Digital Strategies for eCommerce: Exploring the eCommerce Sales Channels U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
eCommerce Definitions eCommerce is a sales channel that crosses all industries that sell or promote brand awareness online. eCommerce as a sales channel is part of a businesses’ digital strategy. A digital strategy addresses the basic needs of a business required to succeed in cross-border ecommerce sales channels. Digital Transformation , the act of positioning your company for long term success in the online virtual environment. Online metrics allows businesses to understand where their digital efforts are paying off & identify areas for improvement so they can realize their ROI in the ecommerce sales channels. Business to business (B2B) ecommerce transactions are made between businesses, where a supplier sells in bulk Business to consumer (B2C) is where a business sells its product directly to a customer, either directly from a company website or an online marketplace Read more about ecommerce here https://www.export.gov/article?id=eCommerce-Definitions U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
eCommerce Transaction Process Transactional/Marketplace Informational U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
The B2B Sales Flow B2B companies can significantly reduce the cost to serve clients by moving them into an online self-serve ecommerce environment Source: Forrester Report: “US B2B eCommerce Will Hit $1.2 Trillion By 2021” U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
eCommerce as a Percentage of Total US Shipments/Sales/Revenues: 2014-15 Source: US Census eStats 2015: Measuring the Electronic Economy U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
eCommerce is a Sales Channel that Crosses All Industries Most Companies Don’t Know They are Already Selling Through B2B eCommerce: • Wholesale • Distribution relationships with large chain/retailers • Selling to organizations • Supplier selling to resellers with strong online presence Key Take Away: Non-retail businesses are more and more involved in ecommerce U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
Share of eCommerce Shipments by NAICS 339 Miscellaneous manufacturing 311 Food manufacturing 337 Furniture and related product manufacturing 312 Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing 313 Textile mills 314 Textile product mills 336 Transportation equipment 315 Apparel manufacturing manufacturing 316 Leather and allied product manufacturing 321 Wood product … 322 Paper manufacturing 323 Printing and related support activities 335 Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing 324 Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 334 Computer and electronic product manufacturing 333 Machinery manufacturing 325 Chemical manufacturing 332 Fabricated metal product manufacturing 326 Plastics and rubber products manufacturing 331 Primary metal manufacturing 327 Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing Source: Census eStats 2016 Measuring the Electronic Economy
The eCommerce Sales Channels Your Website Thru #SocialMedia Own Data & Design Build Brand Following • • • Full Content Control • Connect Directly With Consumers Full Pricing Control Promote Thought Leadership • • Must Do SEO Boosts Website SEO • • • Will Require Service Providers • Results Vary Local Social Media Rep Recommended • • Requires Constant Monitoring • Sales Dependent On Activity Sell to 3 rd Party In-Country Distributor On Online Marketplaces Quickly and Cheaply Establish Brand Presence • • Reach More Consumers • Immediate Purchase of Product Payment Received in Other Currencies • Fewer Transactions • • Can Help With Market Entry Boosts Website SEO • Boosts Website SEO • • Requires Interested Distributor Service Interoperability Varies • Requires Online/SEO Savvy Distributor • • Lots of Competition • Smaller Margins Lack of Control of Customer Data • Returns & Disputes • U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
Channel Mix Option: 3 rd Party In-Country Distributor Considerations: Allows you to more quickly and cheaply enter a online localized market than if you • were to attempt on their own Local partner has existing marketing and distribution network for your use; already • selling to consumers, already established local SEO , already established branding Will need to coordinate with overseas to find appropriate/suitable representation that • is currently and successfully selling online in-market . You will need to work with your distributor to provide online descriptive content to be • used in product descriptions; translation by a service provider may be needed • Our Partner Matchmaking Services • International Partner Search https://www.export.gov/International-Partner- Search • Gold Key Matchmaking Service https://www.export.gov/Gold-Key-Service U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
Resources- Online Market Research Export.gov Keyword Search for Market Report Topics Country Commercial Guides: In depth country reports on economy, customs, business environment, and regulations https://export.gov/ccg U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
Export Market Videos • New Exporter - Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, UK • Growing Exporter - Chile, Colombia, Peru, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, South Africa, UAE • Experienced Exporter - Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Nigeria
Where Can I find Business eCommerce Resources? Business Digital Strategy • eCommerce Definitions • • eCommerce How-To eCommerce Best Practices • • Cross-Border eCommerce Business Challenges Identify eCommerce Market Opportunities • Ship Your Products • • Get Paid Manage After-Sales Services • • Optimize Your User Experience eCommerce Resources • eCommerce Market Intelligence • • Business eCommerce Tools Partner Resources • • eCommerce Webinars & Events https://export.gov/ecommerce U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
Resources- Online Market Research eCommerce Country Briefs https://www.export.gov/article?id=CCG-eCommerce-Market-Intelligence-Sections Overseas Digital • Trade Policy Officer Program • Trade Barrier Assistance • eCommerce Taxes/Regs Certified Trade Missions • De Minimis/FTA/Screening APIs • U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration | U.S. Commercial Service
Referral Resource: eCommerce BSP Who can help with our content strategy? Who can help with site translation? Who can help with SEO and analytics? Who can help with Channel Management? Who can help with an IT security program? What online marketplaces exist for us to sell through? Where can I find technical assistance for my business issues in the ecommerce sales channel that has been identified through digital strategy counselling? https://www.export.gov/article?id=eCommerce- BSP
Follow-Up Information Local Trade Specialists Who Can Help You With a Digital Strategy: Glen Roberts Glen.Roberts@trade.gov Quick Resources: eCommerce Export Resource Center eCommerce Business Service Provider (BSP) Directory Country Commercial Guides
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