E-Business

eBusiness (e-Business), or Electronic Business, is the administration of conducting business via the Internet. This would include the buying and selling of goods and services, along with providing technical or customer support through the Internet. e-Business is a term often used in conjunction with e-commerce, but includes services in addition to the sale of goods.

Although the terms e-commerce and e-business are often used interchangeably, there are differences. E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet or other computer network. Any brick and mortar store can become an e-commerce business by adding a virtual storefront with an online catalog. In most cases, e-business refers exclusively to Internet businesses, but it may also refer to any business that uses Internet technology to improve productivity and profitability. Business transactions that involve the exchange of money are covered by the term e-commerce. E-business includes all aspects of running a business that sells goods and services, including marketing, earning and retaining customers, procurement, developing business partners and customer education. In order to be successful, e-commerce and e-businesses must have quality storefronts that are simple to navigate and peruse, with accurate and thorough catalog information. E-business became an extension of e-commerce to encompass all aspects of businesses that function online. E-business involves e-commerce, but e-commerce does not cover all aspects of e-business.

e-Business is the term used to describe the information systems and applications that support and drive business processes, most often using web technologies. e-Business allows companies to link their internal and external processes more efficiently and effectively, and work more closely with suppliers and partners to better satisfy the needs and expectations of their customers, leading to improvements in overall business performance. While a website is one of the most common implementations, e-Business is much more than just a web presence. There are a vast array of internet technologies all designed to help businesses work smarter not harder. Think about collaboration tools, mobile and wireless technology, Customer Relationship Management and social media to name a few.

Further Reading

• The difference between e-business and e-commerce Computer World
• Ebusiness and its Advantages Volusion
• What is ebusiness? Ebusiness and intranets, extranets, Internet DigitSmith
• From Bricks to Clicks: The Four Stages of E-volution Strategy+Business