What are the best eCommerce business examples? Good question!
Did you know that eCommerce sales are projected to reach $6.54 trillion by 2023? That’s a staggering figure, indicative of the immense growth and potential within the online retail space.
In this article on the 10 best eCommerce business examples, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most successful players in the game. From innovative startups disrupting traditional industries to established giants setting the standard for online shopping experiences, these companies have not only embraced the digital revolution but have also thrived in the eCommerce industry.
If you are considering starting an eCommerce business or probably already have one, then you can take a page out of the success book of these top eCommerce businesses. Let’s take a closer look at them.
What are eCommerce Business Examples?
eCommerce business examples are businesses that sell goods and services using the internet. Examples are Amazon, Dollar Shave Club, Warby Parker, eBay, Craiglist, Wayfair, Amazon, Jiji, Jumia, Leesa, and so many others.
Additionally, eCommerce business examples are like big magical stores where you can buy all sorts of things on the internet without ever having to leave your house. Just imagine being able to find toys, clothes, electronics, food, and even things you didn’t even know you wanted, all with just a few clicks on your computer or phone.
List of Successful eCommerce Companies
- Amazon
- Alibaba
- eBay
- Leesa
- Dollar Shave Club
- Warby Parker
- Jumia
- Shopify
- Best Buy
- Etsy
- Craiglist
- Wayfair
10 Examples of eCommerce Businesses
1. Amazon
Amazon is one of the largest thriving B2C and C2C eCommerce platforms in the world. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 as an online bookstore but has since expanded to include everything from clothing to housewares, power tools to food and drinks, and electronics.
The company launched its business with an e-commerce-based model of online sales and product delivery.
They are located in Seattle, Washington (USA). Amazon has become one of the first American eCommerce businesses to sell goods online.
Amazon has various sections for best sellers, deals, music, video, home, love streaming, health & household, PC, and new releases of products. They Provide amazing Platforms for Buyers and Sellers to Interact and do Business. Amazon only took 4 years to cross 10 billion in Sales.
Selling on Amazon requires creating a seller account, listing products, and shipping directly to the consumer.
2. Alibaba
Alibaba launched in 1999, is a Chinese online B2B technology eCommerce platform that has expanded into Africa in recent years. Alibaba focuses on services like eCommerce, search engines, internet service, and technological development.
- You can explore millions of business offerings ranging from pieces of jewelry, vehicle parts, and accessories, furniture, shoes, bags, beauty, fabrics and textiles raw materials, chemicals, metals and alloys, agriculture, pet supplies, electronic components, food, and beverages, just name it.
- Assured quality and transactions from verified suppliers, with orders protected from payment to delivery.
- You can search and filter orders from millions of product and supplier offerings to find the one that matches your business.
- You get curated benefits, such as exclusive discounts, enhanced protection, and extra support, to help grow your business.
Alibaba has an online website with a smartphone application. Each seller registered at Alibaba is verified to protect the hard-earned investments of the buyers who usually work with a limited budget.
3. eBay
eBay is an American multinational eCommerce company based in San Jose, California. It is one of the first e-commerce sites, and eBay still dominates the digital marketing space.
eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar in September 1995. It has 134 million yearly active buyers worldwide and handled $74 billion in transactions in 2022, 49% of which was in the United States. In 2022, the company had a take rate (revenue as a percentage of volume) of 13.25%. (Source: Wikipedia)
eBay is used by individuals, companies, as well as governments to purchase and sell almost any legal, non-controversial item.
The eBay service is accessible via websites and mobile apps. Software developers can create applications that integrate with eBay through the eBay API. Merchants can also earn commissions from affiliate marketing programs by eBay.
4. Leesa
Leesa is an online mattress B2C eCommerce company with a mission to help people sleep better.
Launched in 2014, Leesa sells mattresses and bedding essentials online. It was founded by David Wolfe and Jamie Diamonstein.
The whole idea behind this business model was to help people realize the importance of sleep and how an adequate amount of sleep can improve productivity and quality of life.
- They are so confident in their product that they offer a 100-night free trial to mattress buyers.
- They rely on word-of-mouth advertising and don’t spend their marketing budget on Ads.
Lessa has an affiliate marketing program that rewards customers for referring others to buy their products.
5. Dollar Shave Club
Dollar Shave Club is an American company located in Venice California. It was Founded in 2011 by Michael Dubin and Mark Levine, Dollar Shave Club is one of the most successful subscription eCommerce businesses.
Dollar Shave Club members subscribe to a box that contains all their shaving and grooming products, every two months.
- Its members subscribe to a box every two months, containing all their shaving and grooming essentials.
- You begin by buying a reasonably priced handle for a razor and then add packets of blades to your regular box.
- Nowadays, you can also choose from a selection of toiletries, shaving accessories, hair products, colognes, and even toothpaste for your bi-monthly box.
In under five years of operation, Unilever bought the company for 1 billion dollars.
6. Warby Parker
Warby Parker is an American online prescription eyewear retailer in New York City. It was founded at the time prescription glasses, sunglasses and contacts were expensive in 2010 by Neil Blumenthal, Andrew Hunt, David Gilboa, and Jeffrey Raider.
They source their raw materials directly from manufacturers to offer cheaper products. They custom-cut and polish the edges of the lenses, which have been treated with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings.
Warby Parker has standard impact-resistant Polycarbonate lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Users get numerous incentives like;
- Free shipping
- Free virtual and home try-on services
- And a generous returns policy
7. Jumia
Jumia is Africa’s biggest eCommerce website in Nigeria. Launched in 2012 in Nigeria, this successful eCommerce business example has solidified a footprint in over 23 African countries, attracting an average of over 32 million visitors a month buying everything from fashion to phones, groceries, and homeware.
It has recently expanded into integrated logistics that facilitates the convenient and reliable delivery of goods, hotel, travel booking, food delivery, and digital payment services.
Its wide reach across Africa and range of services has led to Jumia being known as “the Amazon of Africa
Jumia has introduced to its marketplace many features of eCommerce that are popular everywhere in the world, including “Black Friday” sales events, a free shipping program called “Jumia Prime”, business purchasing membership, and direct buying from overseas.
8. Shopify
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that empowers anyone to sell online, sell at a brick-and-mortar store, or anything in between. The platform offers a professional online storefront, payment solutions, and a POS application to power retail sales.
- Shopify has an easy setup
- Mobile friendly
- Good performance and speed
- Easy and reliable payment gateway e.g PayPal
- Has apps that are customer-friendly and add features to your store’s visuality.
9. Best Buy
Best Buy is an American multinational consumer electronics and appliances retailer, headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
Best Buy provides B2B and B2B2C solutions. They manufacture hundreds of unique products, ranging from cell phone cases to computers, smartphones, televisions, audio equipment, home appliances, and more. Best Buy purchases these private label products from approximately 140 factories mainly in China and earns a profit by selling them to customers.
Best Buy has grown to be a dominant brand with several brick-and-mortar stores across the country, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
10. Etsy
Another popular eCommerce business example is Etsy A marketplace that focuses on handmade or vintage products and unique factory-manufactured items. The platform offers a wide array of unique goods ranging from art to clothing, accessories, food, and even psychic readings.
Esty was founded in 2005 by Robert Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik, they created the website out of a need to find e-commerce options for independent artists and creators.
- Etsy has secure and multiple payment options such as credit cards, debit cards, and Etsy gift cards.
- Another unique aspect of Etsy is the personal shopping experience. You can chat with sellers, request custom items, and feel like you’re part of a creative community.
Types Of eCommerce Businesses
There are several types of eCommerce business examples and eCommerce business models. Here are the most popular ones:
1. Business-to-Consumer
In the B2C model, a business sells products or services to consumers. Examples are Amazon and Walmart. This is a typical example of an eCommerce business model.
2. Business-to-Business
In the B2B model, the transaction happens between two businesses. For example, if a B2B business buys something from a manufacturer or supplier, the transaction between the two parties is B2B eCommerce.
3. Consumer-to-Consumer
Consumer-to-consumer eCommerce means when one consumer sells goods or services to other consumers online. It is called C2C eCommerce. Examples are Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy.
4. Consumer-to-Business
The C2B eCommerce model refers to when a consumer provides a product or service to a business online.
An example is a company hiring or simply reading customer reviews that share ideas for innovation. In other words, online review platforms and freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
Please see the eCommerce business model for a more comprehensive guide.
What is the Importance of eCommerce?
There are many advantages of e-commerce stores, including the following:
- Platforms are easily accessible over a mobile phone or through any electronic media.
- E-commerce businesses are available to customers 24 hours a day and 7 days a week with no time limit giving consumers convenient selling options.
- An online store has a wide range of products and services for businesses and consumers to choose from. They can easily make their choices by visiting several websites without wasting time.
- There’s the ease of payments through various methods like online payments, electronic payments, and transfers.
- An eCommerce business has a lower operational cost
- An eCommerce Website builder helps a brick-and-mortar store (physical store) to expand and grow to a click-and-mortar store (online and physical store)
- eCommerce makes it easier for companies to reach new international customers
Every advantage also has a disadvantage.
Here are a few disadvantages of an eCommerce store:
- Inability to feel the product you are buying. What you are ordering online may be different from what it looks, making customers to be disappointed upon the receipt of their products.
- Shipping charges and long waiting before the product arrives.
- Security issues of websites may put consumer’s information at risk.
Conclusion
There are so many examples of eCommerce businesses where people can buy and sell things. Some big ones are Amazon and Alibaba, and there are smaller ones too, like Leesa and Dollar Shave Club.
These stores let you buy things you need or want without going to a real store, which can be handy. But sometimes, there are problems like making sure the things are good quality and getting them to your house safely.
Still, with smart ideas and thinking about what customers need, these online stores keep getting better and helping more people buy and sell things. Whether you’re an existing eCommerce business owner or you are just starting, with effective eCommerce marketing strategies and eCommerce marketing tools, your business can stand out and grow amidst the competition in the eCommerce industry.
