The document defines e-commerce as the buying and selling of products over computer networks through electronic transactions. It provides a brief history of e-commerce from its origins in electronic data interchange in the 1960s to the development of web browsers in the 1990s. The document then describes the four main types of e-commerce: business-to-consumer, consumer-to-business, business-to-business, and consumer-to-consumer. It outlines some advantages like 24/7 operations and global reach, and disadvantages such as people's reluctance to use the internet for financial transactions. The conclusion is that while e-commerce faces challenges, its advantages have the potential to outweigh disadvantages with proper strategies to address issues.

2. CONTENTS :-
e-commerce
 Definition
 A brief history
 Types of e-commerce
 Advantages and Disadvantages
 Conclusion

3. E-COMMERCE
DEFINITION:-
E-commerce is the buying and selling of products over
computer network through which transactions and
terms of sale are performed electronically. It can also
be defined as marketing and servicing of products,
services and information over a variety of computer
networks. Many businesses now use internets,
intranets, extranets and other networks to support
every step of the commercial process. This might
include everything from advertising, sales and
customer support on World Wide Web to internet
security and payment processes.

4. A brief history of e-commerce:-
By all accounts, it is known that Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) was the precursor to what
subsequently came to be practiced as Electronic
Commerce (e-Commerce). EDI was first introduced in
the 1960's and consisted of a set of rules that
facilitated large business houses to conduct a method
of electronic transaction. It also, in a way, helped
business firms to exchange useful information.
The next crucial development phase was the advent of
Mosaic web-browser in the year 1992. This web browser
eventually assumed the role of a browser which was
downloadable and called as Netscape. This was a giant
step forward in the evolution of e-Commerce

5. Different types of e-commerce:-
The prevailing e-commerce activities has been divided
into four major types. These are as follows:-
1. Business-to-consumer
2. Consumer-to- business
3. Business-to-business
4. Consumer-to-consumer

6. Business-to-consumer:-
Here the seller is a business organization.
The buyer is a consumer.
This emulates the situation of physical retailing so it is
commonly known as electronic retailing.

7. Consumer-to-business:-
Here the consumer specifies his requirements and bid
on the project.
These requirements could be as simple as an
acceptable price or could involve considerable
customization of an existing standard product or
creation of a new product.
The consumer reviews the bids and select the company
that will complete the project.

8. Business-to-business:-
Here the buyer and seller are business organization.
There are three types of systems, namely buyer-oriented
systems, seller-oriented systems and virtual
marketplace.
It is basically related to supply-chain management.

9. Consumer-to-consumer:-
 Here the buyer and the seller are the customers.
 There are many sites offering free classified auctions
and forums where individual can buy and sell thanks
on online payment systems.
 E-bay’s auction service is a great example where
person-to-person auction takes place everyday since
1995.

10. Advantages:-
 24 *7 operations i.e. this business can be done at
anytime.
 Global reach
 Cost of acquiring, serving and retaining customers.
 Shopping online is convenient and time saving.
 An extended enterprise is easy to build.
 Improved customer service to your clients.
 Power to provide ‘the best of both the worlds’.
 The customer controls the interaction.
 Knowledge of customer behaviour

11. Disadvantages:-
 People do not use internet for financial transactions.
 It is not suitable for perishable commodities like food
items.
 Difficulty faced by business to calculate the return-on-business.
 In addition to technology and software issues, many
businesses face cultural and legal obstacles in
conducting e-commerce.
 Some business never lends to e-commerce.
 Failure might occur in the system.
 Network congestion in the internet.

12. Conclusion:
The high rate of business carried over internet has made
it synonymous with the whole phenomena of e-commerce
.Thus on evaluating the pros-and –cons of
e-commerce , we can say that the advantages of e-commerce
have the potential to out weigh the
disadvantages. Proper strategy to address a technical
issue and to build up customers trust on the system
can change the present scenario which will help e-commerce
adapt to the changing needs of the world
and contribute to the world’s economy.

13. References:-
 www.google.com
 Basandra Suresh, edition 2006,Computers Today,SGG
Publications.Pvt.ltd,pg no-263 to 265

14. THANK YOU