DIFFERENCE BETWEEN E-COMMERCE AND M-COMMERCE

Nowadays people need not to wait in queue for a long time just to buy a single article. However, traditional commerce is still in vogue, but every next person uses the latest mode of trading i.e. electronic commerce (e-commerce) and mobile commerce (m-commerce). The former refers to the buying and selling of products and services with the use of electronic systems such as the internet. The latter is an extension over the former, in which the commercial activities are conducted, through telecommunication devices.

Content: e-commerce Vs m-commerce
1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Definition of e-commerce

e-commerce stands for electronic commerce. It refers to the exchange of any product or service across the internet while using electronic mode. It includes all those activities that help in concluding the transaction, i.e. transportation, banking, insurance, warehousing, advertising, etc. there will be no face to face interaction between the parties. The e-commerce business models are, business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C), consumer to business (C2B), consumer to consumer (C2C), etc.

Since last few years, e-commerce has gained tremendous importance due to the increase in the internet users. There are a number of merits of e- commerce:

• Prospective consumers can review existing customer’s experiences through feedback.

• Elimination of middlemen.

• 24X7X365 accessibility as there is no time limitation.

• Simple, safe, fast and convenient.

• Less overhead cost.

However, e-commerce is accompanied with a number of drawbacks like there are chances that if some customers are having a bad experience then they will provide negative feedback to others. In addition to this, e-commerce is not good for perishable goods, cost of shipping the goods, etc.

DEFINITION OF M-COMMERCE

m-commerce or mobile commerce is nothing but an upgraded or version of e-commerce. When the commercial activities are conducted with the help of cellular devices, it is known as m-commerce. It includes, browsing, buying, selling, dealing, ordering, paying and many other activities.

After the emergence of m-commerce, e-commerce has reached great heights because it has increased its accessibility, portability and connectivity. Now, you don’t need to search a place to plug-in because it just needs a wireless handheld device. The latest technology behind the success of m-commerce is Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Short Message Service (SMS), Bluetooth, etc. It can be used in mobile ticket booking, mobile banking, money transfer via mobile and so on. Further, it allows the use of applications.

But of course, it is also backed with a number of demerits like small screen do not provide a better experience, lack of technology in mobile phones like memory, etc. less secured, less graphics, etc.

Conclusion

e-commerce and m-commerce has played a revolutionary role in changing the lifestyle of the people. Obviously, it saved their time and cost. In traditional commerce people do not have many options, but now they can explore and make better choices. They will not get cheated with low or substandard or defective items. also they will not get fooled with the attractive advertisements because they can read the reviews of existing customers to decide whether to buy the product or not.