So what is eCommerce all about... really? Google’s Definitions of E-commerce the Web provides a very concise list while Jump Shopping's What is e-Commerce article provides even more exhaustive summaries if you've ever got the time to read through them all.
Out of all of these though, and I've read a lot of definitions!, it's Wikipedia's definition of eCommerce that provided the simple answer I was looking for...
Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce or eCommerce, consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks.
So you must be thinking that I like to dig up definitions and digest etymologies and the history of words? Strangely I do! What I quickly realised was that although this massages the brain a little, I loose the value of really knowing unless I strive to truly understand exactly what eCommerce means to my customers.
If my ideal customer is anyone who makes up the rapidly growing and profitable SME (Small to Medium Size Enterprise) in South Africa looking to sell products and services on the internet mostly within the B2C (Business to Consumer) arena, then it's important that I know what they think ecommerce is.
So, although Wikipedia's definition still holds true, I've now been able to borrow far deeper into why it is true by asking my customers. When asked "What is eCommerce", some customers have replied with the following answers:
- eCommerce is about selling online;
- eCommerce is about being able to have credit card payments paid to you;
- eCommerce is about customers being able to buy from you online;
- eCommerce is about having an online shopping cart that customers can add products to;
- eCommerce is very new in South Africa;
- eCommerce is something many people in South Africa don't fully understand;
- Straight to the point answers - but all 100% true!
So after all this contemplating, research, asking and watering down I've been able to come up with my own definition that is true and attractive to both myself and to my ideal customer:
"eCommerce is all about selling products and services through the medium of the Internet". And this definition is what we as a company constantly return to in order that we provide our customers with real eCommerce solutions focused on their needs and the needs of their customers.
What does eCommerce mean for you and your customers? I'd love to hear your comments!
Posted
Sep 23 2008, 12:27 PM
by
Byron Levey