Electronic commerce - what is online commerce and what are the main types of commercial transactions
Electronic commerce, also known as ecommerce, is a dynamic and continuously expanding field that redefines the ways products and services are sold and purchased online. In an era where technology plays a significant role in everyday life, ecommerce platforms have become essential for businesses of all sizes, enabling fast and efficient transactions while offering multiple opportunities for market expansion.
Discover in this article what electronic commerce is and who it is for, what the main types of commercial transactions are, what benefits an ecommerce platform provides, and other useful information.
What does electronic commerce involve?
Electronic commerce refers to online commercial transactions and represents the process of buying and selling products and services through the internet. An ecommerce platform can be accessed from any type of device such as desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. It facilitates the purchasing process through features like product search, price comparison, shopping cart, and secure checkout.
In this sense, electronic commerce requires a digital platform where companies can list their goods and services, and buyers can browse, compare, and purchase the desired items. In addition, the activity involves the integration of logistics processes for product delivery and the implementation of a secure payment system that protects users financial information.
Online sales
From an operational point of view, online selling increases customer and partner satisfaction by securely managing all data generated by sales processes and by ensuring fast delivery of products in the required quantities and at competitive prices. In this way, electronic commerce gives businesses the opportunity to expand into new markets and attract a larger number of customers.
Who is electronic commerce for?
Electronic commerce targets both companies and individual consumers, giving them immediate access to a wide range of products and services. Through online platforms, they benefit from a personalized, accessible, and secure shopping experience that allows quick and efficient purchasing of desired products.
Therefore, within electronic commerce, there are two main types of transactions:
B2B (business-to-business)
The activity of B2B ecommerce focuses on commercial transactions carried out between two companies. The platform works similarly to an online store, but it differs by being intended exclusively for legal entities and not for individuals. In this context, the supplier company presents the products and services it offers, including details such as prices, stock levels, and other information relevant to the online sales process. By using the business-to-business portal, the client company can easily check the available offers and place an order or request a personalized quotation.
B2C (business-to-consumer)
On the other hand, B2C ecommerce refers to the process of storing, packing, and shipping goods directly to end consumers. Among the distinctive elements of a business to consumer online store are the virtual shopping cart and the short sales cycle, which focuses on enabling the customer to make an immediate purchase.
In other words, B2B platforms allow companies to efficiently manage the supply chain, negotiate contracts, and optimize large scale purchases, while B2C online stores focus on offering a simplified and accessible shopping experience for consumers. Both types of portals contribute to market expansion, increased operational efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction, having a significant impact on success in electronic commerce.
Electronic commerce and its importance in the current context
Online commerce has become an essential element in today’s economic environment, with a significant impact on how consumers and businesses interact. By optimizing sales processes, companies can reduce operational costs and improve the user experience.
Moreover, the flexibility provided by online platforms allows for quick adjustments to product and service offerings, enabling a fast response to current trends and changing customer preferences. In this way, electronic commerce not only supports financial efficiency but also ensures continuous adaptability to market dynamics.
Benefits of online commerce
Electronic commerce brings numerous benefits that facilitate increased sales and attract a larger number of customers, including:
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Reducing operational costs
Unlike physical stores, ecommerce platforms can minimize expenses related to renting and maintaining a physical space, reduce staffing costs, and optimize inventory management processes.
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Increasing market visibility
Through the implementation of effective marketing strategies, an online portal can improve its position in search results and attract more interested visitors. This increased exposure contributes to brand strengthening, enhancing customer retention opportunities.
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Eliminating human errors
Process automation minimizes the risk of human errors in data processing and inventory management, ensuring a smoother and more efficient shopping experience.
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Improving relationships with customers and partners
Through online platforms, companies can communicate quickly and efficiently with customers, track orders and inventory in real time, and strengthen collaboration and transparency between businesses, contributing to long term success.
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Increasing sales
Real time sales data analysis allows quick identification of market trends and efficient adjustment of marketing strategies, maximizing business performance and profitability.
Sell more with Senior Software’s ecommerce solutions!
Discover new sales opportunities with a B2B portal or B2C online store
Characteristics of an ecommerce platform for online sales
Companies need an online platform that is scalable, robust, and flexible, regardless of whether it targets B2B or B2C electronic commerce. It must respond quickly to customer demands and adapt fast to market changes. Therefore, some key characteristics include:
- Personalization – ecommerce portals can provide personalized experiences by using data related to user behavior. Recommendations based on purchase history and personal preferences can enhance the user experience, boosting sales in the process
- 24/7 availability – customers are no longer limited by business hours, as ecommerce platforms are available 24 hours a day, allowing them to shop whenever they want
- Ease of use – customers can quickly and efficiently access the products they want thanks to various online portal features, such as dynamic search filters, wishlists, and advanced product comparison options
- Accessibility – platforms can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection and from any type of device, such as desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone
- Security – online stores offer various payment options, including credit and debit cards, cash or card on delivery, as well as bank transfer or payment order
- Multiple promotion methods – paid advertising, email marketing campaigns, social media marketing, vouchers, promotions, price discounts, and other strategies can be efficiently implemented and managed to attract and retain customers
- Easy integration - most online sales solutions integrate with ERP systems for resource management, logistics solutions for full stock and warehouse operations management, and more
- Adaptability - ecommerce systems are designed and developed to allow companies to easily adapt to changes and respond quickly to customer needs. They include flexible features that facilitate product updates, price adjustments, and the implementation of new promotional strategies
Examples of ecommerce in Romania
MES (Manufacturing Execution System) si APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) sustain filosofia Lean Manufacturing prin furnizarea de instrumente si functionalitati care optimizeaza procesele de productie si faciliteaza o mai buna gestionare a resurselor.
APS is a software solution used in companies to support complex production planning and scheduling processes. The system enables the efficient planning of resources such as machines, workforce, and materials.
APS software considers multiple factors including capacity, resource availability, execution deadlines, demand forecasts, and priorities to create an optimal production plan. By using advanced algorithms, the APS solution helps identify bottlenecks, reduce lead times, and increase production performance.
B2B Portal
Improve your business visibility and manage partner relationships efficiently with the SeniorB2B portal. The B2B sales solution offered by Senior Software helps you promote your product portfolio intelligently and allows you to manage customer orders quickly and efficiently. In addition, you have access to a flexible application that can be customized to your business needs.
B2C online store
More and more buyers choose to shop online, which is why Senior Software provides modern online stores, equipped with all the necessary tools to attract a large number of customers and achieve excellent sales performance. With SeniorB2C, your products gain increased market visibility, and the number of processed orders grows significantly in a short time.
MES for production management handles the processes of transforming raw materials into finished products by executing work orders and efficiently monitoring production and quality control data across multiple product lines or even in different locations. By capturing and analyzing data from various stages of the production process, MES helps identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement. This data driven approach enables manufacturers to make informed decisions, implement corrective actions, and optimize processes.