50+ Killer Business & Ecommerce Books

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Can you remember the last book you read? Was it Harry Potter? The Martian? Or Fifty Shades of Something? Can you think of any business books or ecommerce books you've read recently that have improved the way you do business online?

That's right, books are not only for cuddling up next to a fire or just dream big. They're around to make you think about the changes you can make with your online business, and they can also serve as relaxing ways to decompress at the end of the day!

The best ecommerce books outline all sorts of tactics, from marketing to choosing an ecommerce platform. The goal is to have an arsenal of books that you can check-in on every once in awhile to ensure that you're completing the right processes. Sure, you're never going to completely follow the rules from all of these books, but as you read them at your leisure, you'll be able to sprinkle some of the knowledge you find throughout your organization.

From email marketing to shipping and logistics, it's all covered in these killer books for boosting your ecommerce knowledge, so keep reading to learn more about the options for filling your Kindle or bookshelf.

1. In The Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives

From Steven Levy, this is a story about how Google got started in the first place. It's filled with inspiration, tips for new entrepreneurs and juicy details about the startup world.

2. Ask : The counterintuitive online formula to discover exactly what your customers want to buy…create a mass of raving fans…and take any business to the next level

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This book is all about discovering the art and science of giving your customers exactly what you want. If you need improvements in the customer service area, this is a great read.

2. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World

We consider this book the best social media option out there, since it provides wonderful screenshots and examples from companies who use platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

3. Web Analytics 2.0: The Art of Online Accountability and Science of Customer Centricity

This book is for the numbers nerds out there, or the people who are struggling in that area. Understand how to build actionable strategies, and turn your company into one that's run on stats, not gut.

4. One Click: Jeff Bezos and the Rise of Amazon.com

This is more of an inspirational book for ecommerce owners, but it's a wonderful look into the life of Jeff Bezos and how he turned Amazon into what it is today.

5. The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users

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Guy Kawasaki compiles over 100 practical tips, tactics and procedures you can use to improve your social media strategies.

6. Launch: An Internet Millionaire's Secret Formula To Sell Almost Anything Online, Build A Business You Love, And Live The Life Of Your Dreams

The goal with this book is to start your business with a bang. It outlines how to make it so that customers are counting down the days to your new business, or you new product launch.

7. 500 Social Media Marketing Tips: Essential Advice, Hints and Strategy for Business: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and More!

We really like this book because it covers just about every social media platform out there. It's not as detailed at “Jab, Jab, Jab,” but you can expand to other social networks if needed.

8. Instagram Power: Build Your Brand and Reach More Customers with the Power of Pictures

Many companies (like clothing and jewelry companies) have great success on Instagram. If you're one of those businesses, check out this book.

9. Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World

Michael Hyatt walks you through the steps you need to take to find your voice and ensure that it doesn't get covered up by the millions of other voices trying to be heard.

10. 40 Rules for Internet Business Success: Escape the 9 to 5, Do Work You Love, and Build a Profitable Online Business

This book is part inspiration, part practical advice, catered to those who are stuck in their cubicles, yet playing around with some ideas that could be turned into businesses.

11. The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon

Here's the ultimate biography of the Amazon company, as the authors enjoyed access to employees, higher-ups, families and more.

12. SEO 2016: Learn search engine optimization with smart internet marketing strategies

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Here's one of the more practical SEO guides online, with tips on how to make your company standout with certain keywords. The goal is to get number one rankings, so check out this book if that's what you're looking for.

13. 80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More

Use the 80/20 rule to start making more money with your online store. The coolest part? This rule actually makes it so that you don't have to complete as much work.

14. The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding

Using examples from the most recognizable brands in the world, this books outlines 22 rules that you mustn't break when establishing what your company is going to be remembered for.

15. Epic Content Marketing: How to Tell a Different Story, Break through the Clutter, and Win More Customers by Marketing Less

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We like this book because so many business owners don't understand how to simplify their content marketing.

16. Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords: How to Access 1 Billion People in 10 Minutes (Ultimate Series)

Want to compete with the big dogs who are spending millions on Google AdWords? This is the guide to get started.

17. Etsy Empire: Proven Tactics for Your Etsy Business Success and Selling Crafts Online, Including Etsy SEO, Etsy Shop Building, Social … and Etsy Pricing Tips (Almost Free Money)

On this site we've always encouraged people to expand to other sites like Etsy and eBay. If you're going to sell on Etsy, make sure you understand the rules of success.

18. DotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online

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Traffic and conversion problems are just symptoms of something you can't see. This book talks about how to find the root cause of your traffic and conversion problems.

19. The Lean Startup…In 15 Minutes – The Entrepreneur's Summary of Eric Ries' Best Selling Book

This is an interesting take on the popular Lean Startup book. It's a quick, and informative read for online entrepreneurs.

20. Electronic Commerce

Expansive and expensive, this ultimate ecommerce textbook is generally used in schools, but you should get it as well if you want to scale up quickly.

21. The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses

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If you'd like to read the entire book, here it is. The Lean Startup is a beautiful take on what you need to make a radically successful businesses.

22. Facebook Marketing Like I'm 5: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Mastering Facebook Advertising Tools, Fan Growth Strategies, and Analytics

Stumped by Facebook marketing? Here's the bible you need.

23. Amazon Selling Secrets: How to Make an Extra $1K – $10K a Month Selling Your Own Products on Amazon

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Similar to Etsy, the Amazon interface is filled with interesting tools for you to expand your business. Not to mention, Amazon has tons of customers for making more money than you generally would through your online store.

24. Make Your Mark: The Creative's Guide to Building a Business with Impact

Some creatives don't think they have the guts or the resources to build a business from scratch. This book will show you otherwise.

25. Anyone Can Do It: Building Coffee Republic from Our Kitchen Table – 57 Real Life Laws on Entrepreneurship

The Coffee Republic owners show how you can start an online business from the comfort of your own home.

26. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

This is one of the most popular books on this list, but it's certainly worth a read. We tend to think that it generates way too much wishful thinking, but he does have some solid thoughts on building products and finding suppliers. However, don't think that you'll be sitting on a beach when creating your online business.

27. The Startup Owner's Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company

From dealing with customers to finding suppliers, this is a step by step guide to forming a startup.

28. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

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Here's a rational guide on discovering the secrets of the online marketing world, along with the ideal that you can't jump from zero to one hundred to be successful.

29. What Great Brands Do: The Seven Brand-Building Principles that Separate the Best from the Rest

As another branding book, you can find some unique hints in here to standout from your competition.

30. The New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to Use Social Media, Online Video, Mobile Applications, Blogs, News Releases, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly

This book works wonders for those who are overwhelmed by the various outlets you have to reach your customers. Instead of freaking out, learn how to combine them all.

31. The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself

Referrals are often forgot about when building an online store, but this book shows you how to get other people to become your best sales force.

32. Optimize: How to Attract and Engage More Customers by Integrating SEO, Social Media, and Content Marketing

optimize

Here's a guide with social media, SEO and content marketing all wrapped into one.

33. You Should Test That: Conversion Optimization for More Leads, Sales and Profit or The Art and Science of Optimized Marketing

If you have questions about A/B testing, consider reading this one to see exactly what you're doing wrong.

34. Lead with a Story: A Guide to Crafting Business Narratives That Captivate, Convince, and Inspire

Stories make companies like Apple and Amazon. Learn how to craft your narrative.

35. Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (Voices That Matter)

Read this book to see what the experts say on web design. The goal is to make it so that your customers don't have to think at all.

36. The Ultimate Marketing Plan: Target Your Audience! Get Out Your Message! Build Your Brand!

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If you're struggling with marketing, this is a solid book to look into.

37. Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth

Most startups have trouble with customer growth at the beginning. Build traction with this guide from Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares.

38. Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing, and Advertising

Considering the future is always a good idea with ecommerce.

39. Lean Analytics: Use Data to Build a Better Startup Faster (Lean Series)

We like this data book, because it not only explains what the data does, but it talks about how to use that data for scaling up.

40. Indispensable: How To Become The Company That Your Customers Can't Live Without

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This one is all about customer service, sleek designs and offerings that people can't resist.

41. Boost E-commerce Sales and Make More Money: Three Hundred Tips to Increase Conversion Rates and Generate Leads

Generating a lead is one of the most important parts of running an online business, so it's wise to have a book of tips that focus on that.

42. The Shopify Guides

These aren't really books, but Shopify has an onslaught of guides that cover everything from how to find and sell a product to crowdfunding.

43. Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition

You want to defeat your competition, right?

44. Screw Business As Usual

This is the story of Richard Branson, who not only wanted to make money, but take care of the world as well.

45. Rework

This is a completely new take on business. It insists that you don't need a plan, investors or a traditional model.

46. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Thousands of college students read this book to learn about generating ideas for business.

47. The Thank You Economy

This is a wonderful look into how consumers interact with companies nowadays. They crave authenticity, creativity, honesty and more.

48. Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust

Here's another reputation building book, but it has some nice tips in it.

49. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Want to remain productive while also remaining stress-free? This is a beautiful book for that.

50. How to Win Friends and Influence People

The age old book is still one of the best sellers out there, and it's because Dale Carnegie knows how to get you more friends, popularity and business prospects.

51. Poke the Box

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It's from Seth Godin. That means it's awesome. The goal with this one? To start stuff, regardless of your situation.

Which Books Are You Going to Choose?

There's a good chance you've already read some of these books to boost your productivity or motivate yourself to get into the entrepreneurial spirit. If that's the case, feel free to share your thoughts on the books you've read. We like all of these books for certain elements, but explain to others which of them has helped you the most. Enjoy!

Feature image curtsey of Nick Slater

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