Retail Web sites typically include electronic catalogs that describe and display products for sale. Consumers can search for individual items or randomly browse electronic catalogs, some much larger than their mail order print counterparts. An Internet book retailer, for example, can offer millions of different book titles for sale on its Web site, far more titles than could fit into a store or that could be included cost-effectively in a print catalog.
Many online retailers allow customers to order products and then track the shipment of their order. Some computer manufacturers also allow consumers to choose different combinations of computer components, selecting the combination that best suits their budget and needs. Customers can then visit the company’s Web site to track the progress of their computer purchase as it is being built and shipped. Many online retailers also automatically notify their customers by e-mail when the product has been shipped.
Electronic Commerce or e-commerce, the exchange of goods and services by means of the Internet or other computer networks. E-commerce follows the same basic principles as traditional commerce—that is, buyers and sellers come together to exchange goods for money. But rather than conducting business in the traditional way—in stores and other “brick and mortar” buildings or through mail order catalogs and telephone operators—in e-commerce buyers and sellers transact business over networked computers.
E-commerce offers buyers convenience. They can visit the World Wide Web sites of multiple vendors 24 hours a day and seven days a week to compare prices and make purchases, without having to leave their homes or offices. In some cases, consumers can immediately obtain a product or service, such as an electronic book, a music file, or computer software, by downloading it over the Internet.
For sellers, e-commerce offers a way to cut costs and expand their markets. They do not need to build, staff, or maintain a store or print and distribute mail order catalogs. Automated order tracking and billing systems cut additional labor costs, and if the product or service can be downloaded, e-commerce firms have no distribution costs. Because they sell over the global Internet, sellers have the potential to market their products or services globally and are not limited by the physical location of a store. Internet technologies also permit sellers to track the interests and preferences of their customers with the customer’s permission and then use this information to build an ongoing relationship with the customer by customizing products and services to meet the customer’s needs.
E-commerce also has some disadvantages, however. Consumers are reluctant to buy some products online. Online furniture businesses, for example, have failed for the most part because customers want to test the comfort of an expensive item such as a sofa before they purchase it. Many people also consider shopping a social experience. For instance, they may enjoy going to a store or a shopping mall with friends or family, an experience that they cannot duplicate online. Consumers also need to be reassured that credit card transactions are secure and that their privacy is respected
The world is full of mystery that no can exactly tell a book that compiles all the information. The book which is accesible wherever you are so that you will not get worry of carrying it. Three decades ago, internet was not yet known widely to the world especially to the ordinary people. All studies were through books, making assignments in school must be based soley from the book, yet, there was no other alternative to gather information. No wonder students who are doing their school stuff are usually found inside the school libraries.
But time continues its pace to the new alternative of gathering information. And the internet was born. Need not to scan too much from the book, rather take a glimpse on the web and be satisfied just for minutes. No need to stay in the libraries for how many hours and get little. Stay at home or in the cafe just for minutes and be filled with datas we are looking for.
Internet is the easiest and the fastest access of information. Just key in the information that you want and let the web takes you wherever you want to go. From the oldest infomation to the present or even the future. I am thankful to be here in this era of internet evolution where I can make my school research fast and easy.
robinson crosoe
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