Have you been with the ecommerce business for a while? Or are you new to the ecommerce market? If yes, then you might have surely come across the need for a domain name, secure website link, and so on. Have you wondered about the importance of this link for your ecommerce website or store? Before every link, you might also notice the letter www. It is known as the World Wide Web and in this blog, we will be discussing the connection, history, and importance of the WWW in your ecommerce business.
What is the World Wide Web?
Everyone is today well aware of ecommerce. Let’s know about the World Wide Web or WWW as it is known. The WWW is a browser or web browser that lets users’ access web pages and web programs. The browsers include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Google Chrome. The first page displayed on a website is termed as the Home Page. The web pages provide links of other web pages which is known as surfing or browsing. A web page owns a unique address known as the Web Address or URL. The tabbed browsing lets you open and accesses multiple Web Pages in a single browser. There are two types of search tools, Subject Directory that classifies the Web Pages in different categories, and Search Engine that searches information regarding a specific topic.
Refreshing the meaning of ecommerce; it is a business transaction that occurs on the electronic network. An email or electronic mail is the transfer of information using the network. You can compose, send, receive, forward, save, print, and delete your emails. This email communication is facilitated by the World Wide Web.
The history of the WWW and Ecommerce
When the internet was first invented during the 20th century, its use was limited to government organizations, researchers, and universities for a long time. The hidden commands were what restricted and unsuited for businesses to use the internet. With the invention of electronic mails or e-mails, organizations started using the internet. Earlier organizations employed the internet for internal as well as external communication in the company. In the year 1989, an easier way to communicate and share information through a network known as the World Wide Web was invented in the CERN laboratories by Tim Berners-Lee. This was when businesses started using the internet as a way of business by sharing information for their growth.
With the trend of internet connection and web browsers becoming the new normal, businesses started purchasing domain names and aimed at creating a website. In 1991, the restrictions on the commercial use of the internet were lifted by the National Science Foundation. Two of the most successful ecommerce giants today, Amazon and eBay, were established back in the year 1994. In the late 1900s, the rush in the ecommerce business investment led to the dot-com bubble and in the early 2000s, the dot-com bubble busted. Although the dot-com bubble had a few drawbacks, it helped in internet connections were laid around the globe for thousands of miles during the time. After this was the beginning of the globalization era. With the emergence of the digital world, the threats imposed by worms and viruses through sharing increased at a dreadful pace. Later, a whole new industry of internet security and the computer emerged.
How does the World Wide Web (WWW) Facilitate Ecommerce?
Businesses have been using the internet as well as WWW for a decade. Majority of businesses use WWW as a tool for displaying their as well as their business’ data. In some instances, there may be detailed information, whereas, the aggressive-sell is not used in such websites. Although not recommended by large businesses, another use is to influence the buying choices of the customers using price tags beside the product display. With the increasing acceptance of online shopping, especially during the lockdowns of COVID-19, the ratio of companies offering online ordering and payment services are increasing day after day. Following are a few key applications of the internet and WWW in ecommerce:
Direct Selling
With the help of the World Wide Web, people from around the globe can visit virtual shops and malls online, browse through various product catalogues, get all the details of the products, and purchase them directly from the website. All these functions of an ecommerce store are possible only through the multimedia functions of the World Wide Web. Also, any individual can now sell online to any part of the world without the need for visiting the place through such virtual shops using WWW.
Communication
Email or electronic mail is the most common mode of communication from businesses to customers as well as from businesses to businesses. It is a low-cost and effective way to communicate through the large network of the World Wide Web. Ecommerce is a business that requires active communication between the sellers and customers as well as among multiple sellers. Using email, this communication can be done easily without boundary limitations or lack of target audience.
Marketing
WWW has evolved to become a medium that instils trusts on a new website. Every website is now set up on the World Wide Web. Therefore, such websites get access to millions of potential customers from around the globe. With the help of the World Wide Web, any ecommerce website can market their services to the world within a few seconds and lower costs as compared to the traditional marketing methods.
Research and Development
Ecommerce businesses that are in the niche of research and development can get additional advantage from the World Wide Web. They can collect all the information for their research and development through the WWW network. The users can get their queries resolved by businesses using online communication.
Similar to the internet, the use of WWW has significantly increased since its inception. The internet and electronic mail together have changed the way how businesses work today. Customers now pay huge amounts to purchase expensive products online without ever having to speak to a salesperson. Moreover, customers can track their order statuses, pay bills online, and pursue degrees online, all without the need for in-person contact. All these have only been possible with the World Wide Web.
How does the World Wide Web work for Ecommerce?
Ecommerce is assumed to be working on the computers facility to seamlessly share information. However, let us burst the bubble, the computers have no role in facilitating the ecommerce functions apart from the technical support. On the other hand, the Web is what works behind the ecommerce services. The Web framework includes three major entities viz. the client browser, the web browser, and the third-party services. Usually, the client browser communicates with the WWW server which intermediates the communication with the third-party services. The client browser is included in the users’ device and caters to different types of content. The client browser is well-equipped to know the files that are downloaded and the required browser connection to display the file. These browsers can also manipulate local files efficiently. The Web server can be considered useful for managing data, transaction, and security. Lastly, the third-party services can be considered as other web services that are inclusive of electronic payment systems, information processing tools, and digital library.
Conclusion
Mobilizing the power of the Web as well as continuously improvising technology is the core of the success of an organization. In order to stay ahead of the curve in the highly competitive ecommerce market, organizations must reduce costs, increase efficiency, boost productivity, and advance communications. Integrating the Web into a strategic business plan can aid in achieving these goals efficiently. While the World Wide Web can be used as sales and marketing tool, it can also be used to enhance the efficiency of an ecommerce business by facilitating the sales, order, tracking, and delivery processes.
