Marketing & Industry Trends

The Growth and Future of Digital Commerce

A Look Back and Ahead on the wonderful world of Digital Commerce

July 26, 2024

Alistair Bryan
Chief Transformation and Marketing Officer

The digital commerce industry has seen tremendous growth in the past few years, thanks to the rise of e-commerce and the increasing adoption of mobile and social media platforms. However, this growth has been accompanied by an equally fast-paced rate of change and technological advancements, making it all the more important to stay on top of the trends.

After 20 years + in digital commerce the Pixel have a wealth of experience and memories.  We thought we would write down our ruminations.  We will take a walk down memory lane and break the growth of digital commerce into different eras, highlighting the key trends, statistics, and customer behaviours that have contributed to its evolution. We will also explore the current landscape of the industry and the challenges businesses face in engaging customers and making sales. 

Finally, we will discuss the multi-solution service offered by The Pixel and Adobe's best-in-class products and how they can help businesses navigate this dynamic landscape.

The Early Revolution of Digital Commerce:

We remember this era well and was prior to our long-standing partnership with Adobe.  We were just a few people doing ad hoc digital solutions.  The early days of digital commerce were characterised by rudimentary websites that merely provided information on products and services, rather than offering a platform for sales. As Internet usage grew and online transactions became more popular, the first phase of digital commerce was born. Companies like Amazon and eBay emerged as giants, setting a new benchmark for e-commerce. By the turn of the century, digital commerce had become a significant part of the global economy. In 2000, the global e-commerce market was worth $30 billion, and the same study predicts that the global e-commerce market will exceed $6.3 trillion by 2024.  

The Mobile and Social Commerce Boom:

In recent years, the rise of mobile and social commerce has revolutionized the digital commerce landscape. With the high penetration of smartphones, consumers are now shopping on-the-go, relying on mobile apps for everything from booking flights to ordering food. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have entered the fray, offering businesses the opportunity to reach customers and build their brands in new ways. The high adoption of social commerce has led to increased conversion rates, with Facebook shops reporting a 25% increase in conversion rates in 2020.

Customers Drive Personalisation and Engagement:

Today's customers are more discerning than ever, demanding a more personalized and engaging experience when they shop online. Technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence have enabled businesses to provide a more personalized journey, offering customized recommendations and promotions based on customers' buying behaviours. This has led to increased engagement and loyalty, with businesses reporting a 10-20% increase in revenue from personalized marketing.

The Challenge of Competing in the Digital Commerce Space:

The digital commerce space has become increasingly competitive, with businesses jostling for customer engagement and sales. With the increased availability of products and services on the Internet, businesses must find new ways to differentiate themselves from their rivals. A study by Nielsen Global Connect found that 75% of consumers are more likely to buy from a retailer that knows their name and purchase history. Businesses must invest in technologies that facilitate a personalized experience to succeed in this competitive landscape.

Our Total Digital Commerce Solution:

Amidst all these challenges, The Pixel is in the fray, offering a multi-solution service called Total Digital Commerce that helps businesses navigate the dynamic digital commerce space. With over 20 years of experience in the category, The Pixel has developed a deep understanding of the industry and the challenges businesses face. The Pixel's Total Digital Commerce offering includes web development, e-commerce development, digital marketing, social media marketing, and more. It provides clients with a one-stop-shop for all their digital commerce needs.

Our partner Adobe - The Best-in-Class Solution:

Adobe's best-in-class products provide businesses with the tools they need to succeed in the digital commerce space. Adobe Experience Platform offers a range of technologies that help businesses create personalized experiences across every touchpoint. Adobe Analytics provides businesses with a deep understanding of customers' behaviour, while Adobe Target enables them to test and optimize different strategies in real-time. Adobe's suite of products provides businesses with a comprehensive solution for their digital commerce needs.

The growth of digital commerce has been a rollercoaster ride, from the humble beginnings of basic websites to the rise of mobile and social commerce.  We are proud to have been. Along that ride helping our clients and keeping ahead of events before they happen.   The rate of change has been faster than ever before, and businesses must continually adapt to stay relevant. Today's customers are more demanding than ever and demand a personalized and engaging experience when they shop online. 

The digital commerce space has become increasingly competitive, and businesses must differentiate themselves to succeed. The Pixel's Total Digital Commerce offering, and Adobe's suite of best-in-class products provide businesses with the tools they need to navigate this dynamic landscape and succeed in the era of digital commerce.

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