Express Learning: Introduction to Information Technology

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E-commerce Fundamentals

1. Define e-commerce. Discuss its types/categories.

Ans.: Electronic commerce or e-commerce refers to the electronic means of carrying business communications and transactions over the Internet or any other form of network. It does not refer only to buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet; rather it combines the business and electronic infrastructures, allowing traditional business transactions to be conducted electronically. Here, transaction refers to an exchange taking place between two entities where one sells products or services to the other.

There exist a variety of types of e-commerce and these types can be characterized in different ways. Four major types of e-commerce are discussed as follows: ...