The use of e-commerce and m-commerce to sell goods and services
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services online. It includes any transactions between businesses carried out using the internet, usually through a website. M-commerce is any business transaction that takes place through a mobile device such as a phone or tablet. refers to the buying and selling of goods and services online through a mobile device. It includes any transactions between businesses carried out online, often through a mobile app or a website accessible on a table or mobile telephone. Many businesses now offer an m-commerce option in addition to their e-commerce for customers to purchase goods and services.
Three things are required for e-commerce and m-commerce to take place:
- a seller who has products and services that are displayed electronically
- a buyer who has the equipment required to view the seller’s products and services, and a means of paying for them
- a network that enables information and payment to be exchanged by the buyer and seller
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce |
| Attract customers across the globe, increasing the target market | More competitors from across the globe, making it harder for the business to get noticed |
| Sell 24 hours 7 days a week | Employees may need new skills, eg website maintenance |
| Receive payments immediately | Procedures required for how products and services will be delivered and processing returns |
| Reduced overhead costs compared to running a physical shop | A need to maintain and update technologies, including security software, which may be expensive |
| Products and services can be delivered in a range of locations | Customers cannot see or try on items before ordering |
| Able to sell a huge range of products, due to not being limited by shop size | Customers must wait for products to be delivered |
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Attract customers across the globe, increasing the target market |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | More competitors from across the globe, making it harder for the business to get noticed |
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Sell 24 hours 7 days a week |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Employees may need new skills, eg website maintenance |
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Receive payments immediately |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Procedures required for how products and services will be delivered and processing returns |
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Reduced overhead costs compared to running a physical shop |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | A need to maintain and update technologies, including security software, which may be expensive |
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Products and services can be delivered in a range of locations |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Customers cannot see or try on items before ordering |
| Advantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Able to sell a huge range of products, due to not being limited by shop size |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of e-commerce and m-commerce | Customers must wait for products to be delivered |