So what is e-Business that you hear so often nowadays?

It is nothing but business as usual, only difference is that it utilizes the great potential of the Web that it has, to enhance the existing or new business.

Before we delve deep into the subject, however, we want to acknowledge that many commercial Websites aren't designed to generate revenue themselves, but to increase sales through other channels -- and that's an entirely legitimate business plan.

A car dealer, for example, might not transact a car sale over the Internet, but the information on his site is designed to bring educated customers into his car lot ready to deal. Your site might represent your brick-and-mortar business on the Web in order to let customers know you're there and what you offer.

And the most basic requirement to conduct e-Business is putting up your Website on the Web. A Website, to put it in simple word is your branch office in cyber world - Always Open!

Now, the question arising in your mind would be like:
My business is running fine. I don't need no Web presence and spend unnecessary on such projects.

Well, does a business doing well in the traditional world really need to make the transition to becoming an e-Business?
IBM and Dell are 2 of thousand of such examples of companies doing extremely well but ventured into cyberspace.

Following is a list of features an e-Business would enjoy over traditional business and that would give you an idea why e-Business in today's world makes sense....

Information dissemination

This is the basic purpose of any web site - to spread business and product information to the outside world. So prospective and new customers can find out more about the company's line of business.

Global reach

Anyone anywhere in the world can access information that is put up on your web site. No geographical boundaries or time zones with minuscule cost at the same time.

A business need not be multi-national to have global reach. A small company based in one tiny corner of India , through it's web site can attract customers from any corner of the world.

Convenience

This is the major difference between traditional and eBusiness. Usual business hours can be 9 to 5, but your branch office in cyberspace is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Even if your usual office is shut for the day or weekend, prospective customers can still get information they need from your web site. They can browse through your catalogue of products, know your prices and terms - all at their own convenience.

Level playing field

Internet offers level playing field. Start-up companies, established companies, small or big organization all are treated equal on the Internet.

With a one-time cost of developing your web site, even a one-man company can compete with an established company. A classic example would be of a virtual bookstore, Amazon that never existed prior to 1995, forced the largest bookstore chain, Barnes & Noble to sit up and take notice and move online in less than two years. That's the power of eBusiness!

Speed

Information on the internet is transferred at an amazing speed compared to traditional methods. E-mails, FTP etc takes only few seconds to transfer data to anywhere in the world and they hardly cost peanuts.

Faxing or sending the same documents by parcel or speed posts would be expensive or involve Hugh delays, if not both. E-Biz results in big savings in terms of time, effort, and costs, making it a more efficient way to do business.

Customer service

Customer service can also be enhanced through quick information updates on your web site - leading to reduced traditional costs and increased customer satisfaction.

From FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to live customer service, customers can get all the help they need online. This can save time, effort, and money on both the side if customers have to call you for any query and you have to hire extra staff leading to increase in pay packets.

Recruitment

Nowadays, most companies have a recruitment section on their web site. This is how a company can attract the right talent at the right time at amazing speed, without incurring the traditional recruitment costs.

Your Website is the foundation on which your business can build a full-blown, fully functional business unit. That is the power of the Web - a very unique medium still in it's infancy ready to be tapped and exploited. It is up to you when you decide to grab the opportunity.

And just think of the consequences if your nearest competitor decide to move online to grab this opportunity - and you did not. In fact, they might have already......

In Cyber world, the rule is: first come, first served....

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