E-commerce Overview

What is E-commerce?

E-commerce is the transmitting of funds or data, purchasing and selling of products over a network. It is also called electronic commerce (the term varies and can be spelled as eCommerce like DemandWare does; commerce - used by Magento; ecommerce like Shopify or E-Commerce as it’ s spelled in Softaculous).

E-commerce relies on several business models that define the principles of work:

• Business-to-business (B2B) – websites using that model are selling a product to an intermediate buyer , who then sells it to the final customer
• Business-to-consumer (B2C) – that model is about directly selling to the final customer.
• Consumer-to-consumer – websites following that model help people ( consumers) sell their belongings – property, cars, clothes, etc. to another consumer.
• Consumer-to-business – in this model, it is the consumer that is seeking a specific service. Having a budget and certain requirements, customers approach a website where multiple business options are offered and pick the best for their current needs.
• Business-to-government – the idea here is when negotiating a relation between business and government it is sometimes easier for both sides to communicate online. For example, a website following this model offers a place where business can locate payment, tax or application forms for the government to use. Such website can also be a virtual workplace where business and government can coordinate and manage together any kind of projects.
• Government-to-business – this model allows the government to approach businesses. That kind of websites support auctions, tenders and various interactions between government and business organizations. Of course, the data collected can be reused by the government.

Features

In general, e-commerce comes to reduce costs and to improve the quality of goods and services exchange. Key features of e-commerce are :

• Non-cash payment, non-paper exchange – gives various and easy options for the deals to become true.
• 24/7 available - services provided by e-commerce websites are -particularly available anytime anywhere.
• Better marketing management – e-commerce helps in gaining wider audience, thus increasing the reach of advertising of your products and services.
• Improved sales – orders can be purchased anytime anywhere , without you actually depend on the flow of people. 
• Customer support – you have the opportunity to improve your customer care in various ways, which will definitely promote you.
• Inventory management – e-commerce helps you make reports instantly. The whole inventory management becomes more efficient and easy to handle.
• Advanced communication – e-commerce makes you available not only for your customers, but also for potential partners, sponsors, etc. 

ETNHost supports numerous eCommerce software. Some of the most popular and easy to maintain are PrestaShop, Opencart, Magento, Litecart, Abantecart. They make it possible for you alone to make a beautiful and functional e-commerce website and start your business now.