What Is E-Commerce?
Simply put, e-commerce is the online transaction of business,
featuring linked computer systems of the vendor, host, and buyer.
Electronic transactions involve the transfer of ownership or
rights to use a good or service. Most people are familiar with
business-to-consumer electronic business (B2C). Common illustrations
include Amazon.com, llbean.com, CompUSA.com, travelocity.com,
and hotels.com.
E-commerce can be divided into:
- E-tailing or "virtual storefronts" on Web sites
with online catalogs, sometimes gathered into a "virtual
mall"
- The gathering and use of demographic data through Web contacts
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), the business-to-business
exchange of data
e-mail and fax and their use as media for reaching prospects
and established customers (for example, with newsletters)
- Business-to-business buying and selling (B2B)