Doing Business Online

The term e-business means different things to different people. To some, e-business is simply having a Web site and e-mail capability through which customers can place an order, request a quote, or make a reservation. For other people, e-business is having a Web site that enables customers to order and submit their credit card information online, even though their orders may then be processed manually just like a fax or telephone order. For others still,e-business means being able to place a secure online order, having immediate credit card verification, and having fully integrated back-end systems that are dynamically updated and inform the customer of the latest prices and whether or not an item is in stock. The point is, the appropriate e-business solution for you will depend on the type of business you operate, the products and services you intend to sell, your budget, your target market, what your competition is doing, and so on.For instance, a software development company that sells a downloadable software application (i.e., has no physical boxed version) has no inventory per se. Therefore, they would not require a back-end inventory database to be integrated with their e-business system. All they might need is an e-business system that includes payment processing capability. On the other hand, if you have an online business that intends to sell books and you want to become the next Amazon.com, you will require a full-blown, full-featured e-business system to compete with the Amazon.coms of the world. Otherwise, potential customers will shop at Amazon.com because their e-business system is more convenient and easier to use. In my next posting, we will discuss the features of e-business sites, online storefront options, taking online payments, and selecting the right e-business model for your online business. See you later, Guys.