The importance of e-commerce is growing worldwide. In Spain, more than 70% of internet users shop online, according to data from the2018 Annual eCommerce Study from IAB Spain. In total, almost 20 million people trust the security and efficiency of e-commerce platforms to do their shopping.
As a result, more and more entrepreneurs are opening their businesses to the digital world and choosing online sales. In recent years, cloud computing has become a natural ally of e-commerce due to its many advantages, ranging from scalability to cost optimisation.
E-commerce and cloud platforms
Using the cloud to host an e-commerce platform opens up a wide range of possibilities for both small and large businesses. It is a technology that can bring many benefits to the industry, at a B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer) level. Normally, based on the as-a-service business model.
Cost saving. Having a remote, accessible infrastructure allows you to cut costs in support, infrastructure and hardware. This translates into a much smaller first investment, accessible to both small or start-up e-commerce companies and to large brands.
Working with an e-commerce cloud platform also helps to reduce maintenance costs. This means sellers can dedicate less human and economic effort on technology and they can focus on aspects that boost the business itself, such as marketing and SEO.
Scalability. Cloud technology allows you to adapt resources to the needs of any given moment. Cloud platforms allow website capacity to increase or decrease based on demand, offering greater speed and a shorter response time. In other words, a better user experience.
This is key for online stores, where demand can be very seasonal and there are often high peaks of activity. For example, just before Christmas, during sales or on Black Friday. Additional resources that are used at peak times are not kept active when demand drops again, so resources are not wasted and there are no unnecessary expenses.
Greater security. Storing data in a virtual infrastructure means it is possible for the website to be always operational and helps to reduce the risks associated with failures, thefts or cyberattacks. This is essential for e-commerce, where the loss or theft of customer data can lead to numerous legal and organisational problems. On the other hand, a system crash can trigger a negative image and a reduction in the number of sales.
Easy to manage. Cloud systems are managed intuitively with easy to use tools. This, together with the support and information service from the cloud services provider, such as Azure or AWS, or the marketer, makes them a great option for launching an online business.
The savings, scalability, security and easy management make cloud platforms a more efficient option than in-house applications, servers or software. They allow established entrepreneurs and businesspeople to offer their product catalogues through e-commerce platforms without having to spend too much time and resources on their digital tools.
Images |Unsplash/Igor Miske
