code. By taking the time to optimize website speed, businesses can improve their bottom line and provide a better customer experience.

10 E-Commerce Trends You Need To Know In 2023

Categories E-Commerce, E-Commerce Optimization, EntrepreneurshipLeave a Comment on 10 E-Commerce Trends You Need To Know In 2023

E-commerce has been on the rise for years, and the trend is expected to continue in 2023. As more and more consumers turn to the internet to shop, businesses are adapting to meet the demands of the digital marketplace. Here are a few e-commerce trends to watch for in 2023.

1. Increased focus on mobile optimization

With more and more people using their smartphones to browse and shop online on a global basis, businesses will need to ensure that their websites and apps are optimized for mobile devices. This means that websites will need to be designed with a mobile-first approach, and apps will need to be designed with a user-friendly interface, even in developing markets where the focus has been higher on desktop historically.

2. Personalization

In 2023, businesses will increasingly use data to personalize the shopping experience for customers. This can include things like personalized product recommendations, targeted persona marketing, and customized pricing. By using data to personalize the shopping experience, businesses can increase customer engagement and loyalty.

3. Social commerce

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are becoming more and more popular as a way to shop – within the platforms. In 2023, businesses will look to capitalize on this trend by using social media platforms to sell their products directly to consumers. This can include things like “shoppable posts” on Instagram and TikTok, which allow users to buy products directly from the app.

4. Same-day delivery:

As e-commerce continues to grow, consumers will demand faster delivery times. In 2023, we can expect to see more businesses offering same-day delivery as a way to meet this demand. This will require businesses to invest in logistics and delivery infrastructure, such as warehouses and delivery networks in close proximity to the users.

5. Augmented reality:

Augmented reality (AR) technology is becoming more and more sophisticated, and businesses will look to use it to enhance the shopping experience in 2023. This can include things like virtual try-on for clothing and makeup, as well as virtual tours of real estate properties.

6. Voice commerce:

With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, voice commerce is expected to become more prevalent in 2023. This will allow consumers to make purchases using just their voice, making shopping more convenient and hands-free.

7. Subscription-based models:

Subscription-based models have been growing in popularity in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. This can include things like subscription boxes, where customers receive a monthly box of curated products, as well as subscription-based streaming services.

8. Artificial Intelligence:

As AI technology gets more sophisticated, businesses will use it to improve the customer experience by personalizing product recommendations and automating customer service.

9. Larger branding investments:

Since performance marketing has become very complex and expensive compared to just a few years ago, there will now be a much larger focus on brand building, as companies need to be able to convert more expensive online traffic, more efficiently and effectively. Building and growing a D2C brand from scratch through pure ‘cheap’ performance marketing that allows you to get a large reach is no longer an options – and people have also become too fed up with simple D2C brands that doesn’t have a deeper brand narrative that goes beyond the standard price / quality narrative.

10. Customer retention:

Since it has becoming expensive to acquire new customers due to the increased marketing costs, and all the other targeting and tracking challenges, which have become more profound in the past years, it is now more important than ever that the customer lifetime value of your customers are to increase. Becoming profitable on the first order is quite complex nowadays, so it will become important for companies to figure out how they can increase the retention rate of their customers, thereby also increasing the customer lifetime value. This usually happens by facilitating repeat purchases of the same products, or by having a larger assortment, or more categories, that customers can purchase on a continuous basis.

Overall, the e-commerce industry is expected to continue to grow in 2023, and businesses will need to adapt to meet the demands of the digital marketplace. This will include things like mobile optimization, personalization, social commerce, same-day delivery, augmented reality, voice commerce, subscription-based models, AI integration, more branding focus and further investments in customer retention. As technology and consumer behavior continue to evolve, businesses will need to be agile and stay ahead of the curve in order to remain competitive.

The Case for Incorporating More Marketplaces in Your Marketing Mix in 2022

Categories Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, General Marketing, InternationalizationLeave a Comment on The Case for Incorporating More Marketplaces in Your Marketing Mix in 2022

If there is one thing the last couple of years in Digital Marketing has taught us, it is that relying solely on one or two marketing channels, is a bad (and potentially disastrous) business strategy.

Therefore, one must not sit and wait until CPC and CPM prices on marketing channels reach the sky, but rather consistently and vigorously test and explore alternatives to the already established marketing channels. Otherwise, what will eventually happen is that your margins will become their margins, due to the very nature of the auction-based systems.

The purpose of this post is to introduce you to a variety of marketplaces that can be incorporated into your marketing mix to both fuel growth and make your business less dependent on the big advertisement players in e-commerce (Facebook, Google, Amazon).

The Case for Online Marketplaces – in General

First and foremost, let’s take a look at why being present on online marketplaces (Amazon included) can be highly beneficial for your brand in the first place.

  • 47% of digital purchases worldwide happened via online marketplace platforms. (Statista)
  • 14% of consumers would prefer to shop at an online marketplace for a first-time purchase. (Statista)
  • 37% would prefer to make repeat purchase at an online marketplace. (Statista

Now that shall be enough to convince any e-commerce owner or marketeer that taking a closer look at online marketplaces may not be a bad idea.

4 Online Marketplaces to Look Into Today (Amazon excluded)

ASOS

With distribution in over 235 countries and over 1650 brands listed on the platform, ASOS is very interesting marketplace to look into for fast-fashion brands. The median price of all brands on ASOS is USD $26, making it lucrative for brands those audience is looking for fast-fashion. The top categories on ASOS is jumpsuits, accesories, and shorts

Zalando

Another lucrative marketplace in the fashion space is the most visited marketplace in Europe with an average of 380 million visitors per month, namely Zalando. Although they are “only” distributing to 17 countries, the median price is relatively higher than on ASOS, at USD $48. The top categories on Zalando are shoes, dresses, and jumpsuits

Zalora

If you are looking for a stronger presence in the East, Zalora might just the marketplace you are looking for. It is the biggest marketplace in Southeast Asia and serve an average of 2 million customers month. They offer a wide range of categories from sportswear, fast fashion, to ethnicwear. The median price is at the same level of ASOS, at USD $26

Ebay

Moving a bit out of the fashion category, there is the second largest marketplace in the world, namely Ebay. The platform was initially focused on auctions and peer-to-peer selling, before transitioning to a model of online shopping similar to Amazon. The best-selling categories on Ebay is mobile phones & accesories, video games, health & beauty, and home & garden – so there is definately an opportunity to grab for brands in categories other than fashion here.

On a final note, there are many more marketplaces out here, and there is surely one or multiple marketplaces which your brand can benefit from – even though your product might serve a very niche category. As with everything else, remember to do your own research on the marketplaces and make sure that you are choosing the ones which are right for your business.

10 Largest International Online Marketplaces For Selling Your Products Globally

Categories Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, General Marketing, InternationalizationLeave a Comment on 10 Largest International Online Marketplaces For Selling Your Products Globally

Before the COVID-19 epidemic, internet marketplaces were already thriving, and they’ve only accelerated their growth since. According to a recent survey, 62.5% of global online spending occurred on international marketplaces like Amazon and eBay last year.

If you want to sell items online internationally, you have never had a better time. From personal skincare and cosmetics to apparel, interior design and electronics, there is a market for virtually everything you might want to offer online through marketplaces.

In this publication, we’ll look at some of the greatest international marketplaces to sell your items as well as how you can make the most of your efforts.

Are you unsure where to begin your search for the best global ecommerce marketplace? Let’s take a look at some of the industry’s major players. Even if none of them are suitable for you, you’ll have a point of reference to build on.

1. Amazon

Amazon is the most well-known E-Commerce marketplace in the United States, pulling in more than $125 billion in revenue during the last quarter of 2020. Amazon provides a large delivery range for selling internationally by having an amazing shipping infrastructure that sends to over 100 countries across the world. The marketplace also has various local stores, allowing you to target consumers in specific markets through a more localized approach. They do, as an example, have a website for Japan (www.amazon.co.jp), for France (www.amazon.fr) and for Mexico (www.amazon.com.mx), meaning that using the standard .com isn’t necessarily the only way to go.

Amazon provides a variety of tools to assist sellers. You may fulfill orders yourself or choose Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and have Amazon handle all product storage, packing, and shipping for you. You also have international sales management tools, such as tax collection.

2. eBay

While Amazon is the most well-known online shopping site, eBay is the second largest internal marketplace in the United States. While it lacks the same number of followers as Amazon, if you’re selling niche items that are meant to appeal to consumers who frequent eBay as their preferred market, this might be useful. The demographics on which eBay thrives include people

One of the benefits of selling on eBay is that fees are lower than those charged by other global marketplaces, making the platform ideal for businesses on a tight budget. On average, eBay’s fees amount to 10% to 15% of your total sales volume.

3. Cdiscount

Cdiscount is a rapidly expanding France-based online market that now has ten million active users. Vendors may use it to establish a shop with no start-up costs and no sales restrictions. In addition, you can list new and used items in various categories, with no limit on the number of goods in your catalog.

Cdiscount provides on-demand fulfillment where you deliver the items to their warehouses when a new purchase is made. The company then sends the order through its logistics system in 24 hours. Cdiscount is a fantastic choice for internet retailers looking to expand into France because of all this.

4. Zalando

Zalando is a German ecommerce firm with operations in 23 different nations throughout Europe. Fashion is the most popular area for Zalando’s online marketplaces, which offer a diverse range of items in many categories.

Zalando also has a professional, multilingual support staff to assist with seller registration. Shop setup and product listing are straightforward and quick with their help. Merchants may use Zalando Fulfillment Services (ZFS) to tap into Zalando’s global connections, expertise, and markets. ZFS is composed of comprehensive warehouse locations across Europe and has logistics and operations partners in various European countries.

5. Rakuten

Rakuten is an e-commerce company that sells to over a billion clients worldwide and operates in more than two dozen nations. As a result, it has earned the moniker “the Amazon of Japan.” Rakuten has a number of features that set it apart from other foreign marketplaces.

R-mail – Rakuten’s proprietary e-mail tool – helps sellers create and maintain relationships with buyers globally so that they can become loyal customers over time. The site offers a help center with an ecommerce consultant who can assist you in your seller’s journey. The marketplace also has a cashback program called Super Points that may help boost customer loyalty on the site.

6. T-Mall

T-Mall, a subsidiary of the E-Commerce website Taobao, was founded in 2008 under the Alibaba Group. Its primary target market is B2C (Business to Consumer). T-Mall’s goal is bold and prudent, as the platform allows both Chinese and non-Chinese firms to sell their items in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. T-Mall distinguishes out from the competition thanks to its rigorous standards for quality and reputation.

When we consider the rankings of China’s top websites based on traffic volume, it is apparent that T-Mall leads the pack, even compared to China’s most popular search engine, Baidu. Chinese consumers spend an average of 7 minutes per day using the app, which is more than twice as long as they spend on JD.com, which is one of T-Mall’s major competitors in China.

7. Flipkart

Flipkart is a prominent ecommerce business in India that made $4.6 billion in revenue in October 2021. The site began as an online bookstore before expanding into other product categories like apparel, furniture, grocery, and travel.

Flipkart offers a number of reasons to sell on its market. It has a simple user interface and charges nothing to set up a merchant profile. When you list an item, you may reach out to over 200 million users. You won’t have to worry about how you’re going to deliver items to your clients when you sell on Flipkart. Flipkart’s fulfillment network of 10,000 delivery agents and 200+ pick-up locations guarantees quick delivery of your items while also allowing you to protect yourself from losses through its Seller Protection coverage.

8. Mercado Libre

The most popular ecommerce platform in Latin America is Mercado Libre. Mercado Libre receives over 650 million monthly visits, with Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico accounting for 80% of those visits, according to a Web Retailer study.

Mercado Libre is an all-around internet store that features a wide range of items. It enables merchants to sell products in more than 150 categories, including fashion, electronics, sports goods, house and garden, and smartphones and accessories. It is possible for foreign companies to take payments in US dollars and provide services in local currency. Accepted members of Mercado Libre’s Global Selling program can receive these benefits and more by listing and collecting payments in US dollars.

9. Lazada

Lazada is a major online marketplace in Southeast Asia that was established in 2012. It is available in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

As the leader in the E-Commerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia, Lazada has 155,000 merchants and 3,000 brands serving more than 550 million consumers through its marketplace platform. With more than 300 million SKUs available, Lazada has the most comprehensive selection of goods in numerous categories including consumer electronics, household items, toys, fashion, sports equipment, and food.

10. Blibli

Blibli is one of the most popular online marketplaces in Indonesia, with thousands of items available to purchasers from across 15 different categories. Because to its emphasis on selling genuine, branded items, it’s recognized for being a reliable vendor.

Blibli has a worldwide seller program to assist international vendors expand their operations in Indonesia. You may list products for free, but you must have a valid business registration and bank account to join the program. As an international seller, you can ship your items to Blibli’s fulfillment center, which delivers throughout Indonesia and provides 24 hour local-language customer service support.

Buy Now, Pay Later: 6 Reasons Why Your Website Needs It Right Away

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As your online store get bigger and bigger, you’ll definitely want to explore new and different strategies to attract more consumers and subsequently increase the top line. Adding additional payment methods – in particular alternative payment methods (APM’s) at your website is one way to do it. The introduction of buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment methods to the market has shown its value in the last couple of years, and if you own a business where your average order value (AOV) is around the $100 mark or more, then this is absolutely something that you should be considering.

What is buy now, pay later?

Buy now, pay later allows your customers to make purchases right away while paying over time through instalments, allowing you as a business to get paid upfront and in full without taking the risk of potential defaults. It’s a fantastic approach to make high-ticket consumer products and services more affordable while also increasing your overall cart value and pleasing existing and new consumers with greater financial flexibility. The immense benefit that the payment method is providing makes have made more and more business adopt it in the past years.

But how does BNPL exactly work, and how can it benefit your business? In this article, I’ll go through everything you need to know about the payment type, and what you should be aware of prior to adopting it to your business.

How does buy now, pay later work and which providers can you choose?

The name says it all. Buy now, pay later services are a credit payment structure that gives consumers greater financial control and purchasing power by being allowed to pay over time through instalments. You as a business are essentially allowing consumers to purchase your products or services today and make payments in stages, which gives them more freedom to shop your site as less capital has to be provided up front. BNPL payments are usually divided into four to six interest-free instalments, but the payback time really differs from provider to provider, from industry to industry, and the like.

To start accepting BNPL on your E-Commerce site, you must pick between a number of different BNPL providers, such as Affirm, SplitIt, Afterpay, Klarna and ViaBill. Depending on where you are located, you may select from a variety of alternatives, and in case you are targeting customers in multiple countries, you might even want to add several different BNPL providers to your website. Shoppers can then pick the provider that works best for them, finish the transaction, and start making payments over time. Your business will always get the full payment upfront, minus the fees that the payment providers requires.

The 6 reasons for why you should add BNPL to your online store

1. Large opportunity to drive more revenue

Adding BNPL to your store will most likely allow you to tap into a new audience base, that might not have been as likely to purchase from you in the past in case your products or services are in the more expensive side of the cost spectrum. This is especially seen in the furniture and home decor industry, consumer electronics, high-end fashion, and the like. When consumers are allowed to split their payments, they’re more likely to make larger purchases. A $2,000 item is far more appealing when it can be divided and paid in ten $200 instalments.

2. Increased average order value (AOV) and conversion rate (CR)

Numerous studies have assessed and concluded that BNPL increases the average order value, and in particular the conversion rate, on higher value items. Buy now, pay later is a clever technique to split the total sum of your clients’ purchases. When consumers fill up their carts, the total may mount up to be quite significant. Knowing they have the option of dividing their bill interest free encourages them to keep shopping, increase the basket size, and completing the purchase.

3. Minimum risk for you

From the standpoint of the business adopting the payment method, one of the most worrisome aspects regarding completing online purchases before receiving payment is what would happen if the consumer did not pay – i.e., defaulted. Because you’ll always receive the full payment up front with BNPL, this danger is minimized. BNPL pays you straight and takes care of non-paying clients. Most BNPL providers even cover the risk of fraud and chargebacks, so the risk is really minimal. Of course, since the BNPL provider takes up the full risk, this will also be reflected in the fee that they will charge in order for you to be able to apply their service.

4. More flexibility at checkout

Consumers are generally becoming more demanding when it comes to having more payment options available on a website. Combining BNPL with other payment alternatives gives shoppers greater financial freedom and may also increase the possibility for repeat purchases and hence als the life time value (LTV) of your customers. They’ll appreciate the option to select, and you’ll gain customer acquisitions and loyalty in return over time.

BNPL’s popularity is on the rise, with more and more online businesses adding it as a convenient payment option. As your competitors implement this popular payment method and include BNPL on their websites, you don’t want to be left in the dust. This may result in missed sales opportunities and reduced consumers loyalty. For more information about payment methods in general, you can read this article about ‘The 6 Most Common Online Payment Options’ and for information about local payment methods across multiple countries, I’ve also created the following article: ‘Local E-Commerce Payment Methods To Consider When Internationalizing’.

Additional marketing value is also something that should be considered. Some providers will add your products to their online network once you connect their BNPL to your store, allowing visitors of their website to get introduced to your brand. Klarna as an example have their own shopping universe, where your products could be featured as well.

6. Increased trust

As mentioned in one of my other articles about trust badges, payment methods added to a website do also create value as a trust badge. When consumers see trustworthy, reputable payment method being available on a website, this will also increase the general consumer trust towards a brand. Considering how much the demand for BNPL solutions have increased in the past years, and how large some of the providers have become (e.g., Klarna, Afterpay, and the like) these providers will only increase the trust towards your site further.

The 5 most effective types of e-commerce offers and promotions

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Running promotions and offering deals from time to time is very common within the consumer space, and is sometimes a necessity in order for your business to succeed in case your brand pull isn’t large enough for the business to run without any types of deals or promotions. The most popular and highly successful deal and promotion types will therefore be outlined in this article, so that you know what to consider when pursuing certain campaigns throughout the year. Please note, what we cover here are the deal / promotions types and structures, and not the campaign theme’s themselves. For information about which types of campaigns you can run throughout the year and combined with some of the offer types that are outlined in this article, I suggest that you read the following article: ‘The Complete E-Commerce Marketing Calendar for 2022‘.

Percentage discount

A percentage discount is flexible; you may give a specific percentage value off of a particular product or the entire purchase. You can grab your consumers attention by using smaller percentage discount values (such as 10% off or more), while bigger discounts (think +50% off or more) are ideal for large sales seasons like Black Friday or to simply liquidating slow moving unsold items.

If you sell goods on your Shopify store, I recommend choosing between giving a percentage or dollar discount for each item. Use a percentage price reduction if the item you’re discounting originally costs less than $200. If it costs more than $200, use a dollar discount instead. This approach helps customers see the most value for their money.

Dollar value discount

Offering a dollar-value reduction, such as $10 off, may make customers feel like they’re receiving “free money” rather than simply saving it through a percentage discount. There is no doubt that adding strong discount values to your site can increase the conversion rate and the overall revenue value quite substantially.

You can either make the offer permanent or contingent on how much a customer spends, for example, by offering $10 off orders over $100 and $25 off orders over $150 at the same time. The latter approach may help you increase the average order value by encouraging consumers to put more items in their carts to receive a bigger discount.

It’s important to remember that such strong percentage or dollar value discount campaigns can reduce your margins significantly, and your brand is also at the risk of being diluted if the discount values are too large, and/or if the frequency of your discounted campaigns are too high.

Buy One, Get One – BOGO

The acronym BOGO stands for “buy one, get one.” A BOGO discount might be expressed as “Buy one, get one 50% off,” whereas another option is “Buy two shirts at full price and receive the third for $10.” This deal format encourages customers to buy additional items and spend more than they had initially intended.

Free gift with purchase

Another excellent approach to increase sales is to provide a free gift with purchase. For brands which are hesitant when it comes to offering discounts, this is an excellent way of increasing conversions by framing the “discount” as a gift with purchase – it is essentially the same as a BOGO campaign, just framed differently. Offering items as gifts is also a great method to sell unsold inventory. This present can be a mystery or something that is transparent when purchasing; however, according to studies published in the University of Miami, offering a mystery gift with purchase has the potential to boost the conversion rate even further compared to if the gift is presented upfront, in certain industries.

I recommend including a free present when a purchase minimum is met. This encourages consumers to add more products to their cart, thereby increasing the average order value of the purchase. Furthermore, the Journal of Marketing discovered that individuals who received a product for free discussed it 20% more than those who paid for it — this is essentially also free word of mouth advertising!

Free shipping

Free delivery can be one of the most successful kinds of deals, and something that I would almost always recommend to do – as a fixed strategy. One of the primary reasons customers abandon their carts before finishing checkout is because of high shipping fees. While many shops always provide a free shipping option, offering limited-time discounts on shipping charges as a special promotion for those who don’t may be a smart idea. You may as an example always have free delivery if a certain threshold is met, and the from time to time have free delivery on all orders, if the conversion rate is to be boosted further from time to time.

An interesting fact is that customers are more likely to accept a free shipping incentive than a $10 total purchase discount, even if the cost of delivery is less. Even if shipping charges are lower than $10, customers may find a free shipping deal more appealing, and if the free shipping is dependent on a certain order value, you may use this as an instrument to increase the average order value. Making sure you have the appropriate ecommerce fulfilment approach in place so that the experience of the free shipping is smooth for the customer. A bad shipping experience can often result in bad reviews, and ultimately also in the customer not returning even though the products expectations are met.