Chapter 16: The internet and e-commerce (1).

Chapter 16: The internet and e-commerce (1).

1. The internet.

   • The internet is a worldwide network of computers that are connected together.

2. Online auctions.

   • Businesses do not have to advertise the goods at a set price - they can choose to sell them through an online auction. You can do this on sites such as eBay.

3. How businesses use the internet.

   • Business are not very different from individuals in the way they use the internet. They use it in a variety of different ways.

4. Research.

   • The internet is a good way for businesses to access information about customers and their needs. They can look up market research done by other businesses or organisations. They can research they competitors websites.

5. Communication.

   • Businesses can use the internet to communicate with customers and suppliers, or internally in a variety of different ways: email, social networking sites, chatrooms, blogs.

6. Obtaining supplies.

   • Businesses can look at a range of suppliers on the internet - whatever they need it is pretty certain that they can find it on the internet. The internet makes it easy to compare prices and designs of goods.

7. Online shopping.

   • E-commerce has led to many new businesses setting up without purpose-built premises, for example, the many small businesses that only trade on eBay. More established large businesses, such as Amazon, are able to trade without having actual retail premises.

8. Online booking.

   • There are many other commercial activities that can be done online, such as booking a train ticket, a cinema ticket or a package holiday.

9. E-commerce: In E-commerce the e is short for electronic, which means that the sale and purchase of goods is carried out using an electronic system, usually the internet.