What is E-Commerce?
Electronic commerce is simply selling online over the Internet. An
e-commerce site will display, offer, and sell its product or sevice
electronically through personal computers connected to the Net or
through Internet-enabled information devices.
E-commerce has been
in existence for only a few years. Commerce on the Internet wasn't
allowed until the early 1990's. Former Vice President Al Gore declared
the Internet the Information Superhighway and sought to make the Internet-then
a private enclave of the government, researchers, and universities-open
to the general public.
Why is e-commerce
so hot? The Internet levels the playing field and gives any business
of any size-home-based or not-the image of a larger company. On the
Net, size does not matter. You can build a small or medium sized profitable
business and be successful. The Internet can also add tremendous marketing
power to a small business. Because the Internet is global, the cost
to reach someone in your local community is the same as it is to contact
someone on the other side of the world.
There are several
good sites on the Net that can help you to stay on top of what is
happening in e-commerce: here are a few that give the latest online
research, demographic information, reports and surveys on all facets
of the e-commerce world.
Be sure to check out Rich's
ATC website. He provides much more information and loads
of great links concerning e-commerce, web promotion, and security:
