Written by, Jalluri
Updated March, 14, 2023
There are over two billion websites. How many of them are ecommerce sites? Let’s check that out in this article.
With the advent of eCommerce sites, people have started to shop differently. In fact, these sites have started a revolution. Are you wondering how many eCommerce sites are there? You’ll find out soon.
During the 2000s, the internet became widely accessible to more people around the world. Since then, eCommerce companies, such as Amazon and eBay, became incredibly popular. Today, eCommerce sites across the world continue to grow every single day. The year 2021 is expected to make $4.5 trillion in sales through eCommerce sites.
There are more or less around two billion websites worldwide.
Sources: (Hosting Tribunal), (Siteefy), (Statista)
The first website (1991) came to life after two years of work by Tim Berners-Lee. Year by year, the rate of websites had nowhere to go but up. Therefore, by 2014, there were already a billion websites across the world. However, in 2015, the number of websites had a downfall, and it wasn’t until 2016 when it came back again to a billion sites.
Nevertheless, a jump to 2019 reveals that there were more than 1.5 bn active websites at the time. The above-mentioned data leads us to a staggering number of nearly 2 bn websites available worldwide (2021).
Anyway, the rate of websites keeps on increasing by roughly 1500 sites per day, making it impossible to keep track of the exact number of sites at present. But, the number of active websites on the internet is around 400 million.
The number of eCommerce sites around the world is somewhere between 12 and 24 million.
Sources: (WPForms), (SaveMyCent)
Ecommerce statistics show there are approximately 12 to 24 million eCommerce sites available all over the world today. And each passing day, more sites are being created and launched; this shows that eCommerce websites are booming by the day. Still, interesting enough is the fact that just under one million website retailers are selling over $1.000 per year on these eCommerce sites.
Amazon, with less than 3 bn visits a month, holds the number one position among eCommerce sites.
Sources: (Ecommerce Guide), (Influencer MarketingHub), (Clue Commerce)
Ecommerce search shows that sites in the United States like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay are largely popular. It is no surprise that America leads the global eCommerce sector. After all, online shopping statistics reveal that more than 200 million people do their shopping online.
Below are ten eCommerce sites that make it to the top:
As many as 2 bn people buy goods via eCommerce websites.
Sources: (Statista), (Digital Commerce 360)
Following Digital Commerce 360 estimation, the United States reached a high eCommerce growth of 44% (2020).
Whereas, online shopping statistics point out to more than 21% of sales belonging to none less than online shoppers.
Additionally, in 2020, over 2 bn individuals purchased items from eCommerce websites. Simultaneously, as much as $4.2 T was made via online retails solely.
This indicates that with the rise of access to the internet around the world, the number of e-buyers is on the rise.
Ecommerce retailers need to use a variety of sales channels to maximize their earnings.
Sources: (Rakuten Super Logistics), (Doofinder), (sales layer)
These are the top ecommerce (online) sales channels that marketers can make the most of:
The US eCommerce penetration rate reached over 21% (2020).
Sources: (Digital Commerce 360), (SmartInsights)
Online retail stores continue to rise each year. The eCommerce penetration rate hit no less than 21.3 percent in 2020, compared to nearly 16 percent (2019) and 14.3 percent in 2018. US retail sales have, for the first time, recorded an increase of over five percent in eCommerce penetration. And, an extra $174.87 bn has been added to 2020 eCommerce revenue because of the sales made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, here’s also a rundown of eCommerce sales rise worldwide (2020):
More than seventy million eCommerce sites are built on WordPress.
Sources: (Kinsta), (Web Hosting Secret Revealed), (Hosting Tribunal)
A survey by Barn2 revealed that WooCommerce (with more than three million sites using it) is THE most used WordPress plug-in. In other words, over ninety-three percent of eCommerce sites are using the WooCommerce plugin on WordPress. And WooCommerce stats indicate that out of the top one million sites, twenty-two percent are making use of eCommerce technologies.
The Boston Computer Exchange was established in 1982.
Sources: (BigCommerce), (Quizlet), (Visual Capitalist)
In brief, the beginning of ecommerce was marked with the first sponsored adverts seen on a website.
Nevertheless, looking at ecommerce’s timeline, the company that first marked the start of ecommerce was the Boston Computer Exchange. Moreover, this company was primarily created as an online marketplace for individuals who wanted to sell their old computers.
Currently, there are over twenty-four million eCommerce websites across the world.
Sources: (Kommando Tech), (WP Forms)
The latest data and eCommerce stats, point out to as many as twenty-four and even more million eCommerce websites around the globe. Anyway, this is a number that is yet to change, since new e-shops are being opened daily.
The US, solely, is expected to reach at least three hundred million e-shoppers by 2023.
Sources: (Optinmonster), (Sleeknote)
In 2020, the global online shopping market reached more or less four trillion. And, the latest study on US online shoppers shows that by 2023, the US is expecting to harbor 300 million e-shoppers. That is pretty much a mind-blowing 91 percent of the country’s population.
Further, research shows that 69 percent of Americans have had an online shopping experience, while 25 percent take part in online shopping at least once a month. 59 percent of shoppers purchased clothes, while 47 percent bought their very first Amazon product.
Over two billion people are doing online shopping around the world.
Sources: (Kommando Tech), (Statista), (Fit Small Business), (Statista)
A Statista report on e-shoppers in the USA revealed that in 2021, the number of digital shoppers is expected to reach as high as 230.5 million. Whereas, speaking globally, by the year 2021, it is expected that 2.1 bn people will purchase goods and services from eCommerce sites, including small online retailers. Compared to 2019, when there were 1.92 bn global digital buyers, this is considered quite the rise in numbers.
Nevertheless, interestingly enough is the piece of information that by 2023, India is expected to have the highest number of eCommerce users. This is due to the day-to-day increase of people starting to depend immensely on online orders and also because of the COVID-19 impact.
More than 70% of EU online shoppers purchased goods via eCommerce sites (2020).
Sources: (Eurostat), (Statista), (Web Hosting Secret Revealed)
A recent Eurostat report states that 73 percent of European digital shoppers purchased something via eCommerce sites. On the other hand, no less than 80 percent of Americans bought at least one item through eCommerce websites.
Nevertheless, the numbers of online shoppers in the European, American and other parts of the world are estimated to surpass more than 2 bn.
These figures indicate that buying things online is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. And this is mainly because shopping online is convenient and less time-consuming.
Exactly 79 percent of US people used mobile devices to purchase something online.
Sources: (Outerbox), (Oberlo)
This doesn’t come as a surprise, since there are 100 million tablet owners in the USA. Consequently, a recent Outerbox report revealed 79 percent of individuals have used a smartphone to buy something online, just in the last six months.
Moreover, research shows that over 50 percent of those who own smartphones/tablets use company-oriented applications to shop for products online.
While, in a different report by Oberlo, we find out that mobile commerce is seeing a rise in numbers. That said, mobile e-commerce sales have increased by a bit over 39 percent. In other words, today’s mobile eCommerce market share is nearly 73 percent.
Additionally, this means that online purchases take up roughly every 3 out of 4 dollars spent; this is money spent via mobile devices/phones.
Around 33 percent of e-stores use Dropshipping as a selling model.
Sources: (Shift4 Shop), (Globe Newswire), (Grand View Research)
Data reveal that with the growth of eCommerce (nearly 17 percent) by the year, Dropshipping will experience simultaneous growth too. Additionally, the global dropshipping market is estimated to register a CAGR of around 29% by 2025.
However, one way, or another this market is under the influence of the rise of eCommerce. With that said, Dropshipping, as an e-commerce business model does not have to keep readily available merchandise. Instead, websites can sell things without actually having them in stock. Some of the best eCommerce websites conduct online sales through Dropshipping.
The USA has over one million eCommerce sites.
Sources: (EtailInsights), (Digital Intheround), (LinkedIn Global e-commerce market size), (SaveMyCent)
A 2020 report showed that a total of 1.3 million companies in the US rely on eCommerce sites for sales and revenue. However, if we take away the marketplace resellers from this figure, there would be between 250.000 and 300.000 eCommerce companies in total.
Additionally, the latest US eCommerce stats unveil the fact that the USA has more than 230 million e-shoppers as of this year—meaning, it is among the biggest eCommerce markets worldwide. In upcoming years, it is expected that this figure will rise as eCommerce businesses prove to bring in more revenue than retail stores.
There are over 2 million ecommerce sites in the United States.
Source: (EtailInsights)
According to recent data from Etailinsights, there are presently 9.1 million online retailers, and 2.5 million of them are in the US.
Boomers, with 29%, are the biggest group of e-buyers in the USA.
Source: (Statista)
This age group includes individuals between the ages of 25 to 40. According to a Statista report (February 2020), millennials accounted for more or less, 20.2 percent of the eCommerce sites usage in the United States.
This age group includes people between the ages of 41 to 56. Gen X-ers made up nearly 16 percent of the total digital buyers in the United States.
This age group includes individuals between the ages of 55 to 75 years. Surprisingly, boomers make up 29 percent of the total eCommerce users.
This age group includes buyers between the ages of 6 to 24 years. Gen-Zers occupy 18.2 percent of the total digital buyers in the United States.
China, with nearly 16% total retail sales, presents the largest e-commerce market worldwide.
Sources: (Business.com), (Oberlo)
China reaches more than $2.779 bn online sales (2021).
Source: (Oberlo)
Ecommerce online sales by country (2021)
With more than 386 BN, Amazon is the biggest ecommerce brand in 2022.
Sources: (Axiomq), (similarweb Blog), (JD.com)
Amazon, a pioneering internet firm founded in 1994 and has since become well-known for online purchasing, is now a household name for ecommerce.
Today, this internet company generates the most significant revenue globally ($386.06 BN).
Additionally, check out the following top ecommerce brands around the world:
Ecommerce start-ups valued at 1 BN dollars or more made up an industry worth almost 113 billion dollars (2021).
Sources: (Statista), (Exploding Topics)
Today there are so many things you can buy without leaving the comfort of your home (Thai/Chinese food, car parts, motorcycles, even cannabis, and much more). And since the ecommerce market is seeing such a rise in recent times, we decided to look into the fastest growing ecommerce start-ups in 2022.
These are the top five rising e-startups (2022):
By 2022, China is expected to have the most penetrated ecommerce market in the world.
Sources: (Statista), (Statista), (Business)
Statista survey data (2022) reveal that China, with around 50% of its retail sales, is set to become the most used ecommerce market worldwide. Additionally, China is followed by the UK (36.1 percent) and South Korea (32.3 percent), with retail sales predicted to occur online.
Among the other names, i.e., countries, you’ll find the following:
An eCommerce website on average makes roughly $150.000 a month.
Sources: (RJ Metrics), (Arka)
A calculation by Arka revealed that in 3 months, an eCommerce site (in the States) is estimated to make approximately $150.000 in revenue each month. Meaning, by the end of the year, the site can make as much as $330.000. Therefore, a fully working and established eCommerce site after 3 years, can start making one million in revenue a month. That itself, is a mind-blowing increase of around 230 percent, compared to the first year of the business/eCommerce site.
The eCommerce market touched 4.28 T in 2021.
Sources: (Statista), (Shopify), (Oberlo)
Following a Statista report (2021), eCommerce markets worldwide reached 4.28 T (US dollars). And, by 2022, it is estimated that e-retail revenue will reach 5.4 T.
However, Oberlo’s report from 2021, presented a full breakdown (2019 to 2024) regarding the e-commerce share of retail sales:
Source: (Statista)
Online shopping is considered one of the most popular online activities globally. Therefore, it has become an increasingly significant component of retailing.
Consequently, according to the eCommerce retail monitor projections, online shopping is expected to account for 21 percent of global retail sales in 2022. Following further predictions, the online sector will reach approximately a quarter of total global retail sales by 2025.
Source: (Census.gov)
Recent statistics published by the Census Bureau of Commerce revealed that ecommerce sales made up nearly 13 percent of total revenue in Q4, 2021. Moreover, the estimate of US retail ecommerce sales on a non-adjusted basis for Q4 2021 was $257.6 bn, which is up 25.7 percent from Q3 2021.
Additionally, in Q2 2021, the ecommerce estimate grew slightly over 9 percent from the previous year, while total retail sales expanded 15.1 percent.
Sources: (P2P Marketing), (HubSpot)
Sources: (Awario), (Oberlo)
Sources: (Sleeknote), (Transaction.)
Sources: (WP Forms), (Neil Patel Blog (5 eCommerce Stats))
Cross-border shopping, with nearly 60%, is being sought more often by e-shoppers.
Sources: (Beeketing Blog), (SmartHint)
Nevertheless, the eCommerce future looks vibrant and promising. It is no wonder, with the fast tech advancement and infrastructure, this market is set to experience many novelties.
The US ecommerce sales growth ratio is expected to reach $1 trillion for the first time in 2022.
Sources: (Insider Intelligence)
According to eMarketer data, before the epidemic, the outcomes did not anticipate ecommerce increasing to the milestone mentioned above until 2024.
Consequently, by 2022, worldwide ecommerce sales are expected to be $5 trillion and $6 trillion by 2024.
Sources: (Shopify), (Influencer MarketingHub), (Forbes)
In 2021, the number of internet buyers was more than 2 BN, about 28% of the worldwide population.
Let’s see what some of the online shopping trends 2022 holds for us are:
There are five most common types of online buyers.
Source: (Brandlock)
You’re well aware that different consumers enter brick-and-mortar shops with diverse expectations, likes, and purchasing habits. And, they usually don’t have the same way of thinking about things.
Therefore, we decided to look at the most prevalent types of internet buyers there are. Those are the following:
The average yearly earnings for an online boutique in the US is around $49.000.
Sources: (ZipRecruiter), (Public Affairs World)
Following the latest reports (March, 2022), online boutiques in the States earn $48.901 per year. Moreover, based on these digits, we can make out that online boutiques make more or less $23 an hour.
Furthermore, this leads to the conclusion that these boutiques make approximately $940 each week, or roughly $4.000 per month.
One of the eCommerce millionaires is Raunak Nirmal (Acquco), who has raised $160 million to buy firms that will earn around $250 million in revenue this year.
Sources: (Hostinger), (Forbes)
Making money by selling items online is one of the most popular methods. Due to its benefits, brick-and-mortar businesses are turning to eCommerce at a greater rate.
Therefore, we turned to the Forbes list of 30 under 30 retails & ecommerce list to check out the hot new millionaires in eCommerce for this year.
Here are five eCommerce millionaires to follow for 2022:
Sources: (Statista), (UNCTAD)
COVID-19 continues to affect e-commerce sales, alongside online consumer behavior. Since thousands of people were said to stay at home, to slow down the spread of the virus, online shopping became the best alternative for the in-person shopping experience.
It comes as no surprise that in June 2020, e-commerce traffic registered 22 bn visits each month. Simultaneously, the demand for groceries, clothes, hygiene, and tech items made some of the best covid sales. Therefore, Latin America, Africa, and China marked a significant rise in online retail sales.
For instance, Latin America was selling x2 much more than the previous year. The African platform, Jumia, has seen fifty percent more transactions in the first 6 months of 2020.
On the other hand, less developed countries and places, weren’t so lucky to capitalize during the pandemic; mostly due to constant blockades like
Depending on how COVID-19 continues to change the world, online usage and e-commerce sales will also be changing.
In the Covid-19, 61 percent of respondents stated that they began buying online more frequently than previously.
Sources: (Statista), (FastCompany)
The COVID-19 era has witnessed a dramatic shift in the world of ecommerce, and it will most certainly continue to do so in 2022. Hence, consumers’ expectations have only increased during the epidemic.
The Global Consumer Survey in the US (2021) showed some interesting results. Here are the top 5 categories that marked the highest increase of online sales in the USA:
It is easy to summarize the above-mentioned stats and facts on eCommerce sites. It is more than obvious that e-commerce is creeping into every aspect of the global economy. Moreover, it is spreading with a skyrocketing speed around the globe.
The advances that mobile technology is achieving by the year, are paving a smooth path to e-commerce in all directions. As well as the fact that more and more people are online, whether that be through a desktop or a mobile device. Additionally, the COVID-19 gave quite the push (upwards) to this contagious business sector, thus, it looks like there is no way but UP for eCommerce.