How E-Commerce Has Revolutionized SMBs?

Over the past 30 years or so, there has been a massive change in consumer behavior. This change in consumer behavior has also reflected in the operations of business entities as well.

Since the inception of e-commerce, businesses, too, have changed over the years. The internet has entirely transformed the way businesses are done. The trend has gradually shifted towards online shopping in all parts of the world and Dubai is no exception.

As people are more comfortable shopping online, this has also led to the popularity of delivery services in Dubai. And due to the pandemic, those who had never shopped online before were left with no other option.

To put it simply, online shopping is soaring and will continue to do so. Small businesses have benefited the most out of this trend.

Let’s take a look at how the trend of online shopping has altered and improved operations in small businesses:

Cost-Efficiency

Setting up an online business is not expensive. Particularly for small businesses, it is quite affordable. This is what allows them into business areas they wouldn’t have imagined to enter before. Those with a brick and mortar store can come up with an online store, allowing them to reach a wider audience effectively without spending too much on setting up.

Also, having an operational online store doesn’t require you to build physical stores. Having one proper online store/websites would do everything a store does for you. This keeps your operational cost low as well.

Online Collaborations

Earlier, SMB owners of a particular niche could earn smaller business profits. However, with e-commerce, they can successfully collaborate with the big fish and yield higher returns. This has led to better earnings and more exposure.

Wider Outreach

Small businesses have a limited budget. They cannot spend too much on marketing. This rendered them unable to reach out to a larger audience. Now, with e-commerce, they can engage customers both locally and internationally. This has transformed the lives of small business owners. Small-time businesses get to enjoy the same visibility as big companies without any limitations.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

A brand or company could go viral overnight using word of mouth. It is still one of the most popular marketing methods. It is a lot easier to get customer reviews online. Small businesses could build their credibility by allowing customers to leave reviews and ratings on their website or social media page.

24x7 Business

E-commerce works all day long. There aren’t any holidays. This means that customers can buy any time of the day or night. This is a huge advantage since there isn’t any limiting factor in terms of time. This translates into more sales and more profit.

No Need for Middlemen

Small businesses establish an online presence for themselves. They can sell directly to the consumer, eliminating the need for middlemen. This works out for both parties. The business owner can directly bring the product within the consumer’s reach. As a result, more people can know about the product and services that increase profits.

Increased Exposure

Small businesses enjoy increased exposure to eCommerce. It allows them to follow the business ideas and methodology of established and successful companies. It increases the learning of small businesses as well. SMBs learn what works in the online world and what doesn’t, giving them a clear path to follow. This also reduces the risks of errors.

There might be few downsides to being a small business owner in the e-commerce sector. However, the benefits certainly surpass the downsides. As a matter of fact, the downfalls are further expected to reduce with time as experts anticipate substantial growth in the e-commerce and m-commerce sector in the future.

Since E-commerce has a bright future, there cannot be a better time to start an online business. If your business requires storage, management, or delivery services, you can rely on IQ Fulfillment for providing you with excellent services.