UNIT 2

Types of e-commerce- B2B, B2C, C2C, and P2P, B2B service provider, e-distributor, Procurement,
Importance of E-Commerce, Internet and its role in e-commerce, procedure of registering Internet
domain, Tools and Services of Internet.

E-Business Models

An e-business model is simply the approach a company takes to become a profitable

business on the Internet.

E-Commerce or Electronics Commerce business models can generally be categorized

into the following types.

Business - to - Business (B2B)

Business - to - Consumer (B2C)

Consumer - to - Consumer (C2C)

Consumer - to - Business (C2B)

Business - to - Government (B2G)

Government - to - Business (G2B)

Government - to - Citizen (G2C)

Business - to -Business (B2B)

A type of commerce transaction that exists between businesses, such as those involving a

manufacturer and wholesaler, or a wholesaler and a retailer is known as Business-to-Business

(B2B). It refers to business that is conducted between companies, rather than between a company

and individual consumers. This is in contrast to business to consumer (B2C) and business to

government (B2G). Website following B2B business model sells its product to an intermediate

buyer who then sells the product to the final customer. For example, a wholesaler places an order

from a company's website and after receiving the consignment, sells the end product to final

customer who comes to buy the product at wholesaler's retail outlet.

B2B implies that seller as well as buyer is business entity. B2B covers large number of

applications which enables business to form relationships with their distributors, resellers,

suppliers etc.

IBM, Hewlett Packard (HP), CISCO, Dell are the examples of B2B. Chemconnect.com
and chemdex.com are the examples of B2B that brings two firms together on the virtual market.

Diagrammatic Representation of B2B Model

Business - to - Consumer (B2C)

As the name suggests, it is the model involving business and consumers over the internet. B2C
means selling directly to the end consumer or selling to an individual rather than a company.
Website following B2C business model sells its product directly to a customer. A customer can view
products shown on the website of business organization. The customer can choose a product and
order the same. Website will send a notification to the business organization via email and
organization will dispatch the product/goods to the customer. B2C is also known as internet retailing
or E-tailing.

The B2C model includes electronic shopping, information searching (e.g. railway timetables) but
also interactive games delivered over the Internet.

Popular items sold using B2C model are airline tickets, books, computers, videotapes, music CDs,
toys, music, health and beauty products, jewellery etc..

Following are the key features of a B2C Model • Heavy advertising required to attract large number
of customers. • High investment in terms of hardware/software. • Support or good customer care
service
Consumer - to - Consumer (C2C)

Customer to Customer (C2C), sometimes known as Consumer to Consumer, ECommerce involves

electronically-facilitated transactions between individuals, often through a third party. One common
example is online auctions, such as Ebay, where an individual can list an item for sale and other
individuals can bid to purchase it. Auction sites normally charge commission to the sellers using
them. They act purely as intermediaries who match buyers with sellers and they have little control
over the quality of the products being offered.

Consumer - to -Business (C2B)

Customer to Business (C2B), sometimes known as Consumer to Business, is the most recent E-
Commerce business model. In this model, individual customers offer to sell products and services to
companies who are prepared to purchase them. This business model is the opposite of the
traditional B2C model. C2B (Customer to Business) is a model where initiative comes from the
customers (consumers) and enterprises are the target group. The customers actively contact the
enterprises via the Internet and raise questions, suggestions and ideas that can be used, for example
for product or service innovation.

Example Fiverr,Upwork
Government-to-Citizen (G2C):

G2C e-commerce involves government agencies providing services and information to citizens
online. Examples include online tax filing systems or government portals for obtaining official
documents.

Government-to-Business (G2B):

G2B e-commerce refers to government entities providing services to businesses online. This could
include permit applications, licensing, and procurement processes.

Mobile Commerce (m-commerce): M-commerce involves conducting e-commerce transactions

through mobile devices. Examples include mobile apps for shopping, mobile banking, and mobile
payment services like Apple Pay.

Social Commerce:

Social commerce integrates e-commerce with social media platforms. Businesses sell products
directly through social media channels. Instagram Shops and Facebook Marketplace are examples of
social commerce.

Subscription-based E-commerce: In this model, customers subscribe to receive products or services

regularly. Examples include subscription boxes like Birchbox (beauty products) or Netflix (streaming
services).

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) E-commerce:

P2P e-commerce connects individuals who want to share resources or services, often facilitated by a
platform. Airbnb (accommodation sharing) and Uber (ride-sharing) are examples.

B2B service providers, e-distributors, and procurement in e-commerce refer to different roles and
functions within the business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce ecosystem:

1. B2B Service Provider:

• Role: B2B service providers offer various services and solutions to other businesses
engaged in e-commerce or online operations.

• Services Provided: These services can include web development, digital marketing,
logistics, payment processing, customer support, cloud computing, and more.

• Purpose: B2B service providers help businesses optimize their online operations by
outsourcing specialized tasks to experts, thereby enhancing efficiency and
productivity.
 2. E-Distributor:

• Role: E-distributors function as intermediaries between manufacturers or suppliers

and businesses looking to purchase products or services in bulk.

• Services Provided: E-distributors typically operate online marketplaces or platforms

where businesses can browse, order, and often receive delivery of products or
services.

• Purpose: E-distributors simplify the procurement process for businesses by offering

a convenient way to access a wide range of products or services, often at
competitive prices.

3. Procurement in E-commerce:

• Role: Procurement in e-commerce refers to the activities related to sourcing,

purchasing, and managing goods or services required by a business for its
operations.

• Services Provided: This can involve negotiating contracts, managing supplier

relationships, optimizing purchasing processes, and ensuring the availability of
necessary supplies.

• Purpose: Efficient procurement practices in e-commerce help businesses secure

cost-effective supplies, minimize risks, and ensure timely delivery, contributing to
overall operational success.

In summary, these three roles are essential components of the B2B e-commerce landscape:

• B2B service providers offer a wide range of services to enhance the online operations of
other businesses.

• E-distributors provide a platform for businesses to procure products or services from various
suppliers.

• Procurement in e-commerce involves the strategic acquisition and management of goods

and services necessary for a business's operations.

Registering an internet domain

Registering an internet domain involves several steps, and the procedure may vary slightly
depending on the domain registrar you choose. Here is a general overview of the steps to register an
internet domain:

1. Choose a Domain Name:

• Select a unique and relevant domain name for your website. Ensure it represents
your brand or purpose effectively and is easy to remember.

2. Check Domain Availability:

 • Use a domain registrar's search tool to check if your desired domain name is
available. If it's already registered, you may need to consider alternative names.

3. Select a Domain Registrar:

• Choose a reputable domain registrar to register your domain. Popular registrars

include GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, and many others. Compare pricing,
services, and reviews before making a decision.

4. Start the Registration Process:

• Visit the website of your chosen domain registrar and begin the registration process.

5. Search for Your Domain:

• Use the registrar's search feature to look up the availability of your chosen domain
name. If it's available, you can proceed with the registration.

6. Add the Domain to Your Cart:

• Select the domain you want to register and add it to your shopping cart. Most
registrars allow you to register multiple domains in one session.

7. Review Your Order:

• Carefully review your order to ensure that you have the correct domain name and
any additional services or features you may want, such as WHOIS privacy protection
or email hosting.

8. Provide Contact Information:

• During the registration process, you will need to provide accurate contact
information. This includes your name, email address, physical address, and phone
number. This information is used for domain ownership and administrative
purposes.

9. Choose the Registration Period:

• Select the duration for which you want to register the domain. You can typically
choose registration periods ranging from one year to several years. Remember that
you'll need to renew the domain before it expires to maintain ownership.

10. Add Privacy Protection (Optional):

• Many registrars offer a service called WHOIS privacy protection or domain privacy.
This service hides your personal contact information from public WHOIS databases,
enhancing your privacy and security. It's an optional service but recommended for
added privacy.

11. Set DNS Records (Optional):

• If you have specific hosting or email requirements, you can configure Domain Name
System (DNS) records during the registration process. You can also set these up later
through your registrar's control panel.

12. Make Payment:

 • Provide your payment information and complete the transaction. Registrars typically
accept credit/debit cards, PayPal, and other payment methods.

13. Receive Confirmation:

• After a successful registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email
from the registrar. This email will contain details about your domain registration,
including login credentials to manage your domain.

14. Manage Your Domain:

• Access your registrar's control panel to manage your domain settings, such as DNS
records, email forwarding, or domain renewal.

15. Renew Your Domain:

• Keep track of your domain's expiration date and renew it before it expires to
maintain ownership. Most registrars offer auto-renewal options for convenience.

It's essential to keep your contact information up to date with the registrar to receive renewal
notices and important updates related to your domain. Choose a reputable registrar to ensure a
smooth registration process and reliable domain management services.

The WHOIS database contains listings of all registered domain names on the internet. It is
maintained and regularly updated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN).

The database can be used to obtain information and records of domain names, like registration and
expiration dates, current domain registrar and name servers, as well as the owner's personal contact
information.

Domain privacy protection is a service that hides your WHOIS information from the public. By using
this feature, website owners will be less prone to spam messages and identity theft.

To register a domain, the owner must submit their contact details, such as the name, organization,
location, phone number, and email address.

These personal details, along with the registration and expiration dates, IP address, and domain
registrar, will be accessible through the public directory.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) requires this information to
verify and authenticate the domain’s registrant. However, making these details public also leaves
room for malicious intent.

With the WHOIS privacy services, site owners and administrators can conceal their sensitive
information in the public directory.
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. URL is an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator and is a
reference (an address) to a resource on the Internet.

A typical website has at least 3 parts in its URL like www.google.com but some complex URLs might
also have 8 to 9 parts namely scheme, subdomain, domain name, top-level domain, port number,
path, query, parameters, and fragment.

Components of a URL

1. Scheme :

https://

The protocol or scheme part of the URL and indicates the set of rules that will decide the
transmission and exchange of data. HTTPS which stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure
tells the browser to display the page in Hyper Text (HTML) format as well as encrypt any
information that the user enters in the page. Other protocols include the FTP or File Transfer
Protocol which is used for transferring files between client and server, SMTP or Single Mail Transfer
Protocol which is used for sending emails.

2. Subdomain :

https://www.

The subdomain is used to separate different sections of the website as it specifies the type of
resource to be delivered to the client. Here the subdomain used ‘www’ is a general symbol for any
resource on the web. Subdomains like ‘blog’ direct to a blog page, ‘audio’ indicates the resource
type as audio.
3. Domain Name :

https://www.example.

Domain name specifies the organization or entity that the URL belongs to. Like
in www.facebook.com the domain name ‘facebook’ indicates the organization that owns the site.

4. Top-level Domain :

https://www.example.co.uk

The TLD (top-level domain) indicates the type of organization the website is registered to. Like
the .com in www.facebook.com indicates a commercial entity. Similarly, .org indicates
organization, .co.uk a commercial entity in the UK.

Used for around 53% of all websites, .com is the most popular extension.

Here are types of TLD extensions to consider using:

Generic TLD (gTLD). This category includes most of the popular extensions, including .com, .org, .net.

Country Code TLD (ccTLD). As the name suggests, this TLD indicates a country, a territory, or a
geographical area. ccTLD consists of two letters based on the international country codes, such as
.mx, .in, or .at.

Sponsored TLD (sTLD). This type of extension is sponsored and used for specific organizations. For
example, Tralliance Registry Management Company, LLC sponsors .travel, and DotAsia Organization
Ltd. sponsors .asia.

New gTLD (nTLD). It’s a new generation of domain extensions. Basically, any TLD launched after 12
January 2012 are new gTLD, including .online, .store, and .tech.

Internet and its role in e -commerce:

There many advantages to using the internet such as:

E-mail

Email is now an essential communication tool in business. It is also excellent for keeping in touch

with family and friends. The advantage to email is that it is free ( no charge per use) when compared

to telephone, fax and postal services.

Information

There is a huge amount of information available on the internet for just about every subject

known to man, ranging from government law and services, trade fairs and conferences, market

information, new ideas and technical support.

Services
Many services are now provided on the internet such as online banking, job seeking and

applications, and hotel reservations. Often these services are not available off-line or cost more.

Buy or sell products.

The internet is a very effective way to buy and sell products all over the world.

A Leading-Edge Image

Presenting your company or organization as leading-edge shows your customers and prospective

customers that you are financially strong, technologically savvy, and ready for the 21st century.

And that you care enough about your customers to take advantage of new technologies for their

benefit. And finally that you have the resources to support your clients in the most beneficial

manner possible.

More and more advertisers on television, radio, magazines, and newspapers are including a Web

address. Now is the time to avoid playing catch-up later.

Improved Customer Service

The companies are available to their customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Internet never

sleeps. Whenever customer needs information about any company, products or services, they can

access the company‘s Web Page.

Market Expansion

The Internet is a global system. Latest estimates are that there are about 40 million people with

access to the Internet, and this number is growing every day. By simply posting a Web Page you

are also addressing International markets.

Low Cost Marketing

Imagine developing a full color brochure without having to incur the costs of proofs, printers,

wasted paper, long lead times between revisions, and more. Then imagine a full color product or

services brochure that is interactive and which incorporates text, graphics, audio, and/or video.

One that can be immediately updated without incurring the usual costs of product material

updates.

Low Cost Selling

Without the cost of direct selling potential customers can get detailed information about your

products or services at any time. And they can easily order your products over the Internet, or

request additional information be sent to them via a request form on your Web page.

Lower Communication Costs

Your time, and your employees time, is valuable. Most businesses and organizations spend time

answering the same questions over and over again. With a Web page you can make the answers

available to everyone immediately. You can also update your Wed page with new information

quickly and easily.

Introduction to Internet services and tools

Internet Services allows us to access huge amount of information such as text, graphics, sound and
software over the internet. Following diagram shows the four different categories of Internet
Services.

Communication Services

There are various Communication Services available that offer exchange of information with
individuals or groups. The following table gives a brief introduction to these services:

S.N. Service Description

Electronic Mail
1
Used to send electronic message over the internet.

Telnet
2
Used to log on to a remote computer that is attached to internet.

Newsgroup
3
Offers a forum for people to discuss topics of common interests.
 Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
4
Allows the people from all over the world to communicate in real time.

Mailing Lists
5 Used to organize group of internet users to share common information through e-
mail.

Internet Telephony (VoIP)

6 Allows the internet users to talk across internet to any PC equipped to receive the
call.

Instant Messaging
7 Offers real time chat between individuals and group of people. Eg. Yahoo messenger,
MSN messenger.

Information Retrieval Services

There exist several Information retrieval services offering easy access to information present on the
internet. The following table gives a brief introduction to these services:

S.N. Service Description

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

1
Enable the users to transfer files.

Archie
2 It’s updated database of public FTP sites and their content. It helps to search a file by
its name.

Gopher
3
Used to search, retrieve, and display documents on remote sites.

Very Easy Rodent Oriented Netwide Index to Computer Achieved (VERONICA)

4 VERONICA is gopher based resource. It allows access to the information resource
stored on gopher’s servers.

Web Services
Web services allow exchange of information between applications on the web. Using web services,
applications can easily interact with each other.

The web services are offered using the concept of Utility Computing.

World Wide Web (WWW)

WWW is also known as W3. It offers a way to access documents spread over the several servers over
the internet. These documents may contain texts, graphics, audio, video, hyperlinks. The hyperlinks
allow the users to navigate between the documents.

Video Conferencing

Video conferencing or Video teleconferencing is a method of communicating by two-way video and

audio transmission with help of telecommunication technologies.

Modes of Video Conferencing

Point-to-Point

This mode of conferencing connects two locations only.

Multi-point

This mode of conferencing connects more than two locations through Multi-point Control Unit
(MCU).
Summary - How does the Internet work?

If we need to conclude this section, we can say that it starts with protocols and finish in architecture.
The most dominant parts are listed in the following section:

● Protocols – standardized rules that define how computers communicate and exchange data

● IP address – unique number used to identify computers on the Internet

● Domain name – structured naming system to locate computers on the Internet

● URL – uniform naming scheme that specifies unique addresses of Internet resources

● Client and server – computing architecture used by most Internet services