How eBay changed the way we shop.
Ecommerce has evolved in many ways since its start, and it continues to change the way we live, shop and do business.
One of the early disrupters was eBay. In the 1990s, eBay was an online auction site with small vendors who sold hard-to-find items to a mass audience that they had never before been able to reach. Now in 2021, the Internet is home to a multitude of marketplaces.
Before we get into it – here are some pretty incredible statistics about the game-changing platform ( 2021)
- There are 182 million eBay users worldwide.
- The eBay app is used by 34.9% of all US mobile users.
- 16.4% of items sold on eBay fall in the Electronics & Accessories category, the top-selling category.
- There are 1.3 billion listings on eBay.
- Originally called Auction web.
And now how it’s continuing to be a market leader:
- It’s quick. You can create an auction today and get paid for your item within a week.
- It’s cheap. You can start for free if you sell items you already own. Your expenses come after you’ve made a sale and have been paid.
- You don’t need to search for buyers. There are over 182 million active users on eBay, and with eBay’s mobile app, it’s easier than ever to buy and sell on eBay.
Peer-to-Peer Model
It was one of the first Online peer-to-peer buying platforms. Before Etsy, gumtree and, of course, global giant Amazon – eBay was the first of its kind and paved the way for the buying and selling model we have now.
Easy online shopping
When online shopping first started, integrated carts were not easily accessible for businesses as they are now. It was a complicated process that delayed payments and kept consumers waiting. In 2002 acquired PayPal in 2002 – creating a secure and easy way to pay.
Was part of the mobile commerce revolution.
eBay didn’t create mobile retail, but the company’s success in the field helped legitimise the idea for consumers, investors, and even businesses. When eBay went mobile, sales surged. “More than 90 million users downloaded the mobile app, and in one quarter, 600,000 users made their first mobile purchase” – according to eBay’s then-CEO John Donahoe.
