eCommerce is a rapidly growing industry that has transformed how people shop and do business. With billions of people worldwide using the internet to purchase products and services online, understanding key eCommerce statistics is crucial for businesses looking to succeed.

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of vital eCommerce statistics and facts about global eCommerce businesses, organized into different categories. These categories include market size and growth, payment methods, popular product categories, cross-border eCommerce, mobile eCommerce, and more.

By understanding these key statistics, businesses can gain valuable insights into the eCommerce landscape and make informed decisions about their strategies. Whether you’re just starting in eCommerce or are an experienced business owner, these statistics will provide valuable context for your business and help you navigate the fast-paced world of online retail.

Here are 30 important statistics and facts about global eCommerce business, organized into different categories:

30 Must-Know eCommerce Statistics and Trends for Success in 2023

1. Market size and growth:

  1. eCommerce sales worldwide are expected to reach $4.9 trillion in 2021.
  2. The global eCommerce market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.7% from 2020 to 2023.
  3. Asia-Pacific is the largest eCommerce market in the world, accounting for over 60% of global eCommerce sales.
  4. The United States is the second largest eCommerce market, with an estimated $861.12 billion in eCommerce sales in 2021.
  5. Europe is the third largest eCommerce market, with an estimated $567.22 billion in eCommerce sales in 2021.

2. Online shopping behavior:

  1. The average online shopping cart abandonment rate is 69.57%.
  2. The top reasons for cart abandonment are high shipping costs (53%), unexpected costs (44%), and a complicated checkout process (41%).
  3. Mobile devices account for more than half of global eCommerce traffic, with smartphone traffic accounting for 40% and tablet traffic accounting for 11%.
  4. Social media plays a significant role in eCommerce, with over 60% of social media users following a brand to stay updated on products and offers.
  5. Customer reviews and ratings are important for eCommerce, with 88% of consumers trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

3. eCommerce platform market share:

  1. The top three eCommerce platforms in terms of market share are Shopify (18.0%), WooCommerce (14.9%), and Magento (8.0%).
  2. Amazon is the largest eCommerce platform in total sales, with over $280 billion in net sales in 2020.
  3. Alibaba is the second largest eCommerce platform in total sales, with over $977 billion in gross merchandise volume in 2020.
  4. eBay is the third largest eCommerce platform in total sales, with over $10 billion in gross merchandise volume in 2020.

4. Payment methods:

  1. Credit cards are the most popular payment method for eCommerce transactions, with 52% of consumers using them.
  2. PayPal is the second most popular payment method, with 26% of consumers using it.
  3. Digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay) are growing in popularity, with 19% of consumers using them for eCommerce transactions.
  4. Bank transfers are used by 16% of consumers for eCommerce transactions.
  5. Cash on delivery is the least popular payment method, with only 5% of consumers using it.

5. eCommerce business models:

  1. The most common eCommerce business model is the business-to-consumer (B2C) model, where a business sells directly to consumers.
  2. The second most common eCommerce business model is the consumer-to-consumer (C2C) model, where consumers sell to other consumers through platforms such as eBay or Etsy.
  3. The third most common eCommerce business model is the business-to-business (B2B) model, where businesses sell to other companies.
  4. The fourth most common eCommerce business model is the consumer-to-business (C2B) model, where consumers sell products or services to businesses.
  5. The fifth most common eCommerce business model is the business-to-government (B2G) model, where businesses sell products or services to government agencies.

6. Popular product categories:

  1. The most popular product category for eCommerce sales is clothing and accessories, accounting for 21% of total eCommerce sales.
  2. The second most popular product category is electronics and media, accounting for 14% of eCommerce sales.
  3. Home and garden are the third most popular product category, accounting for 11% of eCommerce sales.
  4. The fourth most popular product category is health and personal care, accounting for 10% of eCommerce sales.
  5. Books, music, and video are the fifth most popular product category, accounting for 9% of eCommerce sales.

7. Cross-border eCommerce:

  1. Cross-border eCommerce (i.e. eCommerce transactions between buyers and sellers in different countries) accounts for 21% of total eCommerce sales.
  2. The United States is the top destination for cross-border eCommerce, accounting for 21% of global cross-border eCommerce sales.
  3. China is the second largest destination for cross-border eCommerce, accounting for 16% of global cross-border eCommerce sales.
  4. The United Kingdom is the third largest destination for cross-border eCommerce, accounting for 10% of global cross-border eCommerce sales.
  5. Germany is the fourth largest destination for cross-border eCommerce, accounting for 8% of global cross-border eCommerce sales.

8. Mobile eCommerce:

  1. Mobile eCommerce (i.e., eCommerce transactions made on mobile devices) accounts for more than 50% of total eCommerce sales.
  2. The average order value for mobile eCommerce is $123.
  3. The average conversion rate for mobile eCommerce is 2.9%.
  4. The most popular mobile eCommerce apps are Amazon (38%), eBay (10%), and Wish (7%).
  5. The most popular mobile payment methods for eCommerce are credit cards (36%), PayPal (20%), and digital wallets (17%).

9. eCommerce delivery and returns:

  1. The average delivery time for eCommerce orders is 3.5 days.
  2. The average return rate for eCommerce orders is 30%.
  3. The most common reason for eCommerce returns is “did not fit/suit me” (56%), followed by “changed my mind” (48%), and “received as a gift” (36%).
  4. The average cost of an eCommerce return is $10.
  5. Free shipping and returns are important for eCommerce customers, with 75% saying they are more likely to shop with a retailer that offers free shipping and 60% saying they are more likely to shop with a retailer that offers free returns.

10. eCommerce fraud:

  1. eCommerce fraud (i.e., fraudulent transactions) accounts for 1.3% of total eCommerce sales.
  2. The most common type of eCommerce fraud is card-not-present fraud, accounting for 73% of eCommerce fraud cases.
  3. The second most common type of eCommerce fraud is account takeover fraud, accounting for 14% of eCommerce fraud cases.
  4. The third most common type of eCommerce fraud is friendly fraud, accounting for 12% of eCommerce fraud cases.
  5. The fourth most common type of eCommerce fraud is identity theft, accounting for 1% of eCommerce fraud cases.

11. Customer loyalty and retention:

  1. The average customer loyalty rate for eCommerce is 13%.
  2. The top factors that influence customer loyalty in eCommerce are fast and free shipping (45%), easy returns (42%), and personalized recommendations (41%).
  3. The average customer retention rate for eCommerce is 89%.
  4. The top factors that influence customer retention in eCommerce are fast and free shipping (41%), easy returns (39%), and personalized recommendations (38%).
  5. The average customer lifetime value for eCommerce is $1,200.

12. Customer acquisition:

  1. The average customer acquisition cost for eCommerce is $44.
  2. The top channels for customer acquisition in eCommerce are search engine advertising (34%), social media advertising (24%), and email marketing (18%).
  3. The average conversion rate for eCommerce is 2.86%.
  4. The top factors that influence conversion rate in eCommerce are fast and free shipping (49%), easy returns (46%), and personalized recommendations (45%).
  5. The average order value for eCommerce is $80.

13. eCommerce personalization:

  1. Personalization is important for eCommerce, with 70% of consumers saying they are more likely to shop with a retailer that personalizes the shopping experience.
  2. The top personalization tactics used by eCommerce retailers are personalized recommendations (58%), personalized emails (52%), and personalized product search results (51%).
  3. Personalized email marketing has an average open rate of 20% and an average click-through rate of 3%.
  4. Personalized product recommendations have an average conversion rate of 6%.
  5. Personalized search results have an average conversion rate of 4%.

14. eCommerce customer service:

  1. eCommerce customer service is important, with 84% of consumers saying they are more likely to shop with a retailer that offers good customer service.
  2. The top channels for eCommerce customer service are email (54%), phone (38%), and live chat (8%).
  3. The average response time for eCommerce customer service is 12 hours.
  4. The average resolution time for eCommerce customer service is 24 hours.
  5. The average satisfaction rate for eCommerce customer service is 85%.

15. eCommerce SEO:

  1. Search engine optimization (SEO) is important for eCommerce, with 75% of consumers saying they are more likely to shop with a retailer that ranks well in search results.
  2. The average click-through rate for the first organic search result is 31.7%.
  3. The average conversion rate for the first organic search result is 9.5%.
  4. The top ranking factors for eCommerce SEO are keyword relevance (17%), user experience (16%), and backlinks (15%).
  5. The top ranking factors for local eCommerce SEO are proximity (40%), relevance (34%), and prominence (26%).

16. eCommerce social media marketing:

  1. Social media marketing is important for eCommerce, with 80% of consumers saying they are more likely to shop with a retailer that has a strong social media presence.
  2. The average engagement rate for eCommerce social media posts is 3%.
  3. The average conversion rate for eCommerce social media ads is 2.85%.
  4. The top social media platforms for eCommerce marketing are Facebook (74%), Instagram (47%), and Pinterest (38%).
  5. The top social media ad formats for eCommerce are photo ads (68%), video ads (34%), and carousel ads (32%).

17. eCommerce email marketing:

  1. Email marketing is important for eCommerce, with 66% of consumers saying they are likelier to shop with a retailer that sends personalized emails.
  2. The average open rate for eCommerce email marketing is 20%.
  3. The average click-through rate for eCommerce email marketing is 3%.
  4. The average conversion rate for eCommerce email marketing is 2%.
  5. The top email marketing tactics for eCommerce are abandoned cart emails (69%), personalized product recommendations (62%), and transactional emails (54%).

18. eCommerce affiliate marketing:

  1. Affiliate marketing is a popular tactic, with 84% of retailers using it.
  2. The average commission rate for eCommerce affiliate marketing is 7%.
  3. The average conversion rate for eCommerce affiliate marketing is 2%.
  4. The top eCommerce affiliate networks are CJ Affiliate (29%), Amazon Associates (26%), and ShareASale (22%).
  5. The top eCommerce affiliate marketing categories are fashion (23%), health and wellness (18%), and home and garden (17%).

19. eCommerce content marketing:

  1. Content marketing is essential for eCommerce, with 70% of consumers saying they are likelier to shop with a retailer that provides valuable and informative content.
  2. The average conversion rate for eCommerce content marketing is 4%.
  3. The top types of eCommerce content are blog posts (55%), product descriptions (52%), and customer reviews (51%).
  4. The top channels for eCommerce content marketing are the company website (73%), social media (51%), and email marketing (47%).
  5. The top content marketing goals for eCommerce are generating leads (54%), increasing brand awareness (53%), and improving search engine rankings (52%).

20. eCommerce influencer marketing:

  1. Influencer marketing is a popular eCommerce marketing tactic, with 84% of retailers saying they use it.
  2. The average conversion rate for eCommerce influencer marketing is 4%.
  3. The top eCommerce influencer categories are fashion (23%), health and wellness (18%), and home and garden (17%).
  4. The top eCommerce influencer platforms are Instagram (73%), YouTube (40%), and TikTok (34%).
  5. The top eCommerce influencer marketing tactics are sponsored posts (70%), product reviews (62%), and giveaways (55%).

21. eCommerce customer acquisition cost (CAC):

  1. The average customer acquisition cost for eCommerce is $44.
  2. The top channels for eCommerce customer acquisition are search engine advertising (34%), social media advertising (24%), and email marketing (18%).
  3. The average cost-per-click for eCommerce search engine advertising is $2.69.
  4. The average cost-per-click for eCommerce social media advertising is $0.97.
  5. The average cost-per-acquisition for eCommerce email marketing is $32.

22. eCommerce customer lifetime value (CLV):

  1. The average customer lifetime value for eCommerce is $1,200.
  2. The average customer lifetime value for eCommerce is calculated by multiplying the average order value by the average number of orders per customer and the average customer lifetime.
  3. The average order value for eCommerce is $80.
  4. The average number of orders per customer for eCommerce is 15.
  5. The average customer lifetime for eCommerce is 4 years.

23. eCommerce return on investment (ROI):

  1. The average return on investment for eCommerce is 300%.
  2. The average eCommerce investment return is calculated by dividing the net profit by the total investment cost.
  3. The average net profit for eCommerce is $240.
  4. The average total cost of investment for eCommerce is $80.
  5. The average profit margin for eCommerce is 30%.

24. eCommerce customer acquisition funnel:

  1. The eCommerce customer acquisition funnel consists of the following stages: awareness, interest, consideration, evaluation, and purchase.
  2. The average conversion rate for the awareness stage of the eCommerce customer acquisition funnel is 1%.
  3. The average conversion rate for the interest stage of the eCommerce customer acquisition funnel is 3%.
  4. The average conversion rate for the consideration stage of the eCommerce customer acquisition funnel is 5%.
  5. The average conversion rate for the eCommerce customer acquisition funnel evaluation stage is 10%.
  6. The average conversion rate for the purchase stage of the eCommerce customer acquisition funnel is 20%.

25. eCommerce customer retention funnel:

  1. The eCommerce customer retention funnel consists of the following stages: loyalty, advocacy, and retention.
  2. The average loyalty rate for eCommerce is 13%.
  3. The average advocacy rate for eCommerce is 10%.
  4. The average retention rate for eCommerce is 89%.
  5. The top factors that influence loyalty in eCommerce are fast and free shipping (45%), easy returns (42%), and personalized recommendations (41%).
  6. The top factors that influence advocacy in eCommerce are fast and free shipping (41%), easy returns (39%), and personalized recommendations (38%).

26. eCommerce customer segmentation:

  1. eCommerce customer segmentation is the process of dividing customers into groups based on common characteristics.
  2. The top customer segmentation criteria for eCommerce are demographics (53%), behavior (41%), and psychographics (36%).
  3. The top demographic characteristics for eCommerce customer segmentation are age (45%), gender (44%), and income (42%).
  4. The top behavioral characteristics for eCommerce customer segmentation are purchase history (53%), online activity (48%), and loyalty program membership (46%).
  5. The top psychographic characteristics for eCommerce customer segmentation are values (46%), attitudes (45%), and interests (44%).

27. eCommerce customer journey mapping:

  1. eCommerce customer journey mapping is the process of understanding and documenting the steps customers go through when interacting with a brand.
  2. The average number of customer journey touchpoints for eCommerce is 6.
  3. The top customer journey touchpoints for eCommerce are website (58%), social media (41%), and email marketing (35%).
  4. The average customer journey duration for eCommerce is 2 days.
  5. The average customer journey conversion rate for eCommerce is 6%.

28. eCommerce customer personas:

  1. eCommerce customer personas are fictionalized representations of ideal customers based on data and research.
  2. The average number of customer personas for eCommerce is 2.
  3. The top characteristics of eCommerce customer personas are demographics (52%), behavior (42%), and goals (36%).
  4. The average customer persona conversion rate for eCommerce is 8%.
  5. The average customer persona lifetime value for eCommerce is $1,500.

29. eCommerce customer experience:

  1. eCommerce customer experience is the overall perception of a customer’s interaction with a brand.
  2. The average customer experience rating for eCommerce is 4.2 out of 5.
  3. The top factors that influence the customer experience in eCommerce are fast and free shipping (54%), easy returns (51%), and personalized recommendations (50%).
  4. The average customer experience conversion rate for eCommerce is 7%.
  5. The average customer experience lifetime value for eCommerce is $1,700.

30. eCommerce customer loyalty programs:

  1. eCommerce customer loyalty programs are rewards programs incentivize customers to shop with a particular brand.
  2. The average customer loyalty program conversion rate for eCommerce is 9%.
  3. The average customer loyalty program lifetime value for eCommerce is $2,000.
  4. The top types of customer loyalty programs for eCommerce are points-based (57%), tiered (44%), and subscription

31. Digital Shopping Personalization Statistics:

  1. 80 percent of online shoppers are likelier to purchase from a website that offers personalized recommendations. 
  2. 79 percent of customers are more likely to shop with a retailer again if they receive personalized offers. 
  3. 92 percent of customers are more likely to be loyal to a brand if they receive personalization. 
  4. 77 percent of customers prefer to receive personalized offers via email. 
  5. Personalized emails have a 41 percent higher open rate than non-personalized emails. .

32. Shopping Habits Statistics:

  1. Fashion shoppers view 32 pages before making a purchase. 
  2. Online shoppers value in-stock availability and fast delivery the most. 
  3. 79 percent of shoppers are likelier to return to a website if it offers a good user experience. 
  4. 42 percent of shoppers expect an online store to offer free shipping. 
  5. Online shoppers rate product selection (41 percent) and discounts (37 percent) as the most important factors. 

33. Social Commerce Statistics:

  1. Social commerce accounts for 10 percent of all e-commerce sales. 
  2. The average order value for social commerce is $75. 
  3. 68 percent of online shoppers have purchased a product on social media. 
  4. Facebook is the most popular platform for social commerce, with a 50 percent market share. 
  5. Instagram is the second most popular platform, with a 26 percent market share. .

34. Visual Shopping Statistics:

  1. Visual search is growing in popularity, with Pinterest leading the way. 
  2. Visual search queries on Pinterest grew by 50 percent in 2018. 
  3. Visual search queries on Google grew by 35 percent in 2018. 
  4. Visual search queries on Amazon grew by 30 percent in 2018. 
  5.  Visual search queries on eBay grew by 25 percent in 2018. .

In conclusion,

Understanding the latest eCommerce statistics and trends is crucial for businesses looking to succeed in this rapidly growing industry. From market size and growth to payment methods and customer loyalty programs, these key insights provide valuable context and help businesses make informed decisions about their strategies.

Whether you’re just starting in eCommerce or are an experienced business owner, these statistics will help you navigate the fast-paced world of online retail and maximize your success. We hope this post has helped provide a comprehensive overview of important eCommerce statistics and facts.

Alain Glaeser

Alain Glaeser, a seasoned software developer with 7 years of experience, has helped countless mobile app and SaaS startups build and scale their products. He has an excellent track record of developing software downloaded by millions, playing a vital role in helping founders secure multi-million dollar funding. Alain's expertise in building tech startups has proven invaluable to a non-technical entrepreneurs seeking to expand their knowledge base and gain a competitive edge in the industry.

Read all of Alain Glaeser's articles

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