History of e-commerce

https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/e-
commerce

E-commerce began in the 1960s, when businesses started

using EDI ( electronic data interchange ) to share business
documents with other companies.
In 1979, Michael Aldrich introduced online shopping, which
marked a significant milestone in e-commerce. People could
now purchase products and services online.
Fast forward to the 1990s, the internet became widely
accessible, leading to the rise of e-commerce giants like
Amazon and eBay.
Since then, e-commerce has continued to evolve, with
advancements in technology, secure payment systems, and
mobile commerce (m-commerce) becoming increasingly
popular.
Today, e-commerce has become an integral part of our lives,
offering convenience, a wide range of products, and the ability
to shop from anywhere at any time.
E-commerce grew significantly in 2020 as the pandemic took
hold. COVID-19 definitely had a significant impact on the growth
of e-commerce!
With lockdowns and restrictions in place, people turned to
online shopping as a safer and more convenient way to get the
things they needed.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-commerce across
various industries, from retail to food delivery and everything in
between.
Many businesses also shifted their focus to online operations,
creating or expanding their e-commerce platforms to reach
customers who were staying at home.
Overall, COVID-19 acted as a catalyst for the growth of e-
commerce, changing the way we shop and accelerating the
digital transformation of businesses worldwide
Definition of e commerce

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ecommerce.asp

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) involves the

online buying and selling of goods and services by
both companies and individuals
E-commerce operates in different types of market
segments and can be conducted over computers,
tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices
The scope of e-commerce is extensive, offering
virtually every imaginable product and service,
ranging from books and music to plane tickets and
financial services like stock investing and online
banking. Given its ability to reshape traditional
business models, e-commerce is widely regarded
as a highly disruptive technology.

How E-commerce affects the digital economy

https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/e-commerce
E-commerce has a significant impact on the digital economy. It
has revolutionized the way businesses operate and has opened
up new opportunities for entrepreneurs and consumers alike. By
enabling online transactions, e-commerce has expanded the
reach of businesses beyond geographical boundaries, allowing
them to tap into global markets. This has led to increased
competition, innovation, and job creation in the digital sector.
Additionally, e-commerce has facilitated the growth of digital
payment systems, logistics, and digital marketing, contributing
to the overall growth and development of the digital economy.
It's pretty amazing how it has transformed the way we do
business

Different types of e commerce

https://bloomidea.com/en/blog/types-e-commerce

There are 6 basic types of e-commerce:

1. Business-to-Business (B2B)
2. Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)
4. Consumer-to-Business (C2B).
5. Business-to-Administration (B2A)
6. Consumer-to-Administration (C2A)
1. Business-to-Business (B2B)
e-commerce encompasses all electronic transactions of
goods or services conducted between companies.
Producers and traditional commerce wholesalers
typically operate with this type of electronic commerce.
2. Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
e-commerce defines online relationships between
businesses and individual consumers .B2C transactions
provide dynamic, accessible connections, and the online
platform is associated with informed purchasing,
perceived cost savings, and efficient customer service.
This digital evolution has transformed consumer
behavior, making B2C e-commerce a significant player
in the retail landscape.

3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)
e-commerce encompasses all electronic transactions of
goods or services conducted between consumers.
Generally, these transactions are conducted through a
third party, which provides the online platform where the
transactions are actually carried out.

4. Consumer-to-Business (C2B)
e-commerce represents a complete reversal of the
traditional exchange of goods. Commonly found in
crowdsourcing projects, individuals offer their services or
products for purchase by companies seeking specific
offerings. Platforms facilitating this type of commerce
include those where designers submit proposals for a
company logo, with only one being selected and
purchased. Another prevalent example is seen in
markets selling royalty-free photographs, images, and
design elements, such as iStockphoto. C2B showcases
a dynamic shift where consumers play an active role in
providing goods or services to businesses

.5. Business-to-Administration (B2A)

This part of e-commerce encompasses all transactions
conducted online between companies and public
administration. This is an area that involves a large
amount and a variety of services, particularly in areas
such as fiscal, social security, employment, legal
documents and registers, etc. These types of services
have increased considerably in recent years with
investments made in e-government.

6. Consumer-to-Administration (C2A)
The Consumer-to-Administration model encompasses all
electronic transactions conducted between individuals
and public administration.
Examples of applications include:
 Education – disseminating information, distance
learning, etc.
 Social Security – through the distribution of
information, making payments, etc.
 Taxes – filing tax returns, payments, etc.
 Health – appointments, information about illnesses,
payment of health services, etc.
Both models involving Public Administration (B2A and
C2A) are strongly associated to the idea of efficiency
and easy usability of the services provided to citizens by
the government, with the support of information and
communication technologies.

Disadvantages of e-commerce
https://bloomidea.com/en/blog/types-e-commerce

The main disadvantages associated with e-commerce

are the following:
 Strong dependence on information and
communication technologies (ICT);
 Lack of legislation that adequately regulates the
new e-commerce activities, both nationally and
internationally;
 Market culture is averse to electronic commerce
(customers cannot touch or try the products);
 The users’ loss of privacy, the loss of regions’ and
countries’ cultural and economic identity;
 Insecurity in the conduct of online business
transactions.
Adavantages of e-commerce
https://sell.amazon.in/seller-blog/advantages-of-
ecommerce
 Faster buying process : Customers can spend less
time shopping for what they want, streamlining the
purchasing experience and reducing the overall
transaction time.

 Store and product listing creation : Sellers can
efficiently establish their online presence by easily
creating digital storefronts and listings for their
products.

 Cost reduction : Embracing e-commerce can lead
to significant cost savings for businesses. With the
elimination of traditional brick-and-mortar expenses
such as rent, utilities, and in-person staffing needs.

 Product and price comparison : This accessibility

allows shoppers to make informed decisions by
exploring different options, reading reviews, and
finding the best deals—all at the convenience of
their fingertips.

 Several payment modes : customers can choose

from various options, including credit/debit cards,
digital wallets, and other online payment solutions