How to Start An Ecommerce Business in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

“E-commerce isn’t the cherry on the cake, it’s the new cake.” — Jean-Paul Ago, CEO of L’Oréal.

Financial technology is the hero contributing to this e-commerce boom. It ensures that online purchasing is not feasible but a seamless experience for users with the possibility to make purchases in just a few clicks.

Experts predict that the e-commerce market will generate 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2024. So, the potential to reap the benefits of distributing the products and solutions in the niche is vast. 

As the CEO of the fintech software agency DashDevs, I’ve seen first-hand how the integration of fintech solutions in our clients’ e-commerce businesses significantly grew their revenue. 

In this article, I will share the analysis of the e-commerce industry, emphasizing the crucial role of fintech integrations. Besides, I’ll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to start an ecommerce business in 2025. Finally, I’ll reveal how to handle payment-related issues in e-commerce and development challenges based on real-world case studies. 

Ecommerce Industry Overview: A Data-Based Snapshot and Trends

The e-commerce industry is not confined to specific geographies; it’s a globally spread sector. As high technology continues to evolve, so does the e-commerce landscape, opening doors to novel business models, customer engagement strategies, and a horizon of possibilities yet to be explored. As such, Experts predict continued growth in social commerce, personalization, and AR/VR technologies, which will lead to the emergence of certain market trends. 

The larger picture also reflects this trend, with the global e-commerce market revenue projected to reach a remarkable $3.64 trillion in 2023 and the growth rate expected to hover around 8% in the subsequent years, showcasing the intertwined growth of e-commerce and fintech integrations.

Source: International Trade Administration

The prowess of the global e-commerce market is epitomized by key players like Amazon, Alibaba, and Shopify, whose digital platforms have become synonymous with online shopping. As of mid-2022, Amazon alone accounted for 37.8% of the U.S. e-commerce market, showcasing its substantial lead over other online retailers. 

Market leaders who understand how to start an ecommerce business, exhibit innovative business models, customer-centric approaches, and robust digital infrastructures that set industry standards and inspire a plethora of emerging e-commerce ventures. Their success stories provide a roadmap for other aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs, highlighting the potential for innovation, customer engagement, and global reach in digital commerce.

While the giants dominate the broader market, the advent of niche e-commerce markets is a testament to the industry’s versatility and the endless opportunities it harbors. From eco-friendly products and artisanal crafts to bespoke apparel and specialized tech gadgets, niche markets cater to a discerning clientele seeking unique, high-quality products. These markets are not merely surviving; they are thriving, carving a space for themselves in the vast digital marketplace.

Here are some niche markets that are expected to grow according to the available reports’ data on e-commerce market trends:

#1 Sustainable and eco-friendly products

Environmental awareness has been heightening among consumers during the last years. For instance, 75% of product categories saw better market share performance for sustainable products sold online compared to in-store. Additionally, 67% of surveyed millennials were willing to pay more for eco-friendly goods.

#2 Digital products

The shift to remote working and learning propelled the demand for digital products like online courses and digital subscriptions. Experts anticipate the remote working trend to endure, with 70% of the workforce opting to work from home for at least five days a month, thus suggesting a continued demand for digital products and services.

#3 Pet products

The popularity of pet products is growing, with pet owners increasingly investing in organic foods and wellness products for their pets. A survey found that 43.6% of respondents are more discerning about their pets’ diet compared to their own, indicating a niche market for high-quality pet products.

#4 Subscription-based models

Fueled by digitalization, subscription models offer consumers convenience and provide businesses with a steady stream of revenue. The subscription e-commerce market doubled in size from 2011 to 2016 and is expected to continue growing, driven further by the pandemic’s push towards online shopping.

Interestingly, the appeal of subscription-based models extends beyond traditional online retail. The fintech sector, for instance, is seeing a surge in subscription-based offerings, ranging from financial planning tools to investment platforms.

You can read more about subscription-based and other business models of fintech startups in another our article. 

Based on the data shared, I can confidently state that the e-commerce industry’s dynamism is a fertile ground for innovation, offering a playing field for both established key players and new entrants. 

The Backbone of Online Retail: Fintech Payment Integrations

In e-commerce, the importance of a smooth transaction process cannot be overstated. It’s the pivotal point where browsing transitions to purchasing, determining whether a business gains a customer or loses a potential sale. 

Here’s a list of common fintech payment integrations:

1. Payment gateways
2. Digital wallets
3. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
4. Cryptocurrency payments
5. Bank transfers
6. Mobile payments
7. Recurring billing systems
8. Multi-currency processing
9. Fraud prevention tools
10. Point of sale (POS) integrations 

From my personal experience, I’d love to share that early e-commerce platforms relied on basic payment gateways, which often led to cumbersome user experiences. However, the advent of fintech brought about a plethora of payment options, including digital wallets, mobile payments, and cryptocurrency transactions, each with its unique advantages catering to diverse customer preferences.

Should you need fintech integration services from a trusted provider — Don’t hesitate to reach out to DashDevs experts. 

Fintech integration advancements have not only enriched the e-commerce experience but also expanded the horizons of global commerce, allowing businesses to reach a wider audience across borders. For instance, 49% of worldwide e-commerce transactions are made via digital wallets, showcasing consumers’ preference for modern fintech solutions.

As for the value of fintech integration, adding, for example, digital wallets into e-commerce platforms can significantly enhance the customer’s checkout experience, reducing the time spent on transactions and minimizing cart abandonment rates.

Based on the experience of DashDevs software agency, I can state that creating and implementing a digital wallet in e-commerce involves intricate software development, security measures, and integration capabilities. It is essential to ensure that the digital wallet system is not just user-friendly but also fortified against potential threats. 

Take a look at the image revealing the usage of different payment methods for a complete picture of how valuable fintech integrations in e-commerce are. 

Source: WPastra

Challenges in Payment Integration

Despite the strides made, integrating payment solutions in e-commerce platforms comes with its set of challenges. To figure out how to start an ecommerce business, understanding the following hurdles is essential:

#1 Security Concerns

Ensuring the security of financial data and transactions is paramount. With the rise in cyber-attacks and data breaches, e-commerce platforms must invest in robust security measures to safeguard sensitive information.

An integral part of these security protocols involves “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and “Anti-Money Laundering” (AML) measures. E-commerce platforms, especially those that process significant transaction volumes or deal with high-value items, often find themselves in the crosshairs of illicit financial activities.

KYC procedures enable businesses to verify the identity of their customers, ensuring that they’re transacting with legitimate individuals. This involves collecting data such as names, addresses, and government-issued identification numbers. By understanding who their customers are, businesses can mitigate risks associated with fraud and other nefarious activities.

AML policies, on the other hand, are designed to prevent the conversion of illegally obtained funds into legitimate assets through online transactions. E-commerce platforms, therefore, need systems that can monitor transaction patterns, flagging suspicious activities for further investigation.

Solution strategy: For a secure ecommerce business, use advanced encryption, secure gateways, and multi-layer authentication. Regular security audits and updates are essential. Implement KYC and AML policies to verify customer identities and monitor transactions for fraud, building trust and reducing risk.

#2 Regulatory compliance

Adhering to the myriad regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions can be daunting. Compliance with laws such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is crucial for operating legally and maintaining customer trust.

Solution strategy: To operate legally, ecommerce shops must adhere to standards like PCI DSS and GDPR. Regularly audit for compliance, maintain documentation, and consider compliance software to manage diverse regulations across markets.

#3 Technical glitches

Technical issues during payment processing can lead to transaction failures, negatively impacting the user experience and potentially resulting in lost sales.

Solution strategy: Minimize transaction issues in your ecommerce store with quality payment processing, system scalability, and quick troubleshooting protocols. Automated alerts help detect issues early, while strong customer support ensures smooth problem resolution.

#4 Cross-border transaction complications

For e-commerce platforms operating internationally, handling currency conversions and navigating foreign transaction fees are additional challenges requiring astute management.

Solution strategy: For ecommerce businesses handling international transactions, use a global payment provider for currency conversion. Dynamic currency tools and policies on transaction fees make foreign purchases smoother, boosting customer confidence.

As e-commerce platforms continue to burgeon, integrating robust fintech solutions will remain a cornerstone for success, facilitating a conducive environment for both businesses and consumers alike.

How to Start an Ecommerce Business: 8 Steps to Follow

Stepping into global retail ecommerce sales entails meticulous planning and a well-thought-out strategy. The burgeoning digital marketplace offers a fertile ground for innovative entrepreneurs, yet navigating through the initial phases requires a robust blueprint. 

Let me share with you key steps to consider while launching your e-commerce venture. This list is based on the experience of dozens of e-commerce businesses that we’ve helped to perform a successful launch. 

#1 E-commerce Market Research

Understanding your market is the cornerstone of a successful e-commerce venture. It entails identifying the target audience, gauging market demand, and analyzing competitor strategies. A thorough market research helps craft a value proposition that resonates with your potential customers and sets you apart in the competitive landscape.

It’s fundamental to find a niche that is underserved by the market to make your e-commerce venture more viable. Utilizing tools like Google Trends can help in identifying emerging trends and potentially underserved markets.

Furthermore, delving into a product discovery phase can be invaluable. This process allows businesses to validate product ideas, gather feedback from potential customers, and refine offerings based on real-world insights. By profoundly understanding consumer needs and adapting based on this feedback, you can ensure your products genuinely resonate with your target audience.

#2 Ensuring Legal Compliance

Ensuring legal compliance by adhering to the regulations of the regions you operate in is crucial for avoiding legal repercussions and building trust with your customers. This includes compliance with consumer protection laws, data protection regulations, and other relevant legal requirements.

#3 Tech Stack Selection

Choosing the right set of technologies is crucial for building a scalable and efficient e-commerce platform. Your tech stack should align with your business goals and be adaptable to evolving market trends. It encompasses selecting the right e-commerce platform, payment gateways, security protocols, and other essential tools that form the technical backbone of your online store.

However, if you lack the technical expertise, finding a contractor who can address all technical concerns expertly is essential. It’s crucial to ensure that they have specific experience working with e-commerce cases. Feel free to contact DashDevs team for a consultation. We’ll be happy to share our knowledge gained by experience in launching e-commerce products.

I can share with you some insights on how to go about it gained from my practical background in building e-commerce solutions:

• Choosing an e-commerce platform

Select a robust e-commerce platform that aligns with your business size and goals. Platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce are popular choices. Consider factors like scalability, ease of use, and community support while making your decision.

• Payment gateway integration

Choose a reliable payment gateway that ensures secure transactions. Look for gateways that support various payment methods to cater to a broader audience.

For instance, popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Square provide top-notch security and support multiple payment methods, making them favorites among many e-commerce platforms.

• Security protocols

Security should be a priority in your tech stack selection. Ensure that your chosen technologies comply with industry security standards like SSL for data encryption and PCI DSS for payment security.

• Mobile responsiveness

With the increasing trend of mobile shopping, ensure that your tech stack includes mobile-responsive design. It’s important that your online marketplace provides a seamless shopping experience across all devices. 

As mobile commerce continues to grow, retail e-commerce sales are projected to account for 43.4% of total retail e-commerce sales in 2023, up from 41.8% in 2022, ensuring mobile responsiveness is no longer optional but necessary. 

Such statistics underline the imperative for retailers and online marketplaces to create well-designed, easy-to-use experiences for both their mobile websites and apps.

• Customization and scalability

Opt for technologies that allow for customization to meet your unique business needs. Additionally, ensure that the tech stack is scalable to accommodate your business’s growth over time.

• Consider Innovative technology in e-commerce

Be forward-thinking in your tech stack selection. Consider the evolving trends in e-commerce like AI, AR/VR, and blockchain, and see how they can be integrated into your tech stack.

For example, a survey by First Insight that asked more than 1,000 consumers about AR revealed that more than 71% of respondents would visit a retail shop that offered AR more often.

ASOS, a leading online fashion retailer, has pioneered AR technology to enhance the shopping experience on its platform. 

ASOS launched an AR trial to help customers visualize how garments would fit their body type. This AR tool was designed for mobile devices and desktop sites, providing a more personalized shopping experience by giving customers a better understanding of product fit.

Source: Ecommerce News

#4 Product Development

Before moving forward with marketing and other aspects, the development phase kicks in. Here, you’ll bring your e-commerce platform to life based on the selected tech stack. 

This process involves coding, creating the platform’s user interface, back-end development, and ensuring the platform’s functionalities align with your business requirements.

Collaborate with experienced developers, designers, and other specialists to ensure the platform is user-friendly, feature-rich, and aligned with the market needs. The development ph#

#5 Payment Integration

When starting an ecommerce business, integrating a reliable and secure payment solution is essential to enable smooth transactions and build trust with customers. A well-chosen payment platform should be user-friendly, transparent, and compliant with both local and international regulatory standards, ensuring secure processing at every step.

Opt for solutions that support a diverse range of payment methods—such as credit cards, digital wallets, and international payment gateways — to cater to a global audience. Offering multiple payment options not only accommodates customer preferences but also helps boost conversion rates by making transactions easier and more accessible, giving customers confidence to complete their purchases.

You can explore what a payment gateway is and how is it different from a payment processor from another blog post by DashDevs. 

#6 Testing and Optimization

Before launching, you must thoroughly test your e-commerce platform to identify and fix any bugs or issues. Post-launch, continuously monitoring the performance and gathering customer feedback for optimization is crucial for ensuring a seamless shopping experience and long-term success.

#7 Marketing & Branding

Building a recognizable brand and devising effective marketing strategies are fundamental for driving traffic and converting visitors into customers. It involves creating a compelling brand story, designing an intuitive user interface, and employing digital marketing strategies like SEO, social media marketing, and email marketing to build a strong online presence and foster customer engagement.

#8 Providing Customer Support

Delivering exemplary customer support can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Establishing multiple communication channels, being responsive, and promptly resolving issues are critical to delivering superior customer service.

Well, that’s how to start an ecommerce business step-by-step. An additional bit of advice, finding a partner who can provide post-launch support is imperative. Since e-commerce platforms often handle high traffic volumes, sales heavily rely on the website’s quality and speed.

Overcoming E-commerce Development Challenges with the Right Fintech Partner: DashDevs Experience

As with any other initiative, development in the e-commerce business niche comes with its scope of challenges and difficulties. Luckily, having a well-chosen fintech partner is half the battle, as a provider knowing well how to start an ecommerce business from a tech perspective can help reach business objectives through technology expertise, advice, and, surely, execution. 

In this blog post section, I’ll provide a review of some common challenges and reveal how, here at DashDevs, we have handled them on real case studies: 

Challenge 1: Core Functionality Integrations And Delivering Services Across Businesses and Regions

In the modern-day, businesses, including e-commerce, are highly dependent on integrations with third-party providers and government organizations to enable most functionalities. It becomes even more complex when there’s a need to target more than one region with services and when there’s an opportunity to provide a B2B offering as an API integration. That’s exactly where the diverse expertise and experience with multiple integrations of dedicated tech partners really come in handy. 

DashDevs success story:

In this complex success story, our customer, who is a vendor of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, needed several integrations, including ones with a credit bureau, a government organization, and providers of sensitive credit data, to enable the core functionality. Besides, they needed to ensure the capabilities of providing services across Poland and Czechia and integrating their BNPL platform with other businesses. 

• Solution: The DashDevs team conducted a series of integrations, ensuring that the customer has legal rights and technical capabilities to provider their core offering. Besides, we created a plugin for WordPress to configure and integrate their BNPL platform as a payment provider with other businesses from across Poland and Czechia through a custom API for merchants. 
• Results: Due to DashDevs’ involvement and through the extended suite of integrations, the customer is enabled, from both legal and technical perspectives, to distribute their B2C and B2B services. 

Challenge 2: Meeting Tight Time To Market Requirements

In today’s fast-paced business environment, speed is crucial. Companies often face strict deadlines to release new products or services, especially in competitive industries. Meeting these tight time-to-market goals demands efficient project management, streamlined workflows, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks. By optimizing development cycles and prioritizing essential features, businesses can ensure they hit critical launch dates while maintaining quality.

DashDevs success story:

In this case, our customer, Hunkemöller, intended to launch a fully-fledged e-commerce platform operating across countries in Europe. Despite the high project complexity, because of multi-region support and multi-currency payment integration, Hunkemöller had tight deadlines.

• Solution: The DashDevs team ran a streamlined iOS and Android development. We executed a complete redesign while keeping in mind the diverse localization requirements of European countries. Besides, we conducted integrations needed for our customer to be able to receive payments in multiple currencies from a total of 12 countries across Europe, and ensured compliance with global and local data and cybersecurity requirements. 
• Results: Due to DashDevs’ involvement, the customer entered the market with their e-commerce solution in under 3 months, as had been agreed on before the project started. Currently, Hunkemöller has more than 2 million users worldwide and has been recognized with a Best 2021 App award. 

Challenge 3: Ensuring Scalability for Future Business Growth 

As businesses expand, so do the demands on their technology infrastructure. Building scalability into systems from the outset is essential to support future growth and adapt to changing requirements. This involves designing modular architectures, planning for traffic surges, and staying flexible to accommodate new features or integrations. Anticipating and preparing for these growth needs can prevent service disruptions and set a strong foundation for sustainable expansion.

DashDevs success story:

In another case, our client, who is an insurance service provider offering insurance against power outages, struggled with scaling their application throughput. 

• Solution: The DashDevs team implemented a set of targeted measures. We conducted an audit of IT infrastructure and scalability potential and set up autoscaling with the Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling instrument. 
• Results: Upon addressing tech issues in the infrastructure and setting up autoscaling, the customer obtained an optimal way to scale their capabilities to handle increasing load. It resulted in better operational results and a reduction in the number of ineffective processes overall. 

As you can observe, e-commerce niche challenges are somewhat unique, sometimes related to more core development aspects, that can be attributed to businesses from other industries. Regardless of the issue, having the right tech partner promises to resolve them in an optimal way.

Final Take

The journey through the e-commerce landscape in 2025 and beyond reveals a dynamic and promising sector, ripe with opportunities yet fraught with challenges. Central to navigating these challenges and harnessing the potential of e-commerce is the integration of adept fintech solutions. If your venture is looking for tailored fintech solutions or you aspire to launch an e-commerce platform, having an experienced software development partner is invaluable. 

Here at DashDevs, with more than 500 projects under our belt and more than 14 years of the market delivering development services, we are ready, willing, and able to contribute to your best e-commerce project. We know how to start an ecommerce business and can provide both advice and execution end-to-end. 

Contact us