Small businesses are a major driver of growth in e-commerce. While big players see success online, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) contribute 45% of all goods sold and are growing 20% annually. SMBs succeed online due to their passion and creativity, knowledge of niche markets, and ability to provide a personal customer experience and local advice. However, SMBs face challenges of lack of capital, competition, and lack of help. To help SMBs thrive, e-commerce platforms need to provide simple and affordable online store solutions that SMBs can fully control, and support to help SMBs focus on their products and customers.
3. “Everyone should be able to sell
their products online”
Wilfried Beeck, CEO & Founder ePages
4. 160+ employees
Offices in Hamburg, Jena,
Barcelona, London & New York
140,000 merchants
selling in 15+ languages
Two decades of shop software
for small businesses
Provider of online shops
in the cloud
Partnerships with resellers, e.g.
STRATO, 1&1 and Telekom
5. “I cannot imagine doing anything other than fashion. ePages takes care of all
the technical and legal considerations. I don’t need to think about these.”
Christiane Bär, Mavalou-shop.com
10. However, SMBs are the driver of growth
• 45 % of all goods are sold by SMB merchants
• 20 % annual growth rate for small merchants over the
past 5 years in Germany
12. + 18% in sales for SMBs in Germany
Source: ePages | Sales vs. LY in %
13. “Our ePages shop allows us to compete with the big boys, and has secured our
future. Online sales doubled in 2 years, and are now 25% of total turnover.”
Sarah Jones, Bathroomsatsource.co.uk
25. What really drives an SMB
Source: Manta
Other
14%
Monetary benefits 4%
Increased confidence
and self-esteem 7%
Being my own boss
23%
Independence
52%
26. Challenges a SMB faces
Source: Manta
lack of capital competition lack of good help taxes government regulationhealthy costslack of government supportrise in minimum wage
2
66
9
13
16
17
29