Starting an online business is an exciting journey, but it often comes with a variety of challenges and questions. One of the most important things to understand from the get-go is, What is ecommerce marketing?
You’ve probably shopped online before, so ecommerce is not a new concept. However, when it comes to running an ecommerce store, things get a bit more complex. Understanding ecommerce marketing is key to turning your online shop into a successful business.
So, what is ecommerce marketing?
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about ecommerce marketing.
We’ll dive into the different types of ecommerce marketing strategies and show you how to effectively grow your online presence to drive more sales.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know the answer to the question ” What is ecommerce marketing?” and the foundational knowledge to drive traffic and increase sales for your online business across various ecommerce platforms.
Let’s get started.
Let’s begin by answering the key question: what is ecommerce marketing?
Ecommerce marketing is the strategy of promoting online stores to drive sales. It uses digital channels like social media, email, and search engines. The goal is to attract customers, build trust, and boost conversions.
Without a solid ecommerce marketing strategy, even the best products can go unnoticed in the competitive online marketplace.
Ecommerce marketing is important for the following reasons:
Now you know what is ecommerce marketing, let’s explore the different types of ecommerce marketing strategies that online businesses use all the time to make sales.
Here are the top 10 ecommerce marketing strategies:
Content marketing is about providing valuable and engaging content to attract and retain customers organically. By offering useful information via blog posts or video content, ecommerce businesses can create a connection with their audience.
For example, Amazon has a blog section displaying news articles, guides, and information on product launches.
Image via Amazon
Ecommerce websites can make use of content marketing in the following ways:
Email marketing is a key strategy that can’t be overlooked when discussing what is ecommerce marketing. Email marketing involves sending targeted messages to potential or existing customers to promote products, share discounts, or stay connected. Email marketing is essential for building relationships with your audience and encouraging repeat purchases.
What makes email marketing an effective ecommerce marketing strategy is the number of people you can reach directly. There are 4.6 billion active email users worldwide as of 2025. Leveraging an email marketing tool to connect with even a tiny fraction of this audience can transform your online store.
Image via Statista
Here’s how you can use email marketing for your ecommerce business:
Over $230 billion has been spent on social media ads in 2024 alone. This figure is expected to cross over $340 billion by 2029. No one would invest this much in ecommerce marketing if it didn’t deliver real results.
Image via Statista
To get the most out of your social media marketing, here’s what you can do:
If you're exploring what is ecommerce marketing and looking for an effective way to attract buyers organically, search engine optimization (SEO) should be a top priority.
Ecommerce SEO involves optimizing your website to rank higher in search engines so your store appears when potential customers search for your products. It focuses on short-tail and long-tail keywords, user experience, and fast-loading pages.
One major hurdle in ecommerce marketing is managing bounce rates. A 2024 study by Doofinder shows that the health and beauty segments of ecommerce experience the highest bounce rates at 51.60%.
Image via Doofinder
So what is email marketing, and how does SEO play a role in enhancing its impact?
As of 2024, around 4.88 billion people, which is roughly 60% of the world's population, use smartphones. This number is expected to surpass 6 billion by 2029.
Ignoring mobile marketing when discussing what is ecommerce marketing is a recipe for failure because many people access the internet through their mobile devices.
Image via Priori Data
Mobile marketing focuses on reaching customers through their mobile devices. It’s about using smartphones and tablets to connect with shoppers. With more people spending time on mobile devices, businesses have to adapt.
Here’s how businesses can use mobile marketing effectively:
Pay-per-Click (PPC) advertising is a paid online marketing strategy where businesses pay a fee each time someone clicks on their ad.
PPC helps drive traffic to online stores quickly. Some platforms, such as Google Ads and social media channels, are popular for PPC campaigns.
PPC ads usually target potential customers searching for specific products or services. So, businesses bid on keywords relevant to their products. When users click on the ad, the business pays a small fee. The ultimate goal is to increase ecommerce sales.
Some benefits PPC ads bring to ecommerce businesses include the following:
As of 2024, influencer marketing has a $24 billion market size. This has been increasing steadily over the last decade, as illustrated below.
Image via Influencer Marketing Hub
Social media influencers have loyal followers who trust their products and content recommendations.
There are various types of influencers, each with a unique audience. Regardless of the type, they handle much of the legwork, providing access to audiences you wouldn't otherwise reach.
What is ecommerce marketing, and how do influencers play a role?
Influencers share authentic reviews and showcase products to their followers. This not only sparks interest but also fosters trust and boosts sales.
You can leverage influencer marketing in the following ways.
Sometimes, you need to create seamless customer experiences across different channels for your ecommerce business. This is called omnichannel marketing. It allows your customers to interact with your business on multiple channels without disruption.
For the best ecommerce marketing results, consider the following omnichannel marketing tips:
Ecommerce businesses, including Amazon, use affiliate marketing to drive sales. Affiliate marketing involves partnering with individuals or websites to promote products in exchange for commissions.
For the best ecommerce marketing results, consider the following tips:
Having discussed what is ecommerce marketing and the strategies needed, let’s now look at the steps you need to take to execute those strategies.
Keep in mind, these steps are flexible and can be adjusted to suit your unique ecommerce marketing needs.
Defining your target audience is essential for ecommerce marketing success. It helps you focus your marketing efforts on the people most likely to buy your products.
Without a clear understanding of your target audience, your marketing efforts will be unfocused and less likely to drive results.
Here are some methods you can use to define your target audience.
The second step involves setting your ecommerce marketing goals.
What is ecommerce marketing if you don’t set definite goals to give your business a clear direction. Goals help you stay focused and measure your success.
Without clear ecommerce marketing goals, it’s hard to know if the efforts produce the desired results. Here are some ways to set your ecommerce marketing goals:
Web optimization is a fundamental part of successful ecommerce marketing. Without it, your efforts are unlikely to deliver results.
A well-optimized site makes it easier for customers to shop. It also boosts your rankings on search engines, helping you get more traffic. Customers may leave without buying if your website isn’t user-friendly..
To best achieve your ecommerce marketing goals through web optimization, try these tips:
Creating a strong brand identity is essential for your ecommerce marketing strategy. You need to sear your brand into the subconscious minds of your customers to the point they consider you a basic need.
What is ecommerce marketing if you don’t have a strong brand identity? A well-established brand identity helps convey your business values and mission. It sets the tone for all your ecommerce marketing efforts.
For the best ecommerce marketing results, here are things you can try.
If you can’t beat them, don’t join them; keep looking for ways to beat them.
Analyzing your competitors is key to staying competitive in ecommerce. By understanding what your competitors are doing, you can identify the gaps they’re not utilizing.
Furthermore, you can learn what works and what doesn’t. This valuable data helps you avoid ecommerce mistakes.
Here’s how you can outperform the competition:
Using various ecommerce marketing channels can be beneficial for your efforts. However, there’s a risk of spreading yourself too thin, which can hinder your ability to achieve lasting impact.
For best results, you need to choose the right marketing channels.
Choosing the right channels is crucial to making your ecommerce marketing efforts focused and effective. Each platform has unique strengths, and understanding which aligns best with your business is essential. It streamlines your strategy and makes it easier to track results and adjust as needed.
To get this right, consider the following:
What is ecommerce marketing without a plan? Without implementation, your plans remain just ideas. You can adjust and improve along the way when you follow your marketing plan.
You can implement your ecommerce marketing plan with these tips:
The final step is monitoring your performance and continuously improving it for ongoing success.
Without measuring your results, it’s hard to know what’s working and what isn’t. Tracking performance allows you to identify areas for improvement, maximize resources, and make data-driven decisions.
Some tips to help you navigate this final step include:
Q1. What is the meaning of ecommerce marketing?
A. Ecommerce marketing refers to promoting and selling products or services online. It involves various strategies to attract, engage, and convert potential customers. These strategies help drive traffic to an online store and encourage people to purchase.
Core examples of these strategies include SEO, email marketing, social media marketing, influencer marketing, paid ads, and more.
Q2. What is an example of ecommerce marketing?
A. An example of ecommerce marketing is a business creating an ad campaign for a product or a service. It uses appealing images and applies special discounts targeting customers who show interest.
When users click on the ad, they’re redirected to the store’s website to encourage them to purchase the product.
Q3. What is the easiest ecommerce site to use?
A. There are many reliable ecommerce sites you can use. One of the easiest ecommerce platforms to use is Shopify. It offers a simple, drag-and-drop interface. You can set up an online store in just a few hours. Shopify has built-in tools for inventory, payment processing, and shipping. No technical skills are required to start.
Other alternatives include Squarespace, Wix, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and BigCartel.
Q4. How to start ecommerce marketing?
A. Starting an ecommerce business isn’t complicated. You begin by creating a website for your store on platforms like Shopify. Next, choose your target audience and identify who will be most interested in your products.
You then set up social media accounts, email marketing, and paid ads to drive traffic to your store. Finally, track your results.
That concludes our comprehensive guide on what is ecommerce marketing. While it takes effort to make it work, the strategies involved are similar to those in any other type of marketing.
With the right execution, you can turn your business into an ecommerce powerhouse.
Still have more ecommerce marketing questions? Explore our extensive ecommerce resources to find the answers you need. And if you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level, Attrock’s lead generation services can help you attract and convert more qualified leads, boosting your online sales and growing your brand.
Get in touch with us today to learn how we can support your ecommerce journey!
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