Ecommerce (e-commerce) or electronic commerce, a subset of e-business, is the purchasing, selling, and exchanging of goods and services over computer networks (such as the Internet) through which transactions or terms of sale are performed electronically. Contrary to popular belief, e-commerce is not only restricted to the Internet. In fact, e-commerce has been alive and performing well in business-to-business transactions before the Internet, way back in the 70s via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) through VANs (Value-Added Networks).
This act of 'buying and selling' can be further segregated into 4 different categories:
B2B, B2C, C2B and C2C
Websites such as Amazon.com, Buy.com, and eBay are examples of e-commerce sites. The two main types of e-commerce are Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). While companies like Amazon.com cater mostly to consumers, other companies provide goods and services, exclusively to other businesses. The term "e-business" and "e-tailing" are often used synonymously with e-commerce.
- B2B (Business-to-Business)
Companies engage in business dealings with each other such as manufacturers selling to distributors, and wholesalers selling to retailers. Pricing is based on quantity of order, and is often negotiable.
- B2C (Business-to-Consumer)
Businesses conduct sales to the general public typically through catalogues utilizing 'shopping cart' software. By dollar volume, B2B takes the prize, however B2C is really what the Average Joe has in mind with regards to e-commerce as a whole.
- C2B (Consumer-to-Business)
A consumer posts his project with a set budget online, and within hours, companies review the consumer's requirements and bid on the project. The consumer reviews the bids and selects the company that will complete the project.
- C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer)
There are many sites offering free classifieds, auctions and forums where individuals can buy and sell, crediting online payment systems like PayPal where people can send and receive money online, hassle-free. eBay's auction service is a great example of where consumer-to-consumer transactions has been taking place daily, since 1995.
- Others
Besides these, companies using internal networks to offer their employees products and services online; not necessarily online on the Web; are engaging in B2E (Business-to-Employee) e-commerce.
G2G (Government-to-Government), G2E (Government-to-Employee), G2B (Government-to-Business), B2G (Business-to-Government), G2C (Government-to-Citizen), C2G (Citizen-to Government) are other forms of e-commerce that involves transactions with the government, ranging from procurement to filing taxes to business registrations to renewing licenses. There are other categories of e-commerce within the business world, but they tend to be superfluous.
ZUJI.com As An E-Commerce Website
ZUJI.com is one example of an e-commerce website used by many around the world today. ZUJI is known as Asia Pacific's most extensive online travel company and it has helped to put the world of travel at our fingertips. It is a one stop information centre for travellers who are looking for control and convenience of booking travel online. Whether the consumers seek a well-trodden path or the road less travelled; a popular tourist spot or an unusual destination, ZUJI's website is one of the best sources available.
ZUJI's success in running the website is also largely attributed to their network of global partners. ZUJI is a B2C e-commerce website as it acts as a 'middle man' for the businesses (i.e. hotels, flights, car rentals) and the consumers. With ZUJI, travelling is now made easy with just one click. Consumers can now gain access to over 400 airlines, 77,000 hotels, 50 car hirre companies plus 3,000 activities and attractions. In addition, ZUJI also provides helpful travel tools and destination information that can make an individual's trip unique and hassle-free.
Payment Scheme Provided By ZUJI.com
At ZUJI.com consumers are able to make their payment or deposit through VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Consumers can rest assure that their online payment is secured and minimized from the occurrence of fraud or misuse as their website is secured by VeriSign, the global leader in online security for e-commerce payments. Therefore, VeriSign acts as a countermeasure to mitigate exposure for ZUJI.com.
ZUJI's Design
The website design is relatively easy to understand and navigate. It has user friendly features and it is relatively idiot proof. Hence, it has mass appeal with its organised design; the tabs are correctly assigned which enables easy search; the fonts, background and colour combination are easy to the eyes; a systematic, neat and approachable / hassle-free service for the consumer. In addition, the design also helps to portray that ZUJI.com is a trustworthy website. At first glance, ZUJI.com radiates a good impression of the company and its eye catching web design may make a consumer interested about what the ZUJI Company has to offer.
Strengths
One of the many strengths of ZUJI.com is its diverse range of services that are available for consumers visiting the website. Here, consumers are given an option to choose freely from an array of services available, such as accommodation, transportation, programmes and activities, and insurance packages, to name a few. This liberty to choose will be able to cater to different needs of consumers , who may come from different age groups, budgets, interests, and etc. Conclusively, Zuji.com acts as a one-stop information centre for travellers.
ZUJI.com also enables businesses to be conducted around the clock. This is especially applaudable as although different parts of the world operate at different times, they are still able to shop as and when they please. ZUJI.com also sheds light to the term "limitless boundaries", as someone from the opposite side of the world with an Internet connection, will be able to access the website. Not only that, the presence of the website can help the business to improve and attract more consumers, gradually expanding its market.
An application on ZUJI.com that is especially helpful is the presence of customer care and an online helpdesk. This application not only provides assistance to consumers, but also helps to answer any queries that they might have with regards to their purchase or booking.
Weaknesses
A major weakness that was noticed on ZUJI.com is the large amount of applications on the website. This not only caused the website to slow down in its bandwidth, it might also lead the website to crashing, due to high downstream and upstream figures. Also, miscommunications might arise between consumer and businesses, for example, the airline and hotel business, should there be discrepancies. This might lead to transactions being rejected, despite the consumer's payment for the purchase. Another result of miscommunication would lie in the hassle to cancel the booking and getting the refund from the respective companies. ZUJI.com being the 'middle man' might not want to be held responsible if faced with such a situation.
The presence or lack of, sensory information will cause wrong assumptions to be made and raise misunderstandings when they are presented with services that are not up to their liking. This can be seen in the case of hotel rooms assigned, to not be as attractive as the ones displayed on the website.
Another evident weakness present in the website is the risk involving your privacy, security, payment, identity and contract being misused. Although it is made known that they have VeriSign protection, there might be a risk of fraud cases occurring. For instance, with the influx of technology and knowledge, hackers may go about stealing identities, leading to credential passwords. hence, encouraging the growth of cyber-crimes.
Special Highlights
e-Newsletter
ZUJI.com has a mailing list feature to allow consumers to subscribe to their e-Newsletter. Here, ZUJI.com members are given first-hand information regarding travel deals before they are advertised to the public.
Price Guru
The Price Guru function available in the website tracks the lowest return airfares for up to five chosen destinations of the consumer's choice. An alert will then be send via email when they find a better deal with the amount specified by the consumer.
Flight Guru
ZUJI.com acts as a host for consumers to search for options for flights, especially highlighting the consumer of its free stopovers that they might have to include in their flight package.
Consumers are able to pre-select their their seats on their chosen flights. Enhancing flexibility, it is also open to accepting group or individual booking. ZUJI.com also allows consumers to view available destinations, at a glance.
Travel Tools
The travel tools function in ZUJI.com provides useful information regarding the destination, currency converter, global weather forecasts, visa requirements, flight schedules and insurance packages.
There is also an application called SMS-A-Fare, which allows you to receive the best deals simply through text messaging.
Customer Care
To provide a holistic experience, consumers are able to access ZUJI.com, 7 days a week via email, phone or fax, should they have any queries with regards to their online booking.
Critical Analysis
The idea of making ZUJI.com a one stop information centre, proved to be extremely useful, not only for travellers, but also businesses alike. Consumers are able to seek out information on accommodation, transportation and services. To the businesses, this is an opportunity to broaden its market shares, and provide a healthier competition amongst global companies. Hence, each company will consistently improve themselves to keep up with the level of competency, ensuring sustainability.
Conclusion
E-commerce is revolutionary and has affected our daily life one way or another. With the advent e-commerce, all three things can be purchased literally in minutes without human interaction. For instance, we do not have to walk to shopping centres to get the clothes we want, or food we are craving for (McDonalds online catalogue). Just one click and everything is done.
However, e-commerce does have its pros and cons. There are still some areas that can be improved on, for example, forums could be provided on this e-commerce website so that the consumers are able to interact with each other and give feedbacks. The unprecedented growth in Internet based business in a short period of time has underscored the need for understanding the mechanisms and theorizing the business models adopted by successful organizations. With the rapid advancement in technology, we are in for more surprises in the future.
Evidently, e-commerce has proven itself to be invaluable in handling future business transactions, in a much more accessible, hassle-free and extremely consumer friendly environment.
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