What are Ecommerce Enablers and How Do They Work In Singapore

Starting your own e-commerce business in Singapore isn’t a walk in the park. If you want to thrive in the country’s ecommerce space, you will need some help from ecommerce enablers.

But, what is an ecommerce enabler? How does it help many businesses survive in the highly crowded ecommerce in Singapore and other countries in Southeast Asia?

In this article, you will learn why ecommerce enablers are critical in the e-commerce sector. Are you ready? 

Let’s begin. 

What are Ecommerce Enablers: A Definition

In the e-commerce industry, online stores and other businesses need to properly build their branding and marketing. But, doing this is as expensive as building your own offline distribution.

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If you want to boost sales, you need to build your online capabilities. However, you need to have a big team of graphic designers, online store managers, customer service representatives, content producers, etc.

Hiring all these experts can quickly drain your wallet. This is where e-commerce enablers come in. An e-commerce enabler is a company that provides end-to-end services. 

These can help businesses generate sales on e-commerce platforms and other online channels.

Ecommerce enablers can help you save money by outsourcing functions needed to build your online capabilities, as explained by GLG. Aside from saving money, they can also help your online store navigate in the difficult e-commerce landscape, thanks to their expertise in marketing, go-to-market strategies, and e-commerce channels.

As a client, what you can get from ecommerce enablers include:

• Content production services, such as infographics, videos, product descriptions, and photos.
• Strategic consultation, which can give you ideas on how to devise online go-to-market strategies.
• E-store management since they’ll manage your inventory, promotions, order processing, and pricing.
• Customer services, such as answering chats and calls through social media channels, brand websites, and other channels.
• Data insights, which can help you solve issues on your keyword ranking, item bundles, deliveries, etc.

By partnering with ecommerce enablers, you can focus on more important business activities and build your online capabilities simultaneously.

How Do Ecommerce Enablers Work In Singapore

Just like in other countries, ecommerce enablers are also crucial in Singapore. They help businesses come up with strategies to have successful operations in the e-commerce industry. 

Below are some of the ways an e-commerce enabler works in Singapore.

Providing Software and Platforms

Ecommerce enablers offer platforms and software that can help you manage your online stores. 

These platforms assist businesses in campaign management, inventory management, and secure payment gateways. 

Product Management

One of their main goals is to shoulder tedious tasks to ensure an online store is generating sales and operating properly. 

Ecommerce enablers will manage your product listings, generate data from customer feedback, and run promotional campaigns for you.

Brand Consultation

Ecommerce enablers have knowledge and insights on best practices to ensure that your business does not only stay afloat, but is successful. This means that you no longer have to browse for studies, guides, and insights just to create effective strategies for your brand.

It is estimated that Singapore has around 190 e-commerce enablers which can help you navigate Singapore’s e-commerce industry. All you need to do is find the right one that suits your needs.

Government-Private Sector Collaboration

The Singaporean government plays a crucial role in the development of the ecommerce industry. It fosters ecommerce marketplace growth by partnering with various entities, such as the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

Infocomm Media Development Authority

As a statutory board of the Singaporean government, IMDA secures consumers’ interests and fosters pro-enterprise regulations. It’s able to do this by deepening regulatory capabilities to achieve a converged infocomm media sector.

IMDA serves as the “architect” of Singapore’s digital future by ensuring that every company, workforce, and consumer is ready for a future driven by digital media and infocomm.

Smart Nation and Digital Government Office

SNDGO is a part of Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It plays a crucial role in the country’s digital transformation by driving the digitalization of government services. Aside from this, the group oversees the application and development of digital capabilities and technologies.

These partnerships allow the Singaporean government to support the expansion of retailers, ecommerce enablers, and online brands. They serve as the “deal” between the private and public sectors, leveraging the strengths of one another to drive ecommerce forward. 

These collaborations help create a dynamic e-commerce market that benefits both companies and consumers.

Logistics and Infrastructure

Singapore’s advanced logistics and infrastructure are among the factors that influence the country’s growing e-commerce market. They both help the nation become a world leader in expanding supply chain management.

The Southeast Asian country’s logistics and infrastructure prowess were achieved, thanks to these critical elements:

• Changi Airport: This Singaporean airport is a crucial hub for air cargo as it facilitates the rapid movement of goods in and out of Singapore.
  
• The Port of Singapore: Being one of the busiest ports in the world, the Port of Singapore handles vast volumes of maritime cargo. It greatly contributes to Singapore‘s role as a global logistics hub, thanks to its advanced logistics capabilities and strategic location.
  
• Road Networks: Singapore is a country with extensive road networks. These routes ensure seamless connectivity, helping businesses smoothly receive and deliver goods from ports and airports to their final destinations.

Singapore’s advanced logistics and infrastructure provide a solid foundation for seamless cross-border trade and international expansion. By using strategic location, efficient transport networks, and advanced port facilities, e-commerce enablers can open many doors for new opportunities for growth and success. 

Payment Gateway Integration

Partnerships between payment gateways, digital platforms, and financial institutions helped establish Singapore’s innovative and secure payment solutions. By facilitating seamless transactions, they can cater to the diverse needs of customers and brands.

• PayNow: One of the payment tools in Singapore is PayNow, which allows consumers to make instant payments using just mobile numbers or identification numbers.
  
• GrabPay: This payment solution is an e-wallet that benefits any brand and customer who uses the Grab app. GrabPay enables consumers to make cashless payments for food delivery, rides, etc.
  
• Mastercard and Visa: Visa and Mastercard are both widely accepted payment solutions in Singapore. By ensuring safe transactions, they can help companies selling products offline and online gain consumers’ trust.

Integration of payment gateways in Singapore empowers e-commerce enablers through secure and reliable payment processing, smooth transactions, and streamlined payment processes. In short, advanced payment solutions give them a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.

Cross-Border Trade and Partnerships

Singapore’s position as a global e-commerce hub in Southeast Asia was achieved thanks to its free trade agreements and international partnerships:

ASEAN Free Trade Area

In 1992, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei signed the AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Agreement). It promotes economic integration among Southeast Asian countries. Aside from this, AFTA reduces tariffs for companies, such as an ecommerce businesses. It also streamlines customs procedures.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Singapore participates in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP11). This trade agreement enhances member countries’ access to marketplaces across the Asia-Pacific region.

China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement

In 2009, China and Singapore signed the CSFTA. This free trade agreement helped bolster trade relations between the two Asian nations. The CSFTA facilitates smoother transactions between Singaporean and Chinese businesses.

These cross-border trade agreements and partnerships are critical in Singapore’s thriving e-commerce as they allow every ecommerce store to shop and sell across borders. They also greatly benefit e-commerce enablers by reducing trade barriers, ensuring regulatory certainty, and helping expand market access.

Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem

In Singapore, startups, research institutions, and established enterprises are working together to create a collaborative innovation ecosystem. Their efforts innovate e-commerce, allowing the industry to thrive.

Various programs and initiatives were established to help these collaborations happen. These include the following:

LaunchPad 

As an all-in-one business platform, LaunchPad encourages collaborations. It allows startups to access mentorship, resources, and funding while creating connections with established players in the e-commerce industry.

NEXT BASKET

NEXT BASKET is an all-in-one solution for e-commerce. It provides professional services needed for the success of e-commerce businesses and helps create their e-shops.

SGInnovate

The SGInnovate is a government-owned innovation platform. This initiative encourages breakthrough innovations in various areas, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.

Innovation & Enterprise Office

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and other educational institutions have the Innovation & Enterprise Office. The I&E facilitates partnerships between universities and industries, such as e-commerce.
All these programs, solutions, and platforms help startups thrive, allow collaborations with research institutes, and enable enterprises to remain at the front of managing and shaping the ecommerce industry.