E-commerce has never had as many technological resources available as it is now. From artificial intelligence-based solutions to marketing automation, through chatbots, real-time data analysis and intelligent logistics systems. The sector is experiencing a moment of accelerated evolution. And the data proves: according to Cloudei, e-commerce sales should jump from US$ 26.6 billion 2024 to US$ 51.2 billion in 2027 92.5% in the period, which is driven by the advancement of digital transformation and the growing desire to purchase journey.
But faced with so many options, the inevitable question arises: which tools are really worth the investment?In times of tight margins, marketing, technology or innovation directors must adopt a profitability-centric view bottom line ''that last line of the financial statement that reveals the company's profit.In this sense, the choice of new technologies must be directly linked to the measurable impact they generate on the business.
Many companies make the mistake of investing in tools that do not align with their operational reality or that are implemented in a rushed and unplanned way. The result? Overloaded teams, decentralized data and a series of stuck processes that hinder decision making. Therefore, a more effective path especially for small and medium-sized companies is to scale with strategy: adopt one technology at a time, focused on solving real and specific problems.
This approach allows you to accurately track the impact of each solution, making adjustments whenever necessary. In addition to preserving resources, this strategy favors increased return on investment (ROI) and reduces the risk of waste.
Another important point is the adequacy of the tools to the local context. It is common for Brazilian companies to adopt solutions recommended by international matrices that, although globally consolidated, do not fit into the regulatory and operational processes of Brazil. This generates high dollar costs, without proportional return. In these cases, the local manager needs to take a more active role and demonstrate that solutions developed by national companies can be more effective, faster and more financially viable.
It is important to highlight that seeking efficiency does not mean giving up innovation. Chatbots, for example, are proven solutions in reducing costs with service, with the potential to cut up to 30% of these expenses. However, automation should be used with balance 'Excess can lead to dehumanization of the customer experience. Therefore, planning is as essential as the tool itself.
In the same reasoning, the model of architecture composable, which allows combining different tools to create customized solutions, is extremely promising 'provided it comes with clarity in the objectives and digital maturity. Following this logic, the ideal is to seek solutions that meet multiple needs with the fewest possible number of contracts. This reduces the integration effort, simplifies management and improves operational efficiency. Solutions focused on the customer experience as customization platforms and marketing automation 'usually deliver faster return. Already more robust technologies, such as predictive analysis and logistics optimization systems, can be adopted in later stages, as the business matures.
In short, technology should be a growth lever, not a financial or operational burden. The key is to make conscious choices, based on data, clear objectives and the actual operation of each company. Not everything that is available in the market is applicable to all businesses. The important thing is to identify what really moves the indicators and, from there, grow intelligently.
