What does e-commerce mean?

e-commerce, maintaining relationships and conducting business transactions that include selling information, services, and goods by means of computer telecommunications networks. Although in the vernacular e-commerce usually refers only to the trading of goods and services over the Internet, broader economic activity is included.

When did e-commerce start?

E-commerce traces back to 1994 when the first internet sale was made (a CD sold to a friend through a website). Now a global phenomenon bolstered by the likes of Amazon and Alibaba, e-commerce has a global reach of 12 to 24 million e-commerce stores [ 3 ].

How has e-commerce changed the world?

More recently, with the global spread of smartphones and the accessibility of fast broadband connections to the Internet, much e-commerce moved to mobile devices, which also included tablets, laptops, and wearable products such as watches. E-commerce has deeply affected everyday life and how business and governments operate.