Scope of E-commerce
E-commerce, also known as electronic commerce, encompasses all commercial transactions conducted electronically over the internet. It covers a wide range of activities, including:
- Buying and selling of goods and services: Physical and digital products, such as clothing, electronics, books, and music.
- Online banking and financial transactions: Deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and investments.
- Travel bookings: Flights, hotels, rental cars, and tours.
- Ticket sales: Events, concerts, and movies.
- Healthcare services: Online consultations, appointment scheduling, and prescription refills.
- Educational programs: Online courses, webinars, and tutorials.
Types of E-commerce
E-commerce can be classified into various types based on different criteria:
1. Based on Business Model:
- Business-to-Business (B2B): Transactions between businesses, such as manufacturers selling to retailers or distributors.
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C): Transactions between businesses and individual customers.
- Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): Transactions between individuals, often through online marketplaces or platforms.
- Business-to-Government (B2G): Transactions between businesses and government entities.
- Consumer-to-Government (C2G): Transactions between individuals and government entities, such as paying taxes or applying for benefits.
2. Based on Transaction Type:
- Goods: Physical products sold online, such as furniture, appliances, and electronics.
- Services: Intangible services sold online, such as consulting, training, and legal advice.
- Digital: Digital products sold online, such as software, e-books, and videos.
- Subscription: Services or products sold on a recurring basis, such as streaming services or monthly deliveries.
3. Based on Market Reach:
- Domestic E-commerce: Transactions within the same country.
- International E-commerce: Transactions across borders.
- Global E-commerce: Transactions that occur on a worldwide scale.