E-Commerce

E-commerce is buying and selling goods and services over the Internet. It builds on traditional commerce by adding the flexibility that networks offer and the availability of the Internet.

Advantages of E-Commerce

Enhances relationships with suppliers, customers, business partners
Creates price transparency
Operates around the clock and globe
Gathers more information about potential customers
Improves customer service
Increases:
- Customer involvement
- Flexibility and ease of shopping
- Number of customers
- Opportunities for collaboration with business partners
- Return on investment because inventory needs are reduced
Offers personalized services and product customization
Reduces administrative and transaction costs

Disadvantages of E-Commerce

Bandwidth capacity problems
Security and privacy issues
Accessibility
Acceptance

E-Commerce Vs. Traditional Commerce

Activity	Traditional Commerce	E-Commerce
Product Information	Magazines, flyers	Web sites, online catalogs
Business Communication	Regular mail, phone calls	E-mail
Check Product Availability	Phone calls,faxes, and letters	E-mail, Web sites, and extranets
Order generation	Printed forms	E-mail, Web sites
Product acknowledgments	Phone calls, faxes	E-mail, Web sites, and electronic data interchange (EDI)
Invoice generation	Printed forms	Web sites

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Find out more

How E-commerce Works
Internet
World Wide Web (WWW)

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