Online retail is an ever-changing industry and given the current state of things, it's more important than ever that your e-commerce business is ready to handle your growing needs.

Many e-commerce businesses have had to shift the way their business and shipping processes operate in order to meet the current expectations and demands. During this shift, businesses might need to enhance their overall service and process, which, in turn, can be a costly and tedious process. 

How can e-commerce businesses like yours be able to save money, receive an ROI, meet customer expectations, and efficiently streamline your shipping processes?

During the Age of Amazon, retail has become an increasingly tough business. Personalization and innovation are fundamental for retailers’ survival now more than ever. When it comes to selling and shipping in the digital age, Amazon is one of the largest influencers for customer expectations and behavior. They’ve determined the rules of e-commerce and retail overall, as they now control 49% of the US e-commerce market at 5% of all retail sales. This display of power was evident when analysts estimated that Amazon generated over $10.1 billion in sales on its best day last year.

How do you stack up in the Age of Amazon? We’ve compiled a few tips to help you remain competitive and get started on thinking about retail shipping the same way that Amazon does.

Amazon has come a long way since their birth in 1994, when they first began as a humble e-commerce store selling just books, before they grew into the online retail giant they are today. Many are fascinated with the level of their success, while businesses are wary of the trail they are blazing as they try to keep up with the changing landscape.

So, how does Amazon manage to stay on top? And more importantly, how can you compete and leverage their success simultaneously?

Retail giant Amazon is consistently raising the bar for purchasing products online. As they continue to raise expectations, customers have come to expect the same level of service from every online store. This increase in customer expectations is now known as the “Amazon effect.”

Thanks to Amazon, customers take ordering online for granted. They’ve set a new standard where convenience and consistency is assumed, no matter where customers buy from. Now, online stores will always be compared to the streamlined processes they know and value from Amazon.

Customers demand a fast, personalized and friction-less buying experience, but this of course raises some serious challenges for ecommerce stores wanting to compete.

Let’s explore a few of these expectations and how your business can fight back.