Vilfredo Pareto's 80/20 Rule in e-Commerce [Infographic]

Merchants, who are running an online business, have to handle a lot of complicated processes. It is not about technical support or leads generating, but organizing of all the components is the key to success. Due to this fact, store owners usually suffer from a lack of time to cope with everything. But, back in 1906, Vilfredo Pareto presented his principle that remains highly relevant today.

The key reference of this rule appears to be a statement that 80% of revenue is generated by 20% of customers. Sounds ridiculous? But it is absolute truth, and large companies keep that principle in mind while planning the future activities. Simply take a look at your active clients and analyze how they affect the total revenue. You will probably notice that around 20% of customers have made 80% of the total profit. Surprise! That is your own approval of Pareto’s rule.

The most impressive fact is that every business has the same or pretty similar structure. It is the reason why e-merchants, who try to optimize their management, use this principle all the time. That rule helps for sure, if you are looking forward to growing higher and faster than others.

For the best convenience, check the infographic, originally created by a leading e-commerce solution provider, showing different examples of 80/20 rule in e-Commerce.

As you can see, there is no need to bother about more than a half of your business processes. Try to use Pareto’s rule and reorganize business activities in order to be on a rise.

Monthly Update – December 2025

As the bustling holiday shopping season concludes in December 2025, it's an opportune time for e-commerce businesses to apply the Pareto Principle to their post-holiday analysis and strategic planning for the new year. Focus 80% of your review efforts on the 20% of campaigns, products, or customer segments that generated the most significant revenue during Q4. This targeted approach will help identify the "vital few" elements that truly contributed to your success, allowing you to refine strategies and allocate resources more effectively for the upcoming year. Analyze which marketing channels, product categories, or customer loyalty programs yielded the highest return. By understanding these key drivers, you can replicate and enhance successful tactics. Furthermore, if the holiday season highlighted any limitations in your current e-commerce platform, consider a strategic data migration to a more robust or scalable solution in the calmer post-holiday period. Ensuring your core business data, including customer profiles and order histories, is seamlessly transferred can set a strong foundation for future growth and prevent disruptions. A thorough migration preview can guarantee accuracy and prevent data loss, aligning with the 80/20 rule by prioritizing critical data integrity. This focus ensures you enter the new year with optimized operations and a clear roadmap for sustained profitability.

For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.