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 – January 2026

As we step into January 2026, the Pareto Principle continues to be a cornerstone for optimizing e-commerce operations. This month, apply the 80/20 rule to your data analysis and strategic planning. Focus 80% of your attention on the 20% of products, marketing channels, or customer segments that generated the most revenue or required the most resources in the past year. Identifying these 'vital few' elements can reveal critical insights into what truly drives your business forward or where inefficiencies lie. For example, evaluate the top 20% of your products to understand their success factors, or identify the 20% of customer complaints that consume 80% of your support team's time. This targeted approach allows for more effective resource allocation, enabling you to refine your product strategy, optimize marketing spend, or improve customer service protocols. Consider leveraging modern data analytics tools to quickly pinpoint these key areas. If your current platform struggles with robust reporting or data handling, exploring a migration to a more capable system could be your most impactful 20% effort for 80% better results in the new year. Prioritize understanding and improving these high-impact areas to ensure sustained growth and efficiency throughout 2026.

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