Uses for the net

How can the internet make my life easier?

I was thinking of what to get my girlfriend for here birthday. A few years ago, I would have had to take her sister to the mall. Now I just click on the internet to search for good ideas and read about other people's advice on the similar topic.

Description

I believe that the internet is a very powerful tool. That is all it is, a tool. Not more, not less. The important thing about tools is that they should make life easier than without that tool. Many people are using the web to speed up the information search and even making purchases online. This also reduces the need to physically go to a country to enjoy its unique offerings, such as Belgium chocolate or Indian spices.

Enablers

- Companies making their websites very user friendly, especially available in different languages)

- Comfort level – time is needed for the users to feel at ease at using internet to search for products

- Financial institutions – banks and credit card companies are helping to facilitate the use of the net for purchases through various incentive programs, such as purchase protection insurance

Inhibitors

- Search engine convergence – companies can pay sites to have their own link show up when users enter certain search criteria, which has negative effects on the use of the web for purchases. Customers want the ability to search rather than being directed to a limited selection of sites, such as Amazon

Paradigms The internet is an enabler of sharing information since users across the globe have similar experiences. It is a database of knowledge as long as the ability to sift to find desired information.

Experts

Byron Alley – Online Customers More Satisfied Judith Cumby & James Barnes – Establishing customer relationships on the internet Requires more than technology

Timeline

Annual revenues in Europe – business to customer sales 2003 1.479 billion $USD 2004 2.662 billion $USD 2005 4.298 billion $USD

Websites http://www.epaynews.com/statistics/purchases.html#30 http://www.marketing.unsw.edu.au/AMJ/V10_1/Barnes_Cumby.pdf