E COMMERCE
MEANING OF E COMMERCE---------

E commerce can be defined as " any form of business 
transaction in which the parties interact electronically 
rather than by physical exchanges or direct physical 
contact." It is a real business tool that can sharpen the 
edge of any business. It can also be interpreted as 
connecting your critical business systems and offering a 
seamless data network directly with customers, suppliers, 
vendors and employees through intranets, extranets and over 
the internet to enable tremendous integration. 

E commerce offers new method of marketing, selling and 
delivering goods and services. The web enables a company's 
technology system to directly interface with any and all 
customers, regardless of time or location potentially 
eliminating many face-to-face and telephone based 
intermediaries.

By broadening reach considerably, the e commerce expands 
the market incredibly by transforming a small store down 
the road into a virtual store with a global consumer base. 
Secondly, by offering enormous flexibility, it gives you 
scope to optimise costs and maximise output. It brings down 
the middleman's margin as well as cost of order processing, 
faxes, telephone and travel. Savings in terms of media 
expenditure such as brochures, leaflets and flyers can be 
cut down immensely. E commerce also results in savings on 
mailing coats, stationery and man power. In fact spending 
on implementing e commerce could sometimes equal the 
savings it results in , in less than a year.

An e commerce web site should not be cluttered. No glitzy 
graphics should divert the mind of the shopper. To give an 
edge to sales,the content and presentation of the site 
should be well designed. The site should be easily 
navigable. Thumbnails should give initial product 
description so that the page does not take too long to 
load. The thumbnail should also be able to give an option 
to the shopper, of clicking on the thumbnail for a larger 
graphic. Your web site should compare so that customers do 
not have to spend time findin out prices or product featurs 
from other merchants and can make an impulse buy 
immediately. Your web site should contain address, phone 
no, e mail and billing information.

The procedure to be followed by the shopper is that, he 
browses through a site, compares values with other site 
then places an order. To ensure shopper's privacy, 
guarantees should be provided so that the shopper's 
personal information is not sold to other companies for 
mailing lists and other purposes.

Potential shoppers should be given technical support.

Cautions to be taken-----

1. Against poor customer support.
2. Issues arising after the purchase.

A perfect online store should be able to give  an 
unconditional exchange or a refund to boost consumer 
confidence. With a well planned graphic design, the 
potential shopper can be enticed. Pleasant colour scheme 
and tasteful design will highlight a product. Graphics need 
not be too large or flashy. A quick loading site is a must.