What is Connective E-commerce? And How it Works

Since the pandemic has delved into our lives, to create an online business has doubled. In 2021, approximately 2.14 billion people were accounted to buy products and services online, which was a whopping increase from 1.66 billion online buyers globally in 2016. With the increasing number of online buyers, more entrepreneurs shifted their interest in setting up e-commerce businesses.

However, e-commerce is not a piece of cake for many. It requires different strategies, upgrading techniques, incomparable teamwork, and plenty of investment without making sure of the approximate results. For this reason, entrepreneur Courtney Fletcher introduced Connective E-Commerce to help starters like her in establishing their e-commerce setups.

As her idea turned out to be a great one for many, the term ‘Connective E-Commerce’ started to take the Internet by storm. While it is being discussed throughout industries, we have shared a detailed guide to help people know more about it. Let us start with a detailed introduction to this type of e-commerce.

A Brief Introduction to Connective E-commerce

Connective e-commerce is an entrepreneur-friendly business model. It enables newbies to set up their e-commerce business with minimal effort and budget. Rather than investing all your savings on inventory, development, and delivery, it chooses technology as an alternative. Many people find it similar to drop shipping because it outsources delivery while controlling sales, yet it seems to provide a promising goal.

Why Does Connective E-commerce Make A Difference?

According to Forbes and Huffington Post, approximately 90% of e-commerce startups fail within their first four months or more precisely 120 days. It may be due to different reasons, yet the rate of failed businesses serves as a green flag for connective e-commerce. Here are a few reasons that may prove why it matters in today's digital era.

It Prepares Businesses for the Future

Connective e-commerce is a technology-driven approach. It works to create a digital environment that promises perfection. Rather than using unnecessary manpower, it supports technical solutions. Its outstanding connection with emerging technology makes it ideal to stay afloat in an ever-changing future.

It Provides a Matchless Customer Experience

Because the connective ecommerce business model is built through technology, it promises a seamless customer experience. Where traditional ecommerce businesses have elevated their user experiences using technology to do so only makes it way better. After all, every entrepreneur dreams of keeping away from unhappy customers and abandoned carts.

It Reduces the Ratio of Human Errors

For a startup business, coming across human errors is similar to necessary. Having a difficult user journey that elongates one's experience from parties to checkout often reduces customer engagement. Also, difficult payment gateways negatively impact the number of return visits and loyal consumers. Connecting to e-commerce helps to keep away from such unpleasant situations.

It Promotes Efficiency in Business

Connective e-commerce can extend the growth of your business to greater lengths by promoting efficiency. It uses the latest technology to place your business between the most prominent gaps in the industry. Rather than investing all your savings in useless or unpopular products and services, it helps you understand the market needs as per the latest trends.

How Does Connective E-commerce Work?

To make connective e-commerce work for your business, it is better to keep a few points in concern. These may help an entrepreneur to make the most of this business model.

Stick to Successful Dropshipping

Dropshipping is one of the best e-commerce businesses that requires less investment. It does not ask its owner for an inventory or any kind of physical storage. To make the most of technology, all an entrepreneur needs to do is research the market thoroughly. This is because the dropshipping business depends on understanding the demand and need for a product in the market.

As soon as you understand this requirement, the only step you have to follow is to look for an ideal retailer. To partner with a third-party supplier, always make sure to choose a trustworthy platform. The best way is to collaborate with recognized and successful drop shippers like SaleHoo, AliExpress, or Shopify. Being a drop shipper can be successful and satisfying because you get a chance to easily earn a profit while leaving the rest of the delivery to the retailer.

Start With Ready-Made Templates

Most often, entrepreneurs fail to grow their businesses due to website concerns. While some of the owners waste their savings on website customization, the rest of the professionals keep investing in website development. Paying a huge amount to developers at the start impacts business growth negatively. To avoid such issues, it is better to look for ready-made templates from recognized website builders.

Plenty of platforms like Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and Volusion offer free and cheap themes or templates to build an E-shop. This makes it easier for starters to start their businesses on a small budget. Also, it is a time-saving strategy as these platforms help to establish our website within a few days.

Always Try Social Media Promotion

According to research, 35% of most online transactions were performed from popular social media channels in 2021. Since then, social commerce has grown extensively while reducing the cost of investment. Hence, once your e-commerce business is ready to boost, focus on the most popular social channels to build your brand identity. It is one of the finest ways to use technology and grow your business with less investment.

While 60% of customers learn about a new brand through YouTube all over the world, 70% discover a new product through Instagram. Similarly, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok have continued to attract a greater percentage of audiences for brands. That is why, connective ecommerce promotes social media promotion for starters.

The Pros and Cons of Connective E-Commerce

As connective e-commerce continues to grow, it brings in a set of benefits and drawbacks. To summarize, have a look at the pros and cons discussed below.

• It does not require business owners to invest in any kind of inventory.
• Business owners can adapt to this model at a lower rate with the promised efficiency.
• With the use of the latest technology, it takes less time and manpower to set up.
• Entrepreneurs are free to choose from a variety of products demanded in the market.
• More than 50% of this business model depends on 3rd party suppliers and retailers.
• Professionals are bound to come up with creative solutions to resolve errors.
• To outdo competitors with a greater budget, you must adopt an extravagant approach.

Is Connective E-Commerce Better Than Traditional E-Commerce?

After going through the details of connective e-commerce, it is important to know if this solution is meant for your business or not. Most entrepreneurs do not understand if this business model is reliable or they may stick oh to the traditional methods.

As per an expert approach, connective e-commerce makes the right deal for professionals looking to start their venture with a lower budget and fewer resources. However, if your business has already crossed the hurdles and is looking for expansion, this model may not be for you. A successful and running business should not rely on third-party suppliers. Rather, it must focus on ways to start in-house delivery and packaging.