E-COMMERCE (MECHANISMS AND TYPES)

E-commerce or electronic commerce is the process of buying, transferring or exchanging products, services or information via computer networks, including the internet.

We have five major e-commerce mechanisms. Firstly, electronic catalogs. Electronic catalogs is an online publication, that is say a graphic interface- generally an html page in which the products and services are offered by a company are showed. Then, electronic auction. It is a service in which auction users or participants send or bid for products or services via the internet. Virtual auctions facilitate online activities between buyers and sellers in different locations or geographical areas. Third, electronic storefronts. It is an e-commerce solutions for mechants who want to host a website that advertises their products or services and for which customer transactions are generated online. Next, electronic malls. It is a web site that displays electronic catalogs from several suppliers, chargers commision from them for the sales revenue generated at that site. Finally, electronic marketplace. It refers to virtual, online environment (a website, for example) that allows individuals or firms to conduct business electronically.

Then, we gonna to look the types of e-commerce. First of all, business-to-customer (B2C). B2C refers to the process of selling individual products to individual buyers, usually on cash payment basis; retailing. B2C can be divided into four types. There are electronic storefronts and malls, electronic malls, online service industries and issues in e-tailing. Next, business-to-business (B2B). It is the trading between firms, that characterized by relatively large volumes, competitive and stable prices, fast delivery times and often, on deferred payment basis. It can be divided into three. There are sell-side marketplaces, buy-side marketplace and electronic exchanges. Then, consumer-to-consumer (C2C). C2C is referred as consumers interact with other consumers through online auctions. Forth, e-government. It is use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the activities of public sector organisations. Last but not least, mobile commerce (M-commerce). M-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services through wireless handheld devices such as cellular telephone and personal digital assistants (PDAs).