small-business-roundtable-e-commerce-council

Empowering Small Businesses in the Digital Age

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:25:10 GMT

Empowering Small Businesses in the Digital Age

The Small Business Roundtable is excited to release its newest report, Empowering Small Businesses in the Digital Age: Adoption Trends, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations.

Drawing on new data, case studies, and policy analysis, the report highlights how digital tools are transforming the small business landscape. It finds that 99% of small businesses use at least one digital platform, from e-commerce marketplaces to cloud-based software and digital payments, helping owners grow revenue, create jobs, and strengthen customer engagement. At the same time, we explore how persistent barriers remain, including broadband access gaps, limited digital skills, financial constraints, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity concerns.

Main Street To Marketplace: How Small Businesses Are Selling Online

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:00:04 GMT

Main Street To Marketplace: How Small Businesses Are Selling Online

We are pleased to share with you the findings from the latest survey conducted by the Small Business Roundtable in collaboration with Morning Consult, focusing on the attitudes and experiences of online sellers. This research highlights the transformative power of online sales and the pivotal role they play in shaping the future of small business.

The report is also the first release from our newly-formed e-Commerce Council, made up of leading small business advocates and individual business owners who live this reality every day. We view this data as contributing to a broader dialogue about how commerce continues to change.

Additionally, please feel free to explore the raw data at your interest.

Small Business Roundtable E-Commerce Council

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:58:28 GMT

Small Business Roundtable E-Commerce Council

Overview

The Small Business Roundtable (SBR) is a coalition of leading small business and entrepreneurship organizations representative of more than 30 million small businesses, dedicated to advancing policy, securing access, and promoting inclusion to benefit the businesses at the heart of the American economy. Building on this mission, the E-Commerce Council is an initiative designed to bolster opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that primarily sell though online, e-commerce channels. By fostering dialogue, advocacy, and resource-sharing among online sellers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, the Council aims to shape the future of digital commerce in a way that promotes innovation and growth.

Background/Objective

The rise of e-commerce has transformed the way businesses operate, opening new markets and opportunities while introducing unique challenges. The E-Commerce Council will serve as a collective voice for the growing community of entrepreneurs leveraging online channels and provide a platform for SMEs to discuss current and emerging issues; share insights with policymakers, community leaders, and media; and advocate for policies that foster a positive environment for small businesses selling online.

SBR’s commitment to supporting small businesses makes it uniquely positioned to lead this effort, bridging the gap between SMEs and key stakeholders in the e-commerce ecosystem.

Participation in the Council

The E-Commerce Council welcomes both organization leaders and SMEs engaged in the e-commerce space who aim to shape the future of e-commerce by promoting opportunities, addressing pervasive challenges, and influencing key policy decisions that impact the sector.

Members of the E-Commerce Council can expect:

Quarterly Calls: Participate in quarterly calls and deep-dive discussions to stay informed and engaged.

Opportunities for Thought Leadership: Contribute op-eds, blogs, and reports, with support for drafting, pitching, and placement.

Unified Advocacy: Amplify your voice on critical issues, ensuring members are seen and heard in Washington, D.C. and in state capitols.

Member Spotlights: Gain visibility through features at events, on our website and social media, during member events, and through other platforms.

What’s Needed From You

To participate in the E-Commerce Council, we ask that you provide the following:

A Brief Bio: Share a short biography highlighting your background, experience in e-commerce, and company profile.

A Professional Headshot: Submit a high-quality photo to be used in council materials and content, including on our website.

Active Participation: Engage in quarterly calls, provide feedback, and contribute to discussions and initiatives.

By sharing your expertise and insights, you’ll play an active role in driving the Council’s mission and shaping the future of e-commerce.

We would be thrilled to have you as part of the E-Commerce Council and to work with you to strengthen the voice of e-commerce sellers. If you’re ready to join or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

The Small Business Roundtable Team

New Survey Data Highlights What Every Shopper Knows: E-Commerce Playing Bigger Role, Especially for Small Businesses

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:45:06 GMT

New Survey Data Highlights What Every Shopper Knows: E-Commerce Playing Bigger Role, Especially for Small Businesses

A recent TechNet-Ipsos survey looked at the role e-commerce marketplaces (think Amazon, Walmart online, Etsy, etc.) play in the small business economy. In short: these marketplaces are becoming more and more meaningful for engaging customers, in a large part by addressing competitive disadvantages small business owners face.

From expanding customer reach to reducing operational costs, the survey underscores how these platforms are empowering small retailers to thrive in a competitive and evolving digital economy. As small businesses increasingly adopt multi-channel strategies, e-commerce has emerged as a cornerstone of their success.

Survey Highlights: The Digital Advantage

For many small businesses, finding and connecting with customers is a constant uphill battle. Traditional methods, such as relying on foot traffic or expensive advertising campaigns, often fall short. Yet, 92% of respondents noted that e-commerce marketplaces make it significantly easier to reach potential customers, while 88% emphasized the ability to expand into international markets. These platforms effectively eliminate geographic constraints, allowing small businesses to tap into global audiences without requiring hefty marketing budgets.

Running a small business also requires significant effort towards the management of financial demands, which E-commerce marketplaces tend to ease the burden of. According to the survey, 85% of small business owners reported that operating on the listed E-commerce platforms helped reduce overall expenses. Additionally, 82% highlighted the transparency of costs on e-commerce platforms compared to traditional sales channels. This clarity gives business owners the confidence to plan, invest, and grow without uncertainty and hidden fees eating into their margins.

Perhaps most importantly, e-commerce platforms give small businesses the tools needed to stay creative and adaptable. From analytics that uncover customer trends to AI-powered systems that streamline daily tasks, these marketplaces are more than just places to sell—they're partners in helping businesses grow and thrive. It’s no surprise that 90% of small business owners highlighted the value of these tools in launching new products and running effective ad campaigns.

Small businesses are thriving thanks to e-commerce marketplaces, which open doors to wider audiences and provide powerful resources for scaling and success. According to the TechNet-Ipsos survey, platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy are leading the charge, helping small retailers unlock new opportunities. By addressing key barriers for small businesses, e-commerce marketplaces are leveling the playing field for those hoping to navigate an ever-changing retail landscape.

E-Commerce and Brick-and-Mortar: A Symbiotic Relationshi

You CAN have both. Contrary to the narrative that e-commerce threatens traditional retail, the survey reveals a mutually beneficial relationship. Nearly 80% of respondents said their success in e-commerce has created opportunities to feature their products in physical stores.

Additionally, small businesses with both e-commerce and in-store presence often see complementary growth. Customers who discover products online may visit physical stores to make purchases (looking at you, last-minute holiday shoppers), while in-store shoppers who can’t find exactly what they need often turn to the retailer’s e-commerce site to complete their transaction, allowing digital and physical retail to reinforce each other.

Conclusion: E-Commerce as a Growth Engine for Small Businesses

E-commerce marketplaces have proven to be indispensable for small businesses, offering cost-effective solutions to grow, streamline operations, and connect with customers. These platforms are far more than sales channels—they are engines of growth and innovation fueling the Main Street stores we know and love.

For policymakers and stakeholders, it is key to recognize the synergy that exists between E-commerce and small business. Efforts to regulate or constrain leading e-commerce platforms could inadvertently harm the small business community, restricting innovation, alongside access to the tools that empower small retailers to remain competitive and thrive. E-commerce is not just a lifeline—it is the foundation for the future of small business success.

small-business-roundtable-e-commerce-council

Empowering Small Businesses in the Digital Age

Empowering Small Businesses in the Digital Age

Main Street To Marketplace: How Small Businesses Are Selling Online

Main Street To Marketplace: How Small Businesses Are Selling Online ﻿

Small Business Roundtable E-Commerce Council

Small Business Roundtable E-Commerce Council

New Survey Data Highlights What Every Shopper Knows: E-Commerce Playing Bigger Role, Especially for Small Businesses

New Survey Data Highlights What Every Shopper Knows: E-Commerce Playing Bigger Role, Especially for Small Businesses

Main Street To Marketplace: How Small Businesses Are Selling Online