Advantages of E-Commerce (Essay Sample)

Advantages of e-Commerce
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Introduction
Computerization and internet technologies have revolutionised the way in which business operations are carried out. The emergence of electronic commerce (e-Commerce) has changed the way in which marketing transactions are carried out in different industries and parts of the world. There are several benefits that have been derived out of these, most of which have motivated further research on possible improvement of the current infrastructures to make them even more efficient.
Benefits of e-Commerce
The most significant benefit that comes as a result of internet commerce in marketing is the reduction of costs (Kuzic, Fisher & Scollary, 2011). There is no transport expenditures associated with the use of the internet. Apple, Inc. is a well-established multinational corporation that specializes in the production of computers, iPads, tablets and related computer software. Being that the company has large market segments all over the world, most of the transactions are carried out over the internet to reach out to as many customers as possible. Hence, wider market coverage is another advantage that comes as a result of the use of e-commerce.
Application of e-commerce in business transactions leads to increased automation of processes. Most of the operations that would be done in hours can now be done at the click of a mouse button. Operations such as order placement and processing are now fully automated to facilitate for faster operations to the benefit of both the consumers and the sellers. For Apple, Inc. the large scale buyers of the products only have to log in to the company website and follow the instructions towards order placement (Karen, 2012).
E-commerce also leads to increased acquisition of niche markets. This is because customers will often remain brand-loyal after receiving quality services. This increases the sales revenues and makes it possible for the companies to invest in more operations that attract more profits. As a result of increased operations at reduced costs, the overall result is increased profit by the marketing company.
Internet marketing requires a company to set up a website and thus interact with customers from such websites. There are instances where some organizations rely on the social media website such as Facebook to reach out to the customers. This makes it possible to reach out to as many consumers as possible. As a result of increased reachability and merchandize size, more profits are realized out of the trade.
Online customers’ service is more efficient compared to desk operations. The customers’ operational costs are also reduced. In addition, there is little involvement on the part of the customers in placement of orders and delivery of the items of trade at the destination areas.
Customers are assured of operational security and confidentiality in the transactions. There are secure internet payment options available on the internet which can be used by the customers. Some of the most commonly used e-commerce payment options are PayPal, Skrill Moneybookers, Direct Wire Transfers and Direct MasterCard deposits and transfers. These payment options are available at low fees and customers may not realize the charges associated with the use of these options since they are negligible amounts.
In internet marketing and other business operations, customers are in a position to provide feedback for their satisfaction levels. These comments are used to rate the level of fulfilment that is realized by the customers. For Apple, Inc. for instance, there is a platform in the company website where the customers are in a position to directly interact with the customer care personnel and provide feedback on the quality of services provided by the company and its electronic products.
E-commerce infrastructure is made up of four primary elements. These include online branding, marketing, fulfilment and shipping costs (Helmrich, 2014). As a summarised in the above sections, the practice of internet marketing is made in a way that the marketing agency is in a position to reach out to as many customers as possible and at the most cost-effective rates. In addition, the level of satisfaction of the consumers is rate according to the fulfilment feedback received through the same platforms.
Compared to the ordinary business models, e-commerce models are far more beneficial and convenient both to the consumers ...