What should female businesses do to increase revenue through e-commerce?

With the development of e-commerce, expanding markets through online platforms is becoming an inevitable trend, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

On March 18th and 19th, 2025, the Trade Promotion Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade , in collaboration with the SheTrades program of the International Trade Centre (ITC SheTrades), organized an online training course titled "Online Export Promotion to the EU Market through E-commerce Platforms for Women-Owned Enterprises in Vietnam".

The training course not only helps businesses access new e-commerce trends but also provides practical knowledge on how to expand their market, especially into the EU - one of Vietnam's largest trading partners.

The door to the overseas market is wide open.

As one of Vietnam's largest trading partners, the EU imports a diverse range of goods, from textiles and agricultural products to processed foods, machinery, and electronic components. According to statistics, Vietnam's total exports to the EU in 2024 reached nearly $800 billion, with the textile and footwear industries making Vietnam one of the top five exporters to the region.

Specifically in the agricultural sector, the EU is currently a major consumer market for products such as coffee (accounting for 16% of the market share), cashews, rice, and tropical fruits. Seafood, especially frozen catfish and shrimp, is also in high demand in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The development of e-commerce has made it easier for Vietnamese businesses to access the EU market, bridging geographical distances and reducing distribution costs. Platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, Etsy, and Shopify have become important bridges for Vietnamese goods to reach European consumers without the need for traditional distribution systems.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong, Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Information Technology Application and Digital Transformation in Trade Promotion, Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that the Trade Promotion Department always has programs and policies to support Vietnamese businesses in general and Vietnamese women-owned businesses in particular, creating a foundation for businesses to strengthen connections and import/export to the EU market.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong - Deputy Director in charge of the Center for Information Technology Application and Digital Transformation in Trade Promotion, Trade Promotion Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade.

“The Trade Promotion Agency is offering a free support package for 32 women-owned businesses to participate in the Alibaba platform (one of the world's largest e-commerce platforms) for one year. Currently, the review and completion of procedures with SheTrades are underway, and the list of selected businesses is expected to be announced by the end of April,” Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong shared.

Also related to this issue, representatives of the Chan Phuong bird's nest and palm nectar business expressed their desire for businesses processing and developing local specialties, especially in border areas, to receive priority in being selected for support packages from the Trade Promotion Department.

Ms. Nguyen Xuan Hai Yen, Deputy Director of Proline Vietnam, stated that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for only about 22% of the total foreign direct investment (FDI) out of nearly $800 billion in Vietnam's exports and imports to the EU in 2024. "This shows that there is still much room for SMEs, especially those owned by women, to develop more strongly in the international market," Ms. Nguyen Xuan Hai Yen commented.

What do women entrepreneurs need to prepare for to succeed in e-commerce?

Before entering international markets, businesses need to thoroughly research customer needs, quality standards, and import regulations of each region. For the EU market, organic products, handicrafts, and sustainable fashion are increasingly popular.

E-commerce plays a crucial role in helping Vietnamese businesses expand into international markets. Photo: Luu Ha.

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is also crucial. Businesses can join B2B platforms like Alibaba, Amazon Business, and Global Sources to connect with importers, or choose B2C platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and Shopify to sell directly to customers. Handicrafts and gifts can target specialized platforms like Faire and Tundra to reach the right potential customers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Uyen, Head of Customer Service at OSB Group's Northern Region E-commerce Center, believes that businesses need to invest systematically in brand image, from packaging design and product images to the presentation of their online store on e-commerce platforms. Optimizing SEO helps products easily appear on e-commerce search engines, increasing customer reach.

"In addition, applying technology to sales management helps optimize operational processes. Order management software and chatbots that automate customer service processes will help businesses improve the shopping experience and increase conversion rates," Ms. Uyen shared.

The Trade Promotion Agency, in collaboration with other organizations, held a training course titled "Online Export Promotion to the EU Market through E-commerce Platforms for Women-Owned Enterprises in Vietnam" on March 18th and 19th. (Screenshot)

Exporting through e-commerce requires businesses to have a suitable logistics strategy. Models such as dropshipping, fulfillment, or partnerships with reputable shipping companies like DHL, UPS, and FedEx help ensure fast delivery, reduce inventory costs, and minimize returns.

Furthermore, a thorough understanding of legal regulations and quality standards in the target market is crucial. For example, the EU requires certifications such as CE (product safety certification), organic certification, and sustainability certification, which help goods easily overcome barriers.

For Vietnamese women-owned businesses, legal issues and policies supporting exports to the EU market from e-commerce platforms are of great interest.

The training course attracted the interest of many female-owned businesses. (Screenshot)

“Which e-commerce platform should a small business like ours choose to export to the EU? Amazon, Alibaba, or another platform?” asked Ms. Nguyen Huyen Trang, representative of a women-owned startup in the organic food sector.

Regarding legal issues, the representative of the Chan Phuong bird's nest and palm nectar business expressed concern about the procedure for registering a food facility management code when exporting to the EU. "For the US, we register with the FDA to obtain an FDA code. For Europe, which organization do we register with?", the business representative inquired.

Cross-border e-commerce is not only a trend but also a gateway for Vietnamese women-owned businesses to expand their markets and enhance their competitiveness in the international market. However, to succeed, businesses need thorough preparation, from market research and platform selection to operations, legal compliance, and marketing strategies.

With support from government and international organizations, along with the proactive efforts of businesses, Vietnamese women-owned businesses can fully seize this opportunity to expand further in the international market and assert their position in the global digital economy.

The training course "Online Export Promotion to the EU Market through E-commerce Platforms for Women-Owned Enterprises in Vietnam" is led by a team of senior experts from ministries, sectors, and projects related to export promotion.

Through this program, businesses will be equipped with practical knowledge and skills to enhance their competitiveness and leverage opportunities from digital platforms for sustainable development.

This event follows the successful launch of the project "Promoting exports to the European market through an e-commerce platform for women-owned businesses in Vietnam," affirming the commitment to supporting women-owned businesses in integrating and expanding into international markets.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/doanh-nghiep-nu-can-lam-gi-de-tang-doanh-thu-nho-kinh-doanh-tren-thuong-mai-dien-tu-379032.html