The term “Electronic Commerce” would have been completely meaningless a century ago, but in the second decade of the 21st century, it’s one of the hottest topics in marketing. Even managers of well established “brick and mortar” businesses dare not ignore this emerging venue, because electronic commerce has changed the marketplace forever.
Electronic commerce offers the opportunity for entrepreneurs and customers from all over the globe to “find” one another – and in the case of digital products, purchase and delivery can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. A typical example is software purchases. When a customer realizes that he / she needs a particular type of software, it is literally possible to research the available options, make a selection, pay for the purchase, and receive delivery – all in less time than it would take to drive to the local computer store and make the purchase. Whether you are buying or selling, electronic commerce has made the process easier, quicker, more convenient, and less expensive.
An added benefit of electronic commerce – sometimes referred to as e-Commerce – is that the shopper is afforded an opportunity to evaluate a broader selection of products than will be found in any store, and to shop for the best pricing and delivery options. This electronic commerce process is essentially the same whether the product is software, documents, or digital services.
Electronic commerce is not limited to digital products, though. Many vendors offer a great array of merchandise online. The same benefits apply, except that shipping is usually handled by postal / package delivery services. In many cases, this process has been automated to the point that it’s almost as efficient as “going shopping” – and the shopper isn’t inconvenienced by crowds or traffic. Even shoppers who choose to make purchases in person will often do their preliminary research online. Vendors who neglect e-commerce will miss those customers – a segment of the market which in some areas is approaching 50% of all sales! When you are planning your marketing strategy, DO NOT NEGLECT ELECTRONIC COMMERCE!
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