Page 134 - Viva ICSE Computer Studies 6 : E-book

E-commerce is concerned with selling and
buying of goods/services through the Internet.
So, when a company sells its goods/services
using a telecommunication network (Internet),
it is understood that the organisation is using
e-commerce applications.
E-commerce may be defi ned as business activities
for buying and selling of products, services and
any information through electronic means which mainly include the Internet technologies.

Types of E-Commerce

Let’s learn about diff erent types of e-commerce.

Business to Business (B2B)

In B2B type of e-commerce, the electronic transactions of goods or services take place between
companies. This is commonly practised by producers and traditional wholesalers.

Business to Consumer (B2C)
In B2C type of e-commerce, the virtual stores and malls on the Internet sell all varieties
of goods such as books, computers, food items, fi nancial products and many more things
to the consumers. The consumers have an access to all the information and details related to
the products that they wish to buy. They can also track the processing and delivery status of
the products online.

Consumer to Consumer (C2C)

In C2C type of e-commerce, the electronic transactions of goods and services take place
between consumers. There is a third party involved which provides the online platform for all
the transactions to be carried out.

Consumer to Business (C2B)
In C2B type of e-commerce, a large number of individuals look forward to companies to buy
their products and services. This method is opposite to the traditional exchanging of goods
and services.

Business to Administration (B2A)
In B2A type of e-commerce, the electronic transactions take place online between public
administration and companies. This involves various services in areas like employment and
legal documents.

Consumer to Administration (C2A)

In C2A type of e-commerce, the electronic transactions take place between public administration
and individuals. This involves services like distance learning, using online gateways to make
payments, taking appointments for health check-ups and fi ling income tax returns.

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