Although e-commerce has yet to win the full confidence of Moroccan citizens, many still harbor fears about it. However, it’s undeniable that it’s beginning to take up more and more of the Moroccan market, attracting the majority of customers and buyers thanks to its ease of access and use. As a seller, whether you’re offering products, services or online courses, it’s essential to acquire a basic knowledge of this field. You need to position yourself in this fast-growing market before all the opportunities are taken.
The reality of e-commerce in Morocco
Many people have a misconception about e-commerce, especially in Morocco. This explains why some fail right from the start. They think e-commerce is just about creating a website or social networking page to showcase their products. Although this is part of the process, e-commerce is much more than that. It encompasses many concepts and strategies.
What is e-commerce?
E-commerce can be summed up as follows: it’s all about having an idea, or even content, and knowing how to promote it. This content doesn’t have to be a physical product. These days, even simple information can be sold. Once you have an idea, you need to know how to market it. In short, it’s marketing an idea or content. If you understand this definition, you’ve got a solid base from which to start.
The Potential of the Online Marketplace
When we talk about marketing an idea, we’re entering the world of the Internet, which has over three and a half billion users worldwide. Of these, 40% make online purchases. This means your content can be exposed to billions of potential customers. If you know how to exploit this opportunity, it can be extremely profitable.
In Morocco, e-commerce represents around 1.2 billion dirhams (around $120 million), according to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2016, the number of internet users in Morocco stood at 17 million, showing that the market is huge and growing fast.
Keys to success in e-commerce
To succeed in e-commerce, three elements are essential:
- Targeted content: Choose specific content that meets a real demand.
- Lower costs: E-commerce cuts costs by eliminating the middleman.
- Offer a variety of options: Offer your customers several options to encourage them to choose you.
