Tutorial: Introduction to eCommerce in the Philippines

Trainer’s Note: This tutorial features video clips from TekWorx.Training’s exclusive webinar sessions on Introduction to eCommerce in the Philippines. Each video clip comes with text contents, links to relevant sites, and other training materials. These will help you understand the topic easily and apply the lessons learned accordingly.

Copyright Notice: Unauthorized distribution, copying, or reuse of any part of the entire contents of this tutorial is strictly prohibited. Violators will be sued for copyright violation. Existing trainees and students who also violate this copyright notice will have their access revoked permanently with no refund.

Introduction to E-Commerce in the Philippines

In a rapidly changing digital world, freelancers, business owners, or marketers-alike are finding it hard to stand out. A possible reason is that they jump into the bandwagon of E-Commerce without a clear understanding of the essential aspects of doing business online.

In our eCommerce and Digital Marketing Boot Camp for MSMEs or Freelancers, the very first lesson is the thought-provoking “Introduction to E-Commerce in the Philippines“. Every E-Commerce entrepreneur or digital marketing professional’s greatest challenge in digital is to create and execute an innovative and strategic digital marketing strategy. For beginners, however, this is not easy. That is why you must learn and master the basics of eCommerce.

So, what is E-Commerce, really?

E-Commerce, as defined by the European Union, is the sale or purchase of goods or services, whether between businesses, households, individuals, or private organizations through electronic transactions conducted via the internet or other computer-mediated networks through online communication.

Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society stated that “E-Commerce is the conduct of transactions by electronic means”.

Wikipedia defines E-Commerce or “electronic commerce” as the act of electronically buying or selling products or services online. Essentially though, E-Commerce is not just about buying or selling products or services through the internet.

In the video clip below, I explained the definition of E-Commerce in the Philippines context. I also cited a few examples of my very first transactions or eCommerce experience from a different perspective.

As defined in the Philippine E-Commerce Law, or the Republic Act 8792, E-Commerce is defined as an exchange of information or transaction using electronic communication. Take note that the keyword there is “electronic”.

Basic Revenue Models in E-Commerce

As more and more users find the convenience of doing E-Commerce, tremendous growth has been seen over the last few years. It is influencing the market in such a way that it has become essential for MSMEs to go online. Likewise, this growth resulted in a high-demand for online freelancers who are skilled in the area of E-Commerce and Digital Marketing.

For newbies, eCommerce is sometimes overwhelming at first; particularly when you look at the monetization aspect. For MSMEs, it can be very attractive, cost-effective, and profitable. For Freelancers, it can provide limitless job and income opportunities.

The video clip below briefly explains how exactly you can make money through E-Commerce.

For MSMEs, the most common revenue model is Retail. For Freelancers, it is mostly either Guru, Subscription, or both. Of course, it can vary a lot depending on the nature of your business.

If you’re reading this and you’re a trainee or a participant of my E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Boot Camp, we can discuss your situation during the mentorship and mastermind session.

E-Commerce Activities

Another important aspect to learn about E-Commerce is the type of business activity you will engage in, either as an MSME or a Freelancer.

MSMEs venture into E-Commerce doing either B2B (business-to-business), B2C (business-to-consumer), or G2B (government-to-business) transactions. Freelancers, on the other hand, usually fall under B2B where they provide service to businesses. Freelancing clients are usually businesses as well.

B2B, B2C, C2C, G2B, or G2C are all eCommerce activity categories. The video clip below further explains each category.

As an aspiring E-Commerce entrepreneur or savvy digital professional, you also need to constantly adapt by keeping up with recent developments in this industry. The full video below will further discuss the following:

1. Understanding E-Commerce.
2. Learning the Insights and Trends of E-Commerce in the Philippines.
3. Distinguishing the Types of E-Commerce.
4. Identifying E-Commerce Business and Revenue Models.

Take advantage of this video resource to hone your skills and widen your perspective of E-Commerce in the Philippines and abroad.

Watch the full video below.

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Password: tw_ecom_intro

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Course Assessment:

If you took this course as part of the Bootcamp with Mastermind session, you are tasked to answer the following questions. Be guided accordingly.
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1. What do you want to be as a FREELANCER?
2. What do you want to accomplish as an MSME?
3. Do you have some skills applicable to E-Commerce and Digital Marketing? If yes, enumerate.
4. What are your top 3 goals in joining this Bootcamp?
5. What are your top 3 challenges in achieving your top 3 goals?
6. What do you like to become after this Bootcamp?
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Mastermind Sessions:

The following video is from a previous Mastermind session with participants of the E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Bootcamp + Mastermind. I am giving view-access to anyone taking this INTRODUCTORY course to complement the lessons discussed above. I have also provided a link to the latest Global Digital Overview report by We Are Social and Hootsuite.

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Useful Link: DIGITAL 2020: GLOBAL DIGITAL OVERVIEW
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For questions and clarifications, feel free to comment below.

The Resource Person: Bert Padilla is a Certified E-Commerce Trainer. He is also an online entrepreneur operating TekWorx.Digital. In 2018, he started sharing his online expertise as Trainer and Resource Person for one of the programs of the government’s Department of Information and Communications Technology or DICT. Inspired to help more and more Filipinos through digital training, Bert launched TekWorx.Training in early 2019.