The E-Commerce Lab | ZHAW Institute of Marketing Management IMM

The E-Commerce Lab is Switzerland's leading competence center for digital sales and online commerce. We conduct interdisciplinary, applied research as well as education and training in the field of e-commerce. Additionally, we offer comprehensive consulting services in e-commerce, from conception and implementation to performance optimization.

The E-Commerce Lab Framework

Consulting and projects

Recent studies

Contact

Research

The E-Commerce Lab conducts research on current topics in digital marketing and sales with a focus on the following areas:

E-Commerce / Digital Commerce: Analysis and optimization of websites and sales processes
Cross- and Omnichannel Sales in B2C, B2B, and D2C: Research on integrated sales strategies across various channels and customer types
Marketing Strategies for E-Commerce: Optimization of SEO / SEA and social media, and customer acquisition and retention strategies
AI in E-Commerce: Evaluation and implementation of AI technologies and tools
Services: Investigation of the efficiency of virtual consulting, configurators, live chat / chatbots, and payment solutions
Cross-Border E-Commerce: Analysis of challenges and strategies in international online trade
Sustainability in E-Commerce: Research on sustainable business models such as re-commerce, sharing commerce, and circular economy

Consulting Services and Projects

Our E-Commerce Lab offers a comprehensive portfolio of services specifically designed to support e-commerce managers and companies in optimizing and expanding their online presence. Here is a detailed overview of our offerings:

E-Commerce, Online chopping Internet business concept on virtual screen.

Consulting Projects

Based on our extensive expertise and in collaboration with specialized professionals, we develop customized solutions tailored to your needs. A typical project scope includes an audit of the status quo and in-depth elaboration of selected topics, such as:

Strategic Positioning and Expansion: Development of tailored strategies for market positioning and expansion of your company
4P Audit and Optimization: Conducting an audit of the marketing mix strategy (product, price, place, promotion) to identify optimization potentials
Website Development and Optimization: Analysis and improvement of the structure and user-friendliness of your website
SEO/SEA Optimization: Optimization of your website for search engines (SEO) and targeted advertising campaigns (SEA) to increase visibility and reach
Social Media Strategy: Development and implementation of an effective social media strategy to strengthen your brand presence and customer engagement

AI Check-Up

We offer a tailored examination of the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in your online shop. More information can be found here.

AI Check-Up

Website-Builder Service for SMEs

From business idea to reality – we conceptualize and implement your online presence using the latest insights and technologies:

Online Store Implementation: We develop and implement your e-commerce store with leading platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or BigCommerce, tailored to your services and products.
Website Creation with Wix and WordPress: Design and development of professional websites and blogs with Wix and WordPress, including responsive design and user-friendly handling.
Branding and Design: Development of a cohesive and appealing brand identity, including logo design, color schemes, and fonts to professionally represent your brand.

Contract Research

Engage our expertise to address company-specific issues, including comprehensive market research. We offer a broad range of methods, including:

Proof of Concept (PoC): Validation of new ideas and concepts through feasibility studies.
Usability Tests: Conducting comprehensive tests to improve the user-friendliness of your customers' online interaction with your products or services.
Expert Interviews: In-depth interviews with industry experts to gain valuable insights and informed opinions on selected topics.
Customer Surveys: Systematic collection and analysis of customer opinions to identify needs and areas for improvement.
Competitive Analysis: Detailed examination of your competitors to develop strategic advantages and unique selling points (USP).
Data Analysis and Reporting: Evaluation and interpretation of relevant data to support business decisions.

Studies

In collaboration with companies, associations, and organizations, we conduct studies on specific or general topics in online commerce and digital marketing. An example of such a study is our annual Online Retailer Survey. Currently, we are seeking partner companies for new studies in the areas of "Sustainability in E-Commerce" and "Use of GenAI in Swiss E-commerce." If you are interested in participating as a sponsor and benefiting from valuable insights and customized analyses, we look forward to hearing from you. Send us an e-mail.

Bachelor’s & Master’s Theses

Submit a specific e-commerce question to our talented students for them to address as part of their bachelor's or master's thesis. For a supervision fee of CHF 1,900 for bachelor’s theses and CHF 2,900 for master’s theses, we ensure comprehensive guidance from experts at the E-Commerce Lab. This supervision guarantees practical and implementable results that directly benefit your company.

In-House Training

We offer comprehensive and practical training sessions for your employees, covering various areas, such as:

Generative AI and Effective Use of AI Tools: Training on the application and integration of AI tools within your company.
Digital Marketing: Strategies and techniques to optimize your online marketing activities.
Customer Experience Management: Customer journey mapping and methods to improve customer experience and satisfaction.

We are happy to answer any questions and look forward to receiving your message.