The question of whether it is still possible to make money on the Internet and which methods work best remains relevant.
Many people are looking for ways to make money, hoping for quick and easy results, but often don’t know where to start.
That's why you can often find the same questions on affiliate marketing forums: "What campaigns are you launching?" or "Does dropshipping work?" "Are push notifications still relevant?" These questions indicate that many are still trying to find successful strategies in the ever-changing Internet.
In this article, we will look at statistics, the evolution of the Internet economy and data on the e-commerce industry, as well as discuss current trends and opportunities for making money online.
The evolution of the internet economy
The evolution of the Internet economy is a process of constant change and adaptation to new technologies, the needs of society and global economic trends.
The first websites and e-commerce emerged in the 1990s, and since then the internet economy has grown to encompass more and more aspects of our lives.
In the 2000s, online stores and services like Amazon and eBay laid the foundations for modern e-commerce.
With the rise of mobile technology and social media in the 2010s, online services have become more accessible and interactive. The emergence of giants like Facebook, Instagram, and Uber has revolutionized the way we communicate, shop, and consume information.
The internet economy has been rapidly developing in recent years thanks to artificial intelligence, blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies create smarter and more autonomous systems, improve business processes and increase the personalization of services.
However, digitalization and globalization also bring new challenges, such as cybersecurity, data protection and internet regulation.
Thus, the evolution of the Internet economy has completely transformed traditional business models.
The rise of online shopping
The growth of online shopping in recent decades has become a notable phenomenon in the internet economy. Online shopping has become a global phenomenon, spanning all categories of goods and services. Convenience, accessibility, and variety have made online platforms the channel of choice for many consumers.
Mobile payment technologies and improved logistics have accelerated the growth of online shopping, making the process as convenient and fast as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, has also significantly accelerated this growth, changing consumer habits and accelerating the shift to digital channels.
In the future, online shopping will continue to grow thanks to new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, which will offer users even more personalized and interactive shopping experiences.
According to Data REPORT as of January 2023, 57.6% of internet users worldwide shop online at least once a week.
Below are the top 10 countries with the percentage of users who shop online at least once a week:
- Thailand - 66.8%
- South Korea - 65.6%
- Turkey - 64.6%
- Mexico - 64.5%
- Chile - 62.7%
- Indonesia - 62.6%
- India - 62.3%
- UAE - 62.3%
- China - 61.9%
- Malaysia - 61.3%
Global market access
Thanks to the Internet, access to the global market is open to each of us.
Global market access is one of the main advantages of the modern digital economy. Previously, companies had to overcome many barriers to enter international markets. Now, digital technologies have simplified this process. Analytics and targeting tools such as Google Analytics and Facebook Ads allow you to accurately determine the preferences and behavior of users in different countries, making marketing campaigns more effective.
The Internet has opened access to the global market for everyone. Now, with skills or knowledge, you can find your audience all over the world. Online courses, consulting, freelancing, e-commerce and affiliate marketing give you the opportunity to earn money from anywhere in the world.
Growing number of internet users
The number of internet users is increasing every year, leading to increased demand for online services and products. Emerging markets are showing particularly strong growth, opening up new business opportunities.According to Statista, there are 5.35 billion internet users in the world (66% of the population). By 2025, their number will reach 6.54 billion.
China has the largest number of users, 1.05 billion, followed by India with 692 million and the United States with 311 million. Northern Europe leads in internet access, with 97.6%.
The global social media audience has grown to 5.04 billion people.
In the infographic above, we see the growth in the number of internet users from 2015 to 2024 and forecasts for 2029.
Prospects of E-Commerce
- The number of e-commerce users is expected to reach 3.2 billion by 2029.
- 70% of all e-commerce site visits will occur from mobile devices.
- Of the $4.9 trillion in online sales, $3.4 trillion comes from smartphone purchases.
The key area is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which will improve the user experience through personalization of content and recommendations. AI will be able to analyze customer behavior and offer the most suitable products, increasing customer satisfaction. How to use AI in arbitration was written here.
An important aspect will be the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) for virtual fitting of clothes and inspection of goods, which will increase engagement and reduce the number of returns. Together with improved logistics solutions, such as drones, this will make shopping and delivery faster and more convenient.
Mobile commerce
Mobile commerce (m-commerce) will continue to grow as more people shop via smartphones and tablets. The rise of mobile payments and improved transaction security will support this trend.
The growth of e-commerce and mobile commerce in emerging markets such as India, Africa and Latin America is driven by digital advances, improved infrastructure and increasing internet usage.
In particular, Mexico City and the Philippines are leading the way in online sales growth in 2023, with growth of 25%. This data, published by analytics company Statista (see infographic below), highlights the significant potential for further e-commerce growth in these countries.
These changes open up new opportunities for companies and private entrepreneurs, including arbitrageurs, providing access to millions of new users.
Competition and Opportunities
Steve Jobs once said, "What separates successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful ones is persistence."
High competition on the Internet does not mean that success is unattainable. Everyone understands success in their own way: for some it is the pinnacle, and for others it is the beginning of the path. The Internet opens up great opportunities for those who are ready to work, learn and develop.
More often than not, success is not a matter of method or business model, but of persistence and adaptability. Using proven strategies, being innovative, and analyzing the market are key factors for success. There will always be competition, but the right approach and persistence will help you stand out and seize the opportunities.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are several key points to highlight.
Firstly, the Internet continues to provide unique opportunities for earning money due to the constant development of technologies and global access to markets. Regardless of the chosen business model - be it affiliate marketing, dropshipping, content creation, infobusiness or something else.
Secondly, the growth of online shopping and the use of new technologies such as AI and AR/VR are opening up new horizons for business.
Third, competition is high, but successful results depend on persistence, innovation and the right approach.
If you are planning to start in affiliate marketing, it may be useful to understand how to choose an affiliate network and how to become successful - details in the article “Invincible Affiliate marketing Hero”.
And also the answer to the eternal question “Is affiliate marketing still alive”
Information provided in this article
The information presented in this article is based on general trends and forecasts that are widely discussed in various sources, such as research and reports from analyst companies (Gartner, Forrester, McKinsey, Statista), publications in specialized media (TechCrunch, Wired, The Verge, and CNET, Harvard Business Review and MIT Technology Review) and expert opinions (Interviews and articles with executives and specialists from large companies).
