SO we started the week after CNY with lectures in regards to E-commerce..

Truth to be told, i never realized that E-commerce was such a big deal until it was mentioned in COM 125 class, and it got me doing a little reflection..Am i an online consumer?..hmm.

1. Protein Powder...nutritionpark.com

2.Threadless T-shirts....Threadless.com

3.Buying online books...amazon.com

4.Buying online custom written papers.... secret secret 

Okok..so obviously i am one, among the millions of online consumers. However, what proved captivating for me was the fact about STARTING my very own E-commerce business(remember the hypnotic video with the woman voice kept on challenging us to be part of the e-commerce online business?)To summarize, here are a couple of advantages of starting an e-commerce business

1.Low Start-up Cost..click click. YOu are now yur own boss!

2.Level playing field whereby it is possible to compete with the big online conglomerates like amazon.com etc..E-commerce offers your business exposure not offered by other avenues of doing business.

3. 7 Elevenl concept..24 hours a day/7 days a week..without the heavy electricity bills. Allowing for international customers from a different time zone to buy your products.

4. Minimal knowledge needed. Anyone can start up an online store.. Perhaps get your IT saavy friend to help you. Make him a shareholder or something. For every dress sold..give that dude a few cents or something.

5. So what if you have no business??Don't cost you a cent(Bear in mind we are talking about a small scale business here. E.g selling your used clothes etc. No business so what? Less wardrobe space lor!!No harm no foul)

6. Tailor made offers and customer loyalty. If u are pro enough and have advanced IT skills, you may even customize your business for each individual user, giving you the ability to create web pages, products, and services that suit the requirements of that particular user.

Disadvantages..OF course have!

Competition. Due to the advantages e-commerce offers, it would mean that others would also be forcing themselves on the bandwagon.

Customer Loyalty..Not easy to establish a loyal customer base, considering the number of e-commerce sites that pops up each single day. Too few customers, too many shops.A must to make your business a cut above the rest.

Security. Threats of online hackers and viruses may make e-commerce a risky business.

In conclusion, here is my take on the big hoo-ha of e-commerce. If you got something to offer to the consumers, go do it. I mean i would if i had something to offer to the consumers. Lets face it, not everyone can become a millionaire by engaging in e-commerce, but making a few extra bucks is definitely a possibility. If anyone got good idea for online business, count me in!!!LEGAL or Illegal i am all ears!