Consumers are spending big, and an increasing percentage of their retail spending is taking place online. Statistics indicate that consumer ecommerce spending is rocketing up by up to 15% every year, making ecommerce one of the fastest growing market sectors in the world.

The rise of ecommerce isn't exactly a surprise. Since the first ecommerce platforms launched during the mid-to-late 1990s, consumers have spent more and more online every year, with a total of approximately four in every 10 retail purchases now made through ecommerce.

It's a staggering number, and it's likely to continue to get larger as time goes on. As Millennial consumers begin to account for a larger percentage of retail spending, many analysts believe that ecommerce is going to take on an even greater role in global shopping.

While the biggest beneficiaries of the rise of ecommerce have been major brands (Amazon's market cap reached more than 800 million this year), increases in online spending have also helped a variety of small businesses.

The rise of ecommerce has also created opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs. Thanks to readily available, user-friendly ecommerce software like Shopify, it's now easier than ever for budding ecommerce entrepreneurs to launch their a free web store.

It's also becoming easier for these entrepreneurs to source their products. With international trade platforms like Alibaba transforming from industry tools into mainstream sources, more entrepreneurs than ever are starting to develop, import and market their own products.

Interested in starting your own online business? With tools like Shopify at your service, what was once a complicated process is now remarkably simple.

With your own domain, a payment processor and a product idea, you can launch and run an online business for far less money than you might expect. Ready to start? Learn more about how you can start your own ecommerce business in the infographic below:

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