E-commerce is changing the mindset of MSME's Owner

Hello everyone! 

Welcome to my very first article  ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

So right now I have a question for you! yes you! not anyone else! 

What's the question?  but first i want you to take a look at this picture!

After seeing the pictures up there..

When you want to do shopping or lets just say when you want to buy something have you ever used an application like Tokopedia, Shopee, Lazada, Bukalapak, Blibli? Surely you have used right? It's impossible if you've never tried! unless you are technologically clueless! sorry im joking~~ 

So basically this application is called e-commerce. What is exactly e-commerce? Let me wrap this definition for you !

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) refers to companies and individuals that buy and sell goods and services over the internet. E-commerce operates in different types of market segments and can be conducted over computers, tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices. Nearly every imaginable product and service is available through e-commerce transactions, including books, music, plane tickets, and financial services such as stock investing and online banking.

E-commerce is really a huge thing right now, well actually it has been developing rapidly in Indonesia from 2020 to 2022, e-commerce has become a form of business that has existed in Indonesia since 1994, here is the history of the development of Indonesian e-commerce. 

The idea of using e-commerce is really profitable for sellers or entrepreneur to market their products more widely, it also changes the mindset of entrepreneurs. 

The idea of the entrepreneur is changing, influenced by time and the development of technology and networks. This is right broader use of mobile devices makes corresponding SMEs more accessible. This means a larger number people are now social-networking users by extension and in consequence an even bigger audience. They know the importance of communicating their wants, needs, ideas to others. The future of the product, and how it will be used are decided before they take leave from their place of production. One of the most obvious technological advancements today is e-commerce, the practice in which we can now purchase goods and services by means Using credit cards. 

Businesses with the ability to embrace e-commerce have numerous advantages going for them. To mention just a few, transaction constitutes service and good exchange, instant response virtual requests, money transfer, financial activities, e-invoicing, direct marketing, distribution, payment, and after-sale services. In the last few years, the momentum of e-commerce which refers to electronic commerce (e-commerce) has seamlessly paraded among Indonesian small and medium enterprises. 

From the data collected in Feb.2022, a total of 9.9 million of SMEs entrepreneurs had registered and were conducting business on the digital e-commerce platform. Many activities by the government are means to digitize small and medium-sized enterprises in view of using e-commerce which is effective to their survival, which is more evident during the pandemic when the economy is almost on a standstill.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of many economies, contributing significantly to employment generation, innovation, and economic growth. In today's digital age, harnessing the power of technology is essential for MSMEs to thrive and remain competitive in the market. One such technology that has emerged as a game-changer for MSMEs is the e-commerce mobile application. By leveraging e-commerce mobile applications, MSMEs can unlock new opportunities, reach a wider audience, and maximize their performance in the digital marketplace.

One of the key advantages of e-commerce mobile applications for MSMEs is the ability to create personalized and engaging shopping experiences for customers. Through features such as product recommendations, personalized offers, and seamless checkout processes, MSMEs can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, driving repeat purchases and increasing customer lifetime value.

Moreover, e-commerce mobile applications enable MSMEs to streamline their operations and improve efficiency across various business functions. From inventory management and order processing to customer relationship management and marketing automation, e-commerce mobile applications offer a range of tools and functionalities to simplify day-to-day operations and drive productivity.

Now I want you to try to understand from the entrepreneur's side! 😊

As an e-Commerce store owner you’ve got to compete against retailers both offline and online. There are also unsavory manufacturers of the products made worse by cheap replicas flooding the market.

It isn’t easy. Access to products from manufacturers is easily achieved and as such there are hundreds of people competing for a chance at a slice of the pie. As an entrepreneur, it is your task to come up with creative solutions to such problems. Despite manufacturers and retailers competing with you, there’s ample opportunity to make the value proposition attractive to the buyer.

Things like customer service and free shipping over a minimum purchase value and guaranteed free returns are things that go a long way in retaining customer loyalty. Creating a good customer service experience also implies that your inventory is always filled to the brim. Imagine a customer comes to the site hopeful of a purchase only to discover that the product’s no longer in stock. That’s why you must be obsessed with cash flow. To run an eCommerce business, you always need to have cash on hand to purchase products beforehand. Stocks should be available to make available any large orders.

You can’t make excuses.

People value experience more than always trying to get the better deal for themselves. If you can win on experience, you can retain customers. Only an entrepreneur can come up with creative solutions to such problems.

Additionally, e-commerce mobile applications provide MSMEs with valuable insights into customer behavior and market trends through data analytics and reporting features. By analyzing customer preferences, purchasing patterns, and demographic information, MSMEs can make informed decisions regarding product offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing campaigns, thereby optimizing their performance and staying ahead of the competition.

Furthermore, e-commerce mobile applications empower MSMEs to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics in real-time. With the flexibility to update product listings, modify pricing, and launch promotional campaigns on-the-fly, MSMEs can quickly respond to market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities, ensuring their continued growth and success in the digital marketplace.

However, maximizing performance through e-commerce mobile applications requires MSMEs to overcome certain challenges, including limited technical expertise, resource constraints, and concerns about data security and privacy. To address these challenges, MSMEs can leverage external expertise through partnerships with e-commerce platforms, digital agencies, or technology providers, who can offer guidance, support, and training to help MSMEs harness the full potential of e-commerce mobile applications.

In conclusion, e-commerce mobile applications present a powerful opportunity for MSMEs to enhance their performance, expand their reach, and drive growth in the digital economy. By embracing technology and adopting a customer-centric approach, MSMEs can leverage e-commerce mobile applications to create compelling shopping experiences, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge in the market. With the right strategy and support, MSMEs can unlock new possibilities and realize their full potential in the digital marketplace.

Thank you for staying untill the end~ See you in another article!