Enabling Commerce and Using the Internet

This chapter focuses on electronic commerce (e-commerce, or EC), explaining how companies conduct business with customers over the Internet. The Internet and World Wide Web are extremely well-suited for conducting business electronically on a global basis. Web-based EC has introduced unprecedented opportunities for the marketing of products and services, accompanied by features, functionality, and innovative methods to serve and support consumers. With e-commerce representing a growing proportion of overall retail sales, an understanding of e-commerce can be a productive tool in your arsenal. People with e-commerce skills are in high demand in the marketplace; therefore, the more you know about e-commerce, the more valuable you will become.

After reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Describe electronic commerce, how it has evolved, and the strategies that companies are adopting to compete in cyberspace.

2. Describe the stages of business-to-consumer electronic commerce, understand the keys to successful electronic commerce applications, and explain the different forms of Internet marketing.

3. Describe mobile commerce, consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce, and consumer-to-business electronic commerce.

4. Describe how to conduct financial transactions and navigate the legal issues of electronic commerce.

5. Explain different forms of electronic government.

Additionally answer the following:

• How can social media in general help you in finding your dream job? How can it hurt?

• What do you think you should do on social media to create a brand for yourself?

Also Tweet once about a great way for a company, non profit, club, or educational institution to use YouTube and Tweet once more about your proposed value of that use to the organization