Ecommerce

Ecommerce is the practice of buying and selling products or services online. It includes everything from a simple website with checkout to complex online stores with payments, fulfillment, and customer accounts.

Why it matters
Ecommerce removes geographic limits. It allows businesses to reach customers anywhere, sell at any time, and test ideas faster than traditional retail. For many creators and small businesses, it’s the most accessible way to start and grow.

What ecommerce is not
Ecommerce is not “set it and forget it.” A website alone doesn’t create sales. Success depends on clear positioning, trust, systems, and ongoing attention to the customer experience.

Where this shows up

• Online stores and digital storefronts
• Product-based businesses
• Subscription and membership models
• Content-driven brands selling products or services

Related terms

• Business Model (how ecommerce generates revenue)
• Print-on-Demand (POD) (a common ecommerce fulfillment method)
• Product Development (what you sell and how it evolves)
• Scaling (what happens when ecommerce demand increases)