By Alexis Leon & Mathews Leon, Tata McGraw-Hill, 2001
The Internet and the World Wide Web have transformed the way business is conducted. Today, every organization that hopes to compete globally needs a strong web presence—specifically, an e‑commerce–enabled presence. Building effective websites and creating successful web portals have become major business priorities, and two of the most influential trends shaping the business world.
E‑commerce and e‑business are dynamic, rapidly expanding fields. The World Wide Web, though relatively young, continues to evolve at an astonishing pace, bringing with it new business models, technologies, and opportunities. These disciplines draw upon a wide range of areas—accounting, business law, cyber law, information systems, marketing, advertising, Internet technologies, security, management, customer relations, production, and more—making them both challenging and exciting to study.
A global business strategy today demands more than a simple corporate website. To succeed in a highly competitive digital economy, a company’s website must enable customers to transact online, offer personalized and high‑quality service, and operate seamlessly around the clock for users across the world. Building such a site requires thoughtful planning, the right technologies, and a deep understanding of online customer behavior. This book explains how to create successful e‑commerce websites—how to market them, attract and retain customers, add value to services, stay ahead of competitors, and ultimately improve profitability.
In recent years, web portals have attracted tremendous attention. High‑value acquisitions and rapid growth have inspired many to launch portals of their own. As Ms. Kaur noted in Computers Today (16–31 March 2000), “there is a mad scramble for sites to call themselves portals.” But while launching a portal is easy, making it successful is not. It requires careful planning, the right partners, robust infrastructure, and continuous management. Poorly planned or poorly managed portals often fail before they even take off. This book provides practical guidance on how to build and manage portals effectively.
Throughout the book, numerous Indian and international examples illustrate what works—and what doesn’t. Case studies reinforce key concepts, and dedicated chapters discuss tools and solutions suitable for small, medium, and large businesses.
📘 How the Book Is Organized
The book is divided into six sections (27 chapters) and four appendices:
Section 1:
Introduction to websites, portals, and e‑commerce; evolution of e‑commerce; types of e‑commerce.
Section 2:
Setting up a web‑based business—essential information, required infrastructure, selecting business partners.
Section 3:
Detailed guidance on creating websites and portals; available solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Section 4:
Internet security, secure payment mechanisms, electronic payment options, credit card processing, and merchant support agencies—especially useful for businesses operating under foreign exchange regulations.
Section 5:
Implementing e‑business within an organization. This section explains how to transform a traditional company into an e‑business, manage organizational change, advertise online, analyze web statistics, personalize websites, and apply proven techniques to attract and retain customers.
Section 6:
Practical advice on succeeding in cyberspace—how to generate revenue, avoid common mistakes, and outperform competitors.
📚 Appendices
- E‑commerce and e‑business resources
- Case studies from real‑world examples across the globe
- Glossary of Internet and e‑commerce terminology
- Recommended reading on related topics
👥 Who Should Read This Book?
This book is designed for:
- Managers and executives taking their businesses online
- Entrepreneurs launching new online ventures
- Professionals responsible for creating or managing e‑commerce websites or portals
- Students and learners studying e‑commerce, e‑business, or web technologies
The principles and techniques discussed apply equally to new businesses, established companies expanding online, and organizations transforming their websites into full‑fledged e‑commerce platforms.
Special emphasis is placed on portal creation and management, partner selection, customer care, and real‑world examples—making the book especially valuable for portal developers and managers.
The companion CD includes a CBT module covering the origins, features, advantages, and future of e‑commerce—an excellent resource for students and anyone exploring this field.