常州永宁寺住持:用英语介绍一下电子商务这个专业

电子商务，参考：）~

In simple terms, electronic commerce means the conducting of business communication and transactions over networks and through computers.
As most restrictively defined, electronic commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services, and the transfer of funds, through digital communications. But delectronic commerce also includes all inter-company and intra-company functions ( such as marketing, finance, manufacturing, selling, and negotiation ) that enable commerce and utilize E-Mail, Electronic Data Interchange ( EDI ), file transfer, fax, video conferencing, workflow of interaction with a remote computer ( including use of the World Wide Web ). Although it is a fledgling industry currently, yet with teh development of computing technology and the further enlargement of cyberspace, inevitably it will be a "must" part of our everyday lives.

The manufacturer sells directly to consumers via the internet. The goal is to remove intermediaries, through a process called disintermediation, and to establish direct customer relationships. Disintermediation is not a new idea as catalog companies have been utilizing this method for years.Online intermediaries are companies that facilitate transactionsbetween buyers and sellers and receive a percentage of thetransaction's value. These firms make up the largest group of B 2Ccompanies today. There are two types of online intermediaries: brokersand infomediaries

In an advertising-based system, businesses' sites have ad inventory, which they sell to interested parties. There are two guiding philosophies for this practice: high-traffic or niche. Advertisers take a high-traffic approach when attempting to reach a larger audience. These advertisers are willing to pay a premium for a site that can deliver high numbers, for example advertisements on Yahoo! or AOL. When advertisers are trying to reach a smaller group of buyers, they take a niche approach. These buyers are well-defined, clearly identified, and desirable. The niche approach focuses on quality, not quantity. For example, an advertisement on WSJ.com would chiefly be viewed by business people and executives.

The two main challenges faced by B 2C e-commerce are building traffic and sustaining customer loyalty. Due to the winner-take-all nature of the B 2C structure, many smaller firms find it difficult to enter a market and remain competitive. In addition, online shoppers are very price-sensitive and are easily lured away, so acquiring and keeping new customers is difficult.