Business and the Internet

Business and the Internet

Business is any activity that seeks profit by providing needed goods and services to others. The nature of providing these goods and services has changed drastically throughout the history of time. During the last thirty years of business activity, there has been new ways and means of conducting business through something we call technology. Technology is the advancement and uses of electronic devices and other high-tech equipment to produce and progress knowledge into the future. Today, in 1998, the number one technique of tying business into technology would be the use of the Internet. The Internet is a computer application that connects tens of thousands of interconnected computer networks that include 1.7 million host computers around the world. The basis of connecting all these computers together is by the use of ordinary telephone wires. Users are then directly joined to other computer users at there own will for a small connection fee per month. The connection conveniently includes unlimited access to over a million web sites twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Since the Internet can be accessed by millions of people all time, it would be a great incentive for businesses. The Internet can help businesses in number of extraordinary ways. First, the Internet is an excellent way to make business information available to possible consumers. Say a person hears about a product that your business produces and would like to know more information about that product. Well, through Internet access, that person can easily locate your business web site and browse through the information needed. Included in the web site found, there could be many documents, pictures, small movie flicks, and unique question and answer sections available. All of this can be gathered in the convenience of a person's home, twenty-four hours a day. A business can be very pleased with the amount of information they can readily have available to publish to the entire world. If the consumers are satisfied with a particular product with all the public information made available, why not make a product or service obtainable through the use of the Internet. Well, many companies use that method of distribution right now. The Internet can sell products on-line very effectively. It is just as simple as making a selection at a regular store, only you are using the computer and probably using a credit card as the method of payment. Depending on how developed and advanced the companies web site is; customer service may be available to help some customers with expert advice. Or, it could just make them feel comfortable. Another plus about the use of the Internet is that most of the time it is user friendly and all of the time cost effective. The term user friendly refers to making the use of the system untroubled and easy to understand. Making the computer web site user friendly could greatly encourage the user to continue to absorb the available information. Having resources like big bold titles and pictures would increase the appearance to the viewer. Simple order forms and instructions should be made clear. A messy and complicated web site could turn the user off and make them unhappy with the services provided. Even with the hundred of services available, one thing is for sure that it is very cost effective. Providing web sites over the Internet is far more cheaper than advertising in magazines, on the radio, or on television. In addition, web sites may be modified with current changes within a company at any time. Therefore, most of the information tied into the web site is currently up-to-date and very competitive. Making business information available is one of the most important ways to serve your customers. By using the Internet, the customers can feel at ease with the information given to them. They can scroll through