E-Commerce

Over the past few decades, e-commerce has become more popular.  None may be more popular than business-to-consumer e-commerce.  Business-to-consumer e-commerce allows for someone to do all their shopping over the Internet. 

Business-to-consumer e-commerce has many benefits for consumers.  Consumers can now shop for products on different Web sites.  They can compare prices on the web sites, and possibly find different brands.  They can also shop whenever they want.  “With business-to-consumer e-commerce, consumers enjoy the convenience of shopping and placing orders around the clock.”  [1]  E-commerce also allows for consumers to save time.  They no longer need to run to a store to shop.  They can simply go online to whichever site they need to, and order what they are looking for.

            There are also many benefits to business-to-consumer e-commerce for businesses.  They no longer need an intermediary to sell their products to consumers.  They also can spend less money on stores if they are a retailer.  They can also expand beyond their target consumer base.  Many Web sites show what else other consumers bought when they purchased the same product.  Some other benefits for businesses are:

·      More reach to customers, there is no theoretical geographic limitations

·      Operational costs and better quality of services

·      No need of physical company set-ups

·      Easy to start and manage a business [2]

            Business-to-consumer e-commerce has grown even faster in the past couple of years because of mobile commerce (M-commerce).  Mobile commerce has become big because of the inventions of smart phones and tablets. “M-commerce has several major advantages over its fixed counterparts because of its specific inbuilt characteristics such as ubiquity, personalization, flexibility, and distribution, mobile commerce promises exceptional business market potential, greater efficiency and higher fruitfulness.” [3]

“Service and Retail sectors are also amount the leading sectors, which have nurtured most from mobile commerce.”  [3] Now a consumer can purchase something on his or her phone/tablet at any time.  Many retailers and producers have created applications for the smart phones and tablets.  The applications make it easier for consumers to purchase things directly from them.  The consumer can also see what some of the most popular things the business is selling are.

Both businesses and consumers are benefiting from e-commerce.  Many people are able to save a lot of time buying something online rather then running out to a mall or store to purchase something.  Businesses can save money and be more productive by putting a stronger emphasis on selling this to their consumers electronically.  In the coming years e-commerce will continue to grow, making it important for businesses to strategize how to use it to their advantage.

[1]    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-business-to-consumer-e-commerce.htm

[2]    http://www.esalestrack.com/blog/2008/09/advantages-and-disadvantages-of.html

[3]    http://www.roseindia.net/services/m-commerce/mobile-commerce.shtml