The holidays are over, and 2024 is upon us! This week, weâre taking a look at how the e-commerce landscape has shifted â and how it might continue to evolve in the coming months. Here are some canât-miss stories to get you through the weekendâŚ.
Amazon Prime to roll out ads for streaming customers â viewers who want an ad-free experience will have to pay extra.
Point-of-sale lender Affirmâs stock quintupled in 2023, reflecting a stronger-than-expected economy.
Shopify is shifting focus away from entrepreneurs with new enterprise-oriented services.
Improve your organic traffic with these 7 SEO (search engine optimization) tests.
The Amazon Corner
Ads Incoming: Amazon Prime to Roll Out Ads This Month
Time to say goodbye to ad-free streaming? In a recent email to subscribers, Amazon announced that theyâd start displaying advertisements to streaming customers starting this month. According to the company, the introduction of ads will allow them to âcontinue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time.â They also noted that the goal is to have âmeaningfully fewer adsâ than traditional broadcast television.
While this news will no doubt disappoint many Prime users, Amazonâs move is in line with a broader trend within the streaming industry, with competitors like Netflix also introducing paid tiers of service supported by ads. U.S.-based customers will be given an option to upgrade to an ad-free experience for an additional $2.99 per month.
Comeback Season: After a Rough 2022, Affirm's Stock Quintupled in 2023
Photo Credit: Gabby Jones | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Can we chalk it up to positive affirm-ations? Point-of-sale lender Affirmâs shares were down 90% by the end of 2022, with many wary customers opting out of their buy-now-pay-later services in light of economic uncertainty. Against all odds, the company managed to turn it around in 2023, outperforming all other U.S.-based tech companies valued at $5 billion or more and seeing its stock price increase by an incredible 430%.
With more retailers than ever adopting their services â including Amazon âfears that Affirmâs days were numbered have dissipated. Great Hill Capital chairman Tom Hayes explains that while many forecasted increased unemployment, higher interest rates, and diminished consumer spending, âthe exact opposite has happened on all fronts,â setting the stage for what may well be a historic comeback.
The Big Shift: Shopify To Expand Beyond Entrepreneurs, Target Large Enterprises
Photo Credit: Sean Kilpatrick | The Canadian Press
Itâs always a risk to rest on your laurels: In a move thatâs sure to shake up the world of global merchandising, Shopify is shifting focus from smaller entrepreneurs to larger partnerships in 2024. While the Canadian tech giant carved its niche by helping small- and medium-sized businesses build out their online marketplaces, its stock price declined sharply in 2022, prompting a renewed emphasis on major partners, including Adobe, Oracle, and Salesforce.
As part of this new effort, the company will offer Ă -la-carte features â which will allow for greater customization â for global retail partners with $500 million or more in annual sales. The bid seems to be primed for success, with Shopify Plus â the companyâs premium platform for high-performing merchants â contributing substantially to their overall revenue.
Try this. Change up creative from platform to platform â what works on Facebook might not work as well on Instagram.
FUN FACT
70% of consumers will pay 5% more for eco-friendly products.
LISTEN UP
In this 117th episode of The E-Comm Show, host Andrew Maff explores the myriad of Facebook Ad audiences that e-commerce sellers should test. He delves into the specifics, from Video Viewer lookalikes to various population percentages for visitors, purchasers, and email lists.
Furthermore, Andrew discusses the importance of creating an omnichannel experience in e-commerce. This approach not only boosts brand awareness but also enhances customer comfort with their purchases. Additionally, he reveals strategies for increasing Facebook followers without direct payment. Andrew focuses on designing ads that serve dual purposes: achieving primary goals while simultaneously bolstering follower growth.
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