About the future of e-commerce, developers and unexpected business ideas
The world of e-commerce is changing rapidly. What felt like an unlimited playing field for online innovation fifteen years ago is being redefined today—particularly by the rise of AI. Within our own agency—with an average age of mid-30s (oh, that suddenly feels grown-up!)—we're realizing we're no longer the young guns. But what we may lose in youth, we make up for with experience, a healthy dose of curiosity, and a keen eye for what's coming our way.
Webshop Trade Days: colliding worlds
A striking example? The Webwinkel Vakdagen (Webshop Trade Days), which we attended this week. A trade fair where the future is tangible—at least, that's the intention. But where, in reality, old ideas still linger. On the one hand, we saw innovative tools, AI-driven features, and platforms like Shopify that are rapidly redefining the market. On the other hand, there were also traditional companies and agencies—those who, for example, still advocate for "custom" webshops that easily cost hundreds of thousands of euros.
Or even more???
Seriously, there were whispers about projects costing nearly a million euros for a webshop. A webshop! That's just so outdated, isn't it?
We believe things can and should be done differently. Not by compromising on quality or design, but by working smarter. By using tools like Syncer , which make the migration process to Shopify, for example, lightning-fast and painless. By choosing scalable themes specifically developed for the European market . And by remaining open to innovation.
The AI wind that blows
AI is no longer a fad. It's here, and it's rapidly evolving. Where developers used to be assured of a steady flow of projects, that no longer seems a given. Webshops are increasingly being generated automatically, product descriptions are being generated by AI systems, and even product photos are being effortlessly generated by an algorithm. Drones are delivering packages, customer service is powered by AI chatbots, and even onboarding processes for new online retailers can be automated.
In short: the foundation is becoming faster and more efficient. And that's a good thing – as long as we, as humans, continue to focus on what truly sets us apart.
The power of the unexpected
Last night we "celebrated" our dog Rinus's birthday. It's something we wouldn't normally have planned, let alone documented. Yet, there was an unexpected beauty in it. Creating an AI-composed birthday song for our four-legged friend sparked new inspiration. Not because it was necessarily useful, but because it felt creative. Sincere. Authentic. And even with AI. And those moments—no matter how small—can easily lead to new business models, fresh ideas, and concepts you might otherwise never have considered.
Collaborate smarter for scalable success
What we're increasingly seeing is that the traditional idea of a full-service agency is giving way to an ecosystem of collaborating specialists. And it works. When data migration—for example, from Magento to Shopify, Lightspeed to Shopify, or soon WooCommerce to Shopify—is handled entirely through Syncer , the process becomes more streamlined. Agencies can focus on what they excel at: translating customer needs into design, brand experience, and customization . Clients benefit from a scalable approach, lower costs, and maintaining the relationship with their trusted agency.
The technical side—think product data, customer information, orders, and even content—is transferred seamlessly and securely. Soon, it will even be available in an optimized version of Syncer , further lowering the barrier to switching to a future-proof platform like Shopify.
And let's be honest: why spend tens of thousands of euros on a custom CMS with limited future-proofing, when you can opt for a scalable, fast, converting and continuously developed solution for a fraction of that amount?
The future demands vision and courage
We're on the cusp of a shift. Not just technologically, but also philosophically. What do we want our digital world to look like when AI provides the "what," but we have to fill in the "why"?
This requires a shift in mentality. It requires open-minded agencies that aren't stuck in outdated systems or revenue models. It also requires clients who dare to ask: "What else is possible?"
The true added value of an agency no longer lies in simply building an online store. Soon, you can generate that with a few prompts. The value lies in understanding context, strategy, brand experience—in humanity .
So…where does humanity remain?
Right here. In the thick of it all. Not lagging behind, but leading the way with tools like Syncer, scalable solutions like Shopify, data that migrates smoothly, and teams that collaborate for the benefit of the customer.
The future isn't either human or machine. It's human with machine. And as long as we continue to focus on creativity, connection, and innovation, we'll remain not only relevant—but also inspiring.
