E-commerce

E-commerce

1. E-commerce

   • E-commerce is the term used for buying and selling goods from services on the internet.
     • To the customer...
       • An advantage of e-commerce, to the customer is that there are a wide range of goods avalible and also, there are price comparision websites that could be used aswell. Another advantage is that it benefits those living further away from large shopping ares. They casn then still shop happily.
       • A disadvantage of e-commerce, to the customer is that they may have to wait some time for their item(s) to arrive. Also tghey can only see an image and not touch/smell it to see if it is really what it says it is and if they really want it. As wellthey need to have a debit or credit card and therefore it excludes they young or people that don't have either of those.
     • To the business...
       • An advantage of e-commerce, to the business is that thereis no need for a high street shop. This cuts down on electricity and water, etc bill and there then is no need for an accessive amount of staff. Also, their products can sell world wide and they can make more money than they would in a normal shop.
       • A disadvantage of e-commerce, to the business is that there is a high need to maintain an upto date website and that can be expensive. Also extensive precautions have to be put in place to keep the customers personal details safe- this can include encryptment.

2. Online Booking

   • To the customer...
     • An advantage of online booking, to the customer is that there should be no double booking. Also, there is a fast response to queries and there are often links to customer reviews too.
     • A disadvantage of online booking, to the customer is that not everyone has access to the internet. Also, you need a credit or debit card and so this excludes the young or those who don't have either.
   • To the business...
     • An advantage of online booking, to the business is that there is no need for high street shops and therefore less staff are needed. Also it attracts customers that are not local.
     • A disadvantage of online booking, to the business is that there are high initial cost to set up a website. Also, agencies may close because of customers buying online.

3. Online accounts

   • When booking online, you have to set up an account. You have to provide a username, password and email address. The password and email are often verified by double entry. It helps to secure the customers details and try to ensure that they have entered the correct information.

4. Processes

   • Booking Online
     • 1. use the internet to find a website that provides you with what you want, 2. search for yoru specific requirments. 3. choose a date, number of people, number of rooms etc. 4. proceed to checkout. 5. choose a method of payment. 6. enter payment details. 7. enter an address or email to have a delivery of tickets.
   • Online Shopping
     • 1. Use the internet to find a website which sells what you want to buy, 2. search for all of your items. 3. Add you items to the basket. 4. proceed to checkout. 5. choose a method of payment, 6. enter the details of a credit card or debit card. 7.enter address information of where the goods are to be delivered.

5. Verification

   • Verification tests that the data entered is the same as the data from the source, eg. paper form. It trys to reduce any mistakes made but cannot fully as mistakes still can be made.
     • An advantage is that it can reduce errors made and it make things easier.
     • A disadvantage is that it cannot fully erase errors.