Exploring E-commerce

Case Problem 1: Flowers for Sale on the Web

Many business sell flowers and related gift items on the Web. FTD.com started as the first flowers-by-wire service in 1910 and moved to the Web in 1994. The 1-800-Flowers.com site is an outgrowth of that company's telephone order business. Newer entrants to the online flower industry, such as Proflowers.com, started their businesses on the Web and work with a very different business strategy.

FTD.com
Started as the world's first "flowers-by-wire" service in 1910, moving to the Web in 1994.

1-800-flowers.com
Outgrowth of FTD's telephone flower order business.

Proflowers.com
Order flowers online, by phone, by fax.

Using the links above to explore the sites listed. Find out about the history of the companies and how each of the businesses work, what they sell and who their customers are. Each of these companies uses a different strategy to sell flowers and related gift items to consumers. Based on your examination of the three Web sites, write on paragraph for each company that describes the key elements in its business strategy, and then write on paragraph in which you compare and contrast the three different business strategies.

Case Problem 2: Finding a New VCR on the Web

Your VCR has started randomly ejecting the videotape while you are watching movies, so you decide you need to buy a new VCR on the Web. You start comparison shopping.

buy.com
Internet Superstore.

When this page loads, type "VCR" in the search text box. When the results come back, note all the informatin you are given. Some buyers may only need this information, others will want more. If you click the hyperlinks on a few of the VCRs listed you will be able to read more about the item. Print out a page from one of the pages listed. When you have finished click the amazon.com link below.

Amazon.com
Large online store, selling books, music, electronics, toys, hardware, and a growing variety of items.

Click the ELECTRONICS hyperlink near the top of the page. Type "VCR" in the search text box. Completed a similiar search as the one you did for buy.com.

For each of the sites answer the following questions:

Case Problem 3: Comparing Auction Sites

You have an antique clock that you inherited form your grandmother several years ago. You never really liked the clock and you need to raise some down-payment money to buy a new car, so you have decided to sell it. You ask several local antique dealers to make you an offer, but you were disappointed in the amounts they were willing to pay. You believe the clock is worth about $600 and are considering selling the cock in a Web auction.

eBay
One of the first auction Web sites.

Auctions.com
Auction Web site.

Go to the eBay link and type "clock" into the search text box. You need now to narrow your search. Click the Sort drop-down list, click Highest prices first, and click go. Find auctions that have prices between $400-$800. Click hyperlinks to see how others present the auctions that are similar to the one you want to hold. For example, you may notice that some put photos or specific detailed descriptions of their items. Now do the same for the Auctions.com link. Write approximately a page that summarizes what you learned about auction for antique clocks on these two sites. Choose which site you would prefer to hold your auction and explain your reasoning for this choice.

Please REVIEW Additional Reading:

• CNET Builder.com
  Tips, information, and supporting links related to building an electronic commerce Web site.
• e-BusinessWorld
  Top stories about the elctronic commerce industry.
• internet.com's Electronic Commerce Guide
  E-commerce news, links, and resources.
• Northern Light Special Edition: Electronic Commerce
  E-commerce news and links to important e-commerce organizations and sites providing government and standards information.
• ZDNet Business & Tech E-Commerce Best Practices
  Links to the best and worst site designs the Web has to offer