E-Commerce Trends and Issues

The availability of internet/web technology everywhere, anytime, using any device.

E-commerce transcends national borders, connecting businesses and consumers worldwide.

E-commerce uses the same internet standards and technologies globally.

E-commerce offers combines video, audio, and text communication, providing a richer experience.

E-commerce allows users and businesses to interact and engage in a dialogue during the consumer experience.

E-commerce drastically reduces information costs, making it readily available and improving its quality.

E-commerce allows customized products, services, and marketing messages based on individual characteristics.

E-commerce allows businesses to reach global customers with lower startup costs.

A system for storing and linking documents, allowing readers to move between related information.

A unique address that identifies a web page or other resource.

An underlined word or phrase that allows access to a different document.

The language used to create web pages, defining how a document should be displayed.

The protocol for communication between web browsers and servers.

A computer that stores and delivers web pages.

Software used to access and view web pages.

Web is one among many services provided by the broader internet framework.

Ecommerce reduces costs by digitizing information processes like procurement and order fulfillment.

Ecommerce shortens the time from investment to receiving goods or services.

Customers get 24/7 access, more choices, lower prices, and instant product information.

Building an ecommerce platform in-house can be expensive and mistakes can cause delays.

Online security and privacy are important, but customers often perceive them to be greater than they actually are.

Customers may be hesitant to switch to online shopping due to concerns about the seller and the process.

Business-to-Consumer ecommerce involves direct sales to individual consumers.

Customers sometimes prefer the tactile experience of physical goods, which online shopping cannot fully replicate.

Lower distribution costs, new business opportunities, accurate consumer data, added value services, better customer support, and lower operating costs.

Convenience, information, comparison shopping, lower prices (sometimes), and personal service.

Business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce focuses on sales to other businesses, involves departments, formal processes, significant monetary value, and complex negotiations.

Lower purchasing, sales, and marketing costs, reduced inventory, efficient logistics, shorter cycle times, better customer support.

Increased liquidity of goods, services, or information; lower search costs for consumers.

Ecommerce that leverages wireless devices like cell phones for transactions.

A communication method allowing users to chat with specific individuals, unlike chat rooms, which focus on a particular topic. IM conversations can cover any subject.

Making phone calls over the internet using computers, mobile devices or phones.

A website offering a variety of services, like search engines, news, shopping, email, and more, in one place.

Online source of current events, articles, and information.

Provides factual information such as government data (tax codes), schedules (public transportation), or research findings.

A website for promoting and selling products/services.

Websites offering courses, training, or learning resources.

Websites focused on interactive content, including music, videos, games, and web episodes.

A website dedicated to promoting a specific cause, opinion, or idea, aiming to convince the reader of its validity. These websites often represent the views of a particular group or association.

A website created by an individual, showcasing their interests, images, music, videos, and personal experiences. Often used for job hunting or sharing life updates.

A program that helps users find specific information on the web by searching through websites and web pages. They allow you to locate information on various topics or specific web pages without knowing the exact web address.

A search text box is where you enter keywords or phrases to define the information you are looking for. It's the starting point for any search query.

Google's algorithm that ranks web pages based on their importance and relevance to a given search query. It considers the number and quality of links pointing to a website.

Google's search capabilities extend beyond standard websites. It can search various file types, including PDF, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, Flash SWF, and plain text.

Blogs are regularly updated journals that reflect the interests, opinions, and personalities of the author and sometimes the site visitors. They present ideas and thoughts informally, often from a single individual's perspective.

Some complex websites partner with other networks to allow users to vote in polls regarding television shows or other popular topics.