• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, July 19, 2024

Ecommerce marketers are facing a range of problems that are getting in the way of job satisfaction, judging by a recent study from Pattern. 

Of those polled, 40% are troubled by lack of resources. And 33% report being understaffed.  

Concerns over resources are being intensified by fears of an economic slowdown, the study states. And if these issues are daunting ecommerce teams, those working in the email silo are probably feeling them even more: they may be called on to overcompensate. 

Here are some other issues: 

• Increased shipping costs — 30%
• Inability to maintain supply chains or inventory levels — 30% 
• The struggle to control unauthorized sellers and distributors — 25% 

Most brands have only a few people working on ecommerce. They list: 

• 0 people — 1.18% 
• 1 person — 5.51%
• 2-4 people — 44.88% 
• 6-10 people — 20.08%
• 11-20 people — 13.78% 
• 21+ people — 15..75% 
• Inability to expand to new channels and marketplaces—24%

Despite these challenges, many plan to invest in their ecommerce programs over the next six to 12 months. 

For instance, 58% will increase their spend in product imagery, video and copy for online listings. And 51% will invest more in influence marketing. Moreover, 43% plan to up their spending on branding and packaging, and 41% on product design. 

Pattern surveyed more than 300 marketing leaders at brands with average annual revenue of $40 million.