Electronic -Commerce 

1. ·       E-commerce is a term for any type of business, or
   commercial transaction, that involves the transfer of information across the Internet. It covers a range of different types of businesses, from consumer based retail sites, through auction or music sites, to business exchanges trading goods and services between corporations. It is currently one of the most important aspects of the Internet to emerge.
2. ·       Ecommerce allows consumers to electronically exchange goods and services with no barriers of time or distance. Electronic commerce has expanded rapidly over the past five years and is predicted to continue at this rate, or even accelerate. In the near future the boundaries between "conventional" and "electronic" commerce will become increasingly blurred as more and more businesses move sections of their operations onto the Internet.
3. ·       Business to Business or B2B refers to electronic commerce between businesses rather than between a business and a consumer. B2B businesses often deal with hundreds or even thousands of other businesses, either as customers or suppliers. Carrying out these transactions electronically provides vast competitive advantages over traditional methods. When implemented properly, ecommerce is often faster, cheaper and more convenient than the traditional methods of bartering goods and services.
4. ·       Electronic transactions have been around for quite some time in the form of Electronic Data Interchange or EDI. EDI requires each supplier and customer to set up a dedicated data link (between them), where ecommerce provides a cost-effective method for companies to set up multiple, ad-hoc links. Electronic commerce has also led to the development of electronic marketplaces where suppliers and potential customers are brought together to conduct mutually beneficial trade.

What do you need to have an online store and what exactly is a shopping cart?

Shopping cart software is an operating system used to allow consumers to purchase goods and or services, track customers, and tie together all aspects of ecommerce into one cohesive whole.

While there are many types of software that you can use, customizable, turnkey solutions are proven to be a cost effective method to build, edit and maintain an online store. How do online shopping carts differ from those found in a grocery store? The image is one of an invisible shopping cart. You enter an online store, see a product that fulfills your demand and you place it into your virtual shopping basket. When you are through browsing, you click checkout and complete the transaction by providing payment information

To start an online business it is best to find a niche product that consumers have difficulty finding in malls or department stores. Also take shipping into consideration. Pets.com found out the hard way: dog food is expensive to ship FedEx! Then you need an ecommerce enabled website. This can either be a new site developed from scratch, or an existing site to which you can add ecommerce shopping cart capabilities

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Types of eCommerce Business 

v  Business-to-Business (B2B)

v  Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

v  Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

v  Consumer-to-Business (C2B)

v  Business-to-Administration (B2A)

v  Consumer-to-Administration (C2A)

Business-to-Business (B2B): This kind of eCommerce consists of all the electronic transactions and dealings related to the goods and services. These basically are conducted between companies and include conventional wholesalers and producers dealing with retailers.

Business-to-Consumer (B2C): The Business-to-Consumer eCommerce is related to the transactions and relationship between businesses and the end customers. This is mainly to do with the retail eCommerce trade that takes place online. With the inception of the internet, B2C eCommerce has evolved to a great extent. Today, we find scores of electronic shopping sites and virtual stores on the web, that sell myriad products, ranging from computers, fashion items to even necessities.

In this case, the customer has more info about the products in the form of informative content and there is also a chance to buy products at cheaper rates. Most times, quick delivery of the order is also maintained.

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): This consists of electronic transactions of products and services between two customers. These are mainly conducted through a third party that provides an online platform for these transactions. Sites, where old items are bought and sold, are examples of C2C eCommerce.

Consumer-to-Business (C2B): In this, a complete reversal of the selling and buying process takes place. This is very relevant for crowdsourcing projects. In this case, individuals make their items or services and sell them to companies. Some examples are proposals for company site or logo, royalty free photographs, design elements and so on.

Business-to-Administration (B2A): In this kind of eCommerce transaction, there are dealings between companies and public administration. It encompasses different services, such as social security, fiscal measures, legal documents, employment and so on.

Consumer-to-Administration (C2A): In this eCommerce model, electronic transactions are carried between individuals and public administration. Some examples are distance learning, information sharing, electronic tax filing, and so on.

The main objective of both the B2A and C2A types of eCommerce is to increase flexibility, efficiency, and transparency in public administration.