E-Commerce 2025: Smart Strategies Between Platforms and Independence

Online commerce is evolving rapidly, and retailers face a crucial question: How can I future-proof my business? While platforms like Amazon, eBay, or TikTok Shops offer massive reach, the need for an independent online store is growing—to ensure more control, customer data ownership, and autonomy.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why multichannel strategies are essential for sustainable success
• The risks of relying on Amazon & Co.
• How consumer behavior is shifting due to social commerce and chatbots
• Why WooCommerce is a strong alternative to Shopify
• How to optimize your online store for chatbots

This article is based on the keynote speech “E-Commerce 2025” by Ronny, presented at IAW 2025.

1. Platforms vs. Independence – Why Owning Your Online Store Matters

Many online retailers start on platforms like Amazon because of their wide reach. However, there are significant drawbacks:

• High fees (up to 30 percent of revenue goes to Amazon)
• No control over customer data (Amazon owns the buyer information)
• Risk of sudden suspensions (an algorithm can determine your business fate)
• Direct competition with the platform itself (Amazon actively competes with sellers)

Multichannel is the solution: Businesses should avoid relying solely on one platform and instead develop their own sales channels. An independent store is the foundation for long-term autonomy.

2. Social Commerce is Booming – How TikTok and Others Are Changing Retail

TikTok Shop generated over $20 billion in revenue in 2023, and the growth continues. Consumers increasingly buy where they consume content.

How to leverage social commerce for your business:

• Place products where your target audience is (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)
• Use micro-influencers as powerful sales drivers
• Enable direct purchases via social platforms

Conclusion: Retailers should not ignore platforms but rather use them strategically to attract customers and direct them to their own store over the long term.

3. Chatbots and AI Are Changing Search Traffic – Are You Prepared?

Google is losing market share to AI-powered chatbots—users ask instead of search. Stores relying on traditional SEO will lose visibility if they do not adapt.

How to make your store chatbot-friendly:

• Keep content short and concise—long texts are ignored
• Use structured data (Schema.org)—make prices, availability, and reviews visible
• Optimize FAQ sections—chatbots prioritize these for responses
• Improve performance—fast, mobile-optimized stores are preferred

Tip: Businesses that optimize for AI by using compact content with fewer filler words will be prioritized by these systems.

4. Shopify vs. WooCommerce – A Direct Comparison for Retailers

Many businesses start with Shopify because of its simplicity, but long-term costs and dependencies increase. WooCommerce, on the other hand, offers maximum flexibility.

Criterion	Shopify	WooCommerce
Costs	Monthly fees + transaction costs	No fixed costs, only hosting and add-ons
Flexibility	Limited	Full control (open source)
Scalability	Easy, but expensive	Grows without additional costs
Lock-in	High	Data remains with the retailer
SEO and Performance	Limited optimization	Fully customizable
Support	Shopify 24/7	Community and hosting support
Best for	Beginners	Growing brands

Recommendation: Businesses that want long-term control and independence should opt for WooCommerce with a scalable hosting solution.

5. Digital Accessibility Becomes Mandatory in 2025 – What Retailers Must Do Now

Starting June 28, 2025, the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) will be enacted. All online stores must be accessible, or they will face fines.

Five key measures for accessible online stores:

1. Simple navigation – Clear menus for all users
2. Image text descriptions – Screen reader-friendly alt texts
3. High color contrast – Improved readability for visually impaired users
4. Keyboard accessibility – The store must be navigable without a mouse
5. Plain language – Easy-to-understand content for a broad audience

Optimizing early ensures compliance and enhances the user experience for all customers.

Conclusion: How to Future-Proof Your Online Business

The future of e-commerce lies in flexibility, independence, and technological adaptation. Retailers who focus on these five key areas will achieve long-term success:

• Multichannel first: Do not rely only on Amazon or TikTok—develop your own store
• Leverage customer data: Strengthen customer relationships and build your own community
• Use technology as an advantage: API-first approach, performance optimization, and automation
• Personalization and AI: Target customers with smart recommendations
• Implement accessibility and chatbot optimization early

Conclusion: The Future of E-Commerce Belongs to Independent Retailers
Online commerce is evolving rapidly—social commerce is booming, chatbots are reshaping product searches, and platform dependency is becoming a liability. Businesses that invest in multichannel strategies, independent stores, and modern technologies will outperform those that rely solely on Amazon and other platforms.

Now is the perfect time to future-proof your strategy.

• Want to sell independently of platforms?
• Need a high-performing, chatbot-optimized online store?
• Looking for a flexible, scalable WooCommerce and WordPress solution?

We help you make your store ready for the future.