In January 2018, we conducted research among more than 500 small- and medium-sized ecommerce businesses to find out what was working best for them, what their biggest challenges are, and how they find their inspiration to keep going. We're giving you a sneak peek of the top three trends that will define ecommerce in 2018:

Setting and Measuring Goals is a Real Challenge

For entrepreneurs and small business owners, goal-setting is essential. But we found that 21% of our respondents didn't set any goals at all for the year. Those that did were much more likely to meet them—79% of respondents that set goals, achieved them.

Almost 70% of New Businesses Say That Growing Their Email List is Critical

No surprises here—email is still one of the most valuable and important channels for new businesses, which is why almost 70% of our respondents said it was a critical priority for them for 2018. Besides email, Facebook and Instagram were top channels said to be most effective. They're also the most used channels for businesses, too.

Small Businesses Look to Large, Established Brands for Inspiration

While plenty of our respondents seek out similar businesses in online forums and read plenty of ecommerce blogs in the industry, a large percentage of our respondents look at the biggest retail brands for inspiration. Cited most frequently in our responses were brands like Apple, Target, Patagonia, Nike, and Old Navy, among others.

Succeed in 2018 With These Tips

The report is chock full of inspiration and data to help you succeed this year. Read the full report to learn:

• How well merchants performed in 2017 and how they feel about their growth in 2018
• What the top challenges are facing SMB merchants
• Which marketing channels are most effective at driving sales
• The brands and sources that inspire SMB merchants