Increasing e-commerce revenue for SMEs

The way businesses sell is changing at breakneck speed. Where online sales used to be an extra channel, today it’s become an essential part of many companies’ strategy. Recent figures show that 29% of businesses’ total revenue is generated through e-commerce (Source: Statistiek Vlaanderen – Digital economy: e-commerce revenue among businesses).

That means nearly a third of all revenue today comes from online sales. For businesses that don’t yet have a webshop, that’s an important signal. The market keeps shifting further toward digital sales channels, and customers expect to be able to order products easily online.

Businesses that invest in e-commerce today are building a clear head start as a result. They expand their reach, increase their online revenue and make their sales process more efficient.
So the question is no longer whether e-commerce matters. The real question is: how much revenue does your business already generate through e-commerce today?

Why e-commerce revenue is growing so fast

The strong growth in e-commerce revenue mainly comes from changes in customer buying behaviour. Both consumers and businesses today search for products online first before making a purchase. A webshop makes it possible to sell products without the limitations of location or opening hours. Customers can order at any time, which means sales no longer stop when a shop or office closes.

For businesses, this means a huge opportunity. A webshop can process orders around the clock, creating an extra revenue stream alongside traditional sales channels. As a result, businesses’ online revenue often grows faster than revenue from classic sales.

On top of that, digital sales make it possible to reach customers beyond your own region. Businesses can offer products to customers across Belgium, the Netherlands, or even internationally. This expands the market and creates new growth opportunities.

It’s precisely this combination of reach, convenience and scalability that keeps e-commerce revenue growing year after year.

Why more and more businesses are selling online

More and more businesses are therefore investing in their own webshop. Digital sales make the buying process simpler and lower the barrier for customers to place an order.

When customers can view products online, compare prices and order immediately, the buying process becomes faster and more efficient. This often leads to more orders and a higher average order value.

A webshop also offers businesses important advantages. The sales process becomes partly automated, and customers can place orders themselves without a salesperson’s involvement. This allows businesses to grow without having to expand their sales team at the same pace.

For many businesses, a webshop for online sales is therefore an important step in their digital strategy. It allows them to reach new customers and structurally increase their e-commerce revenue.

The problem with many businesses’ webshops

Although more and more businesses are launching a webshop, many make one important mistake. The webshop is often built as a standalone system that isn’t connected to the rest of the business software.

When a webshop isn’t integrated with systems such as CRM, order management or stock management, extra admin quickly builds up. Orders have to be entered manually, stock has to be updated separately, and invoices are often still created by hand.

At first, that might seem manageable, but as e-commerce revenue grows, it becomes a structural problem. More online orders mean more admin and a greater chance of errors.

Many businesses only discover later that a webshop only really works efficiently once it’s integrated with internal business processes.

Why webshop integration is essential

Successful e-commerce businesses make sure their webshop isn’t disconnected from their business software. Connecting a webshop with CRM, ERP or order management creates one central system where every process comes together.

When a webshop is integrated with a platform like Deskflow, an order can be processed in the system automatically. Customer details are stored in the CRM, stock is updated instantly, and invoices can be generated automatically.

This creates an efficient workflow where online sales, admin and logistics work together perfectly. Businesses save time, reduce errors and get a clear overview of their sales.

For businesses working with platforms such as WooCommerce, Shopify or MijnWebwinkel, integrating with their business software is a huge step forward. It makes it possible to grow e-commerce revenue without the admin becoming more complex.

Automating e-commerce for growth

Businesses that organise their e-commerce well don’t just invest in a webshop, they invest in automation too. By automating processes such as order processing, stock management and invoicing, businesses can manage their online sales far more efficiently.

Automation ensures that growth in online revenue doesn’t automatically lead to more administrative work. Orders are processed automatically, and staff can focus on growth, marketing and customer service.

For many businesses, this means e-commerce becomes a scalable sales channel. As the number of orders grows, the processes stay manageable and efficient.

This is exactly why more and more businesses are choosing e-commerce software and webshop integrations.

The future of e-commerce revenue

The figures clearly show that digital sales will only become more important. As customers buy online more and more often, the share of revenue businesses generate through e-commerce will keep rising too.

Businesses investing today in a webshop and integrated digital processes are building an important head start. They can scale faster, work more efficiently and serve customers better.

Businesses that delay digitalising risk competitors taking over their market position.

Today’s reality is clear: e-commerce revenue is growing fast and becoming an ever-larger part of businesses’ total revenue. Businesses that invest in online sales create new growth opportunities and reach customers in ways that weren’t possible before.

But a webshop alone isn’t enough. The real power of e-commerce lies in integration with the rest of the business. When online sales, CRM, stock management and invoicing work together in one system, an efficient, scalable workflow emerges.

For businesses looking to increase their online revenue and professionalise their e-commerce, that’s a crucial step.