Ecommerce glossary
28 ecommerce terms, each defined in plain language with what the number hides once real ad spend runs through it. Definitions are written for ecommerce operators, not statisticians.
Ecommerce terms
- Agentic CheckoutCheckout executed by an AI agent on a user's behalf, typically via API or a hosted agent flow: no browser session, no thank-you page, no client-side events.
- Agentic CommerceAgentic commerce is shopping performed by AI agents on a customer's behalf: the agent finds, selects, and purchases products through APIs or automated checkout rather than a human browsing a storefront session.
- AI Shopping AgentAn AI shopping agent is software that completes purchases for a user: it searches, compares, and checks out via APIs, without a human clicking through the store.
- B2B EcommerceB2B Ecommerce refers to the online sale of goods or services between businesses. Causal analysis helps understand the unique purchasing behaviors of business customers.
- B2C EcommerceB2C Ecommerce sells goods or services from a business to a consumer through an online platform. Understanding consumer behavior drives success in this market.
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services allow customers to purchase items and pay for them in installments over time. BNPL options will impact conversion rates and average order value.
- Checkout OptimizationCheckout Optimization improves the checkout process to increase conversions and reduce cart abandonment.
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is the systematic process of increasing the percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action.
- Cross-sellingCross-selling is a sales technique that encourages customers to buy related products. Causal analysis identifies the most effective product pairings for cross-selling.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is technology for managing all company interactions with customers and prospects. Its use drives customer retention and sales growth.
- Direct-to-Consumer (D2C)Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) is a business model where a company produces and ships products directly to buyers. It bypasses traditional stores or other middlemen.
- Ecommerce PlatformsEcommerce Platforms are software applications that manage an online business's website, marketing, sales, and operations. Causal analysis evaluates platform effectiveness in driving conversions and customer lifetime value.
- Landing PageLanding Page: A single web page that appears after clicking a search result, marketing promotion, email, or online advertisement.
- Mobile Commerce (mCommerce)Mobile Commerce (mCommerce) involves online sales transactions using wireless electronic devices. It impacts how consumers shop and how businesses market products.
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC)Pay-Per-Click (PPC) is an advertising model where advertisers pay when a user clicks their ad. Causal attribution accurately measures the ROI of PPC campaigns.
- Payment GatewaysPayment Gateways authorize and process credit card payments for online and physical stores. The choice of gateway causally impacts checkout conversion rates.
- Product PagesProduct Pages are individual pages on an e-commerce site that describe a specific product. They provide detailed information to shoppers.
- Product RecommendationsProduct Recommendations are a personalization technique that suggests products to customers. These suggestions align with customer preferences.
- SaaSSaaS is a software licensing and delivery model where software is licensed on a subscription basis and hosted centrally. This model impacts accessibility, scalability, and cost for online businesses.
- Sales FunnelA Sales Funnel maps the journey a customer takes when making a purchase. Causal analysis identifies and fixes leaks in the sales funnel to improve conversions.
- ShopifyShopify is an ecommerce platform for creating online stores and selling products. Attribution modeling shows which marketing channels drive traffic and conversions within Shopify.
- Shopping CartA Shopping Cart is software that processes online purchases. Its design directly impacts cart abandonment rates.
- Shopping FeedA Shopping Feed is a file listing products and their attributes for display and advertising. Causal analysis improves shopping feed performance on platforms like Google Shopping.
- SitemapA Sitemap is a file that provides search engines with information about a site's pages and their relationships. A well-structured sitemap directly impacts SEO performance.
- Subscription ModelSubscription Model is a business model where customers pay a recurring price for product or service access. It generates consistent revenue streams.
- UpsellingUpselling is a sales technique that encourages customers to purchase more expensive items or upgrades. Causal inference measures its impact on revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Voice CommerceVoice Commerce uses voice commands to search for and purchase products online. Understanding its causal drivers shows brands how to capitalize on this trend.
- Zero-Click PurchaseA purchase completed without the buyer ever loading the merchant's website, for example an AI assistant or agent checkout via API. Invisible to pixel and session analytics; measurable only from order-level data such as a GA4 export or server-side records.
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