E-commerce Models
Technology growth and innovation has fueled e-commerce increasingly in the last decade. Today, shoppers all over the world are preferring to shop and pay for services and products over the Internet because of the benefits attached including convenience and speed. According to a recent report, global ecommerce sales has been estimated to increase by more 20 percent in 2018[1]. Recent research indicates that eCommerce Market in Australia in Asia-Pacific is the second largest online population[2] . With a very stable economy and close proximity to China, US and Japan, the market will grow to surpass over $20 billion in 2018.
Currently, over 60 percent Australian online buyers shop across borders from China, U.K. and U.S using popular payment methods such as credit and debit cards[3] . Freelancing has also skyrocketed globally allowing anyone to work from anywhere. Many people are working and providing their services, skills and expertise via the Internet. According to study conducted by Intuit, approximately 40 percent of American workers will become freelancers by 2020[4]. This report is based on an e-commerce business to business model. The researcher has identified to accounting services companies in Australia. The aim is to compare and analysis how they use the B2B ecommerce model.
E-commerce Models
E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services via the Internet[5]. E-commerce can be implemented using several models including business to other businesses in a mechanism referred to as Business to Business(B2B), from businesses to customers or clients in Business to Consumers (B2C) model or Peer to Peer(P2P) model where consumers sell to other consumers[6]. For any e-commerce site, it is important to provide users with a user- friendly platform such as a website, blog, social networking platform where users can find information about your company as well as all the necessary information about your goods and services.
The ecommerce site is also supposed to have user centered design so that users can easily navigate and locate information they are searching for. If an e-commerce platform is difficult to use and navigate, users get frustrated and end up leaving the site to look for another one. In such a case, the business losses a potential customer or client and the customer may waste a lot of time searching for a product or service. One of the most important things to post on an e-commerce website is a contacts page so such a potential customers can call in case they are stuck or they may need more information about products and services.
Business to Business Model
- The selected model is Business to Business (B2B) model. The selected websites are
- High Numbers – taxation and accounting services provider in Australia. High Numbers is a registered tax agency, and a business advisor with highly professional accountants
[3] . Ibid
[4] . Jeremy Neuner, 40% of America’s workforce will be freelancers by 2020
[5] . Investopedia, what is e-commerce?
[6] . Shelby Larson, 3 Types of Ecommerce Business Models
- BDO Australia – provided outsourced accounting services such as taxing, audit and insurance, integrated reporting, book keeping and advisory for businesses in Australia
- Why are the two businesses considered B2B models
- High Numbers is a B2B Model because it provides services to other businesses. According information on the site, the company is a trusted and dependable accounting services advisor and tax consultant for small, medium and large businesses in Australia. High Numbers has offices in both Melbourne and Victoria and boasts of a seasoned team of auditors, CPA holders, tax and business consultants who have experience in accounting, taxation and book keeping services for businesses in all industries. Since they provide their accounting services to other businesses, High Numbers is therefore a Business to Business (B2B) model.
- BDO Australia is also a B2B model because it provides accounting and financial services for businesses in Australia and has numerous branches offering the same services for businesses across the world.
- Business Goals
- High Numbers
The main mission of High Numbers is to provide the highest level of customized accounting and tax planning services for organizations with offices in Melbourne and Victoria. The company’s specific goals include tax, business consultancy, book keeping services and accounting needs. As such, businesses that need to outsource accounting, taxing, bookkeeping as well as other financial related operations can contact them for the same. Business that choose High Numbers are assured of professional services performed by highly skilled staff
- BDO Australia
BDO Australia main goal is to remain an expert in providing services including audit and insurance, tax advisory, business outsourcing, payroll, book keeping, compliance reporting and more. Regardless of the size of your business, BDO claims to have the experience and professionalism that is required to take care of all your accounting, taxing and bookkeeping needs. They have branches in Australia and outside the country so that they can as many businesses as possible.
- Business Model and Processes Assessment for High Numbers
|
High Numbers |
1(Very Poor) |
2 (Poor) |
3 (Inapplicable) |
4 (Good) |
5(Very Good) |
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|
Does the website URL relate to the business name? |
High Numbers is closely connected with accounting and book keeping services since accounting and booking entails all that. |
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How easy is it to find the site website using general search engines including Google, Yahoo, Bing etc. |
You can find High Numbers website with any search engine that you decide to use meaning it has been made possible or compatibility. It doesn’t limit a user to use any kind of search engine out there |
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Does the website provide all the organizational information that a user would require? |
Most of the information that a user would search for is provided through the site |
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Are the requirements to provide a user’s personal or sensitive information appropriate? |
The company provides a channel (email) for users to use to communicate sensitive information. However, there’s no clear info about user data privacy |
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How well does the website reassure users about the security and use of their information? |
Site doesn’t have information on how user data is stored and even secured |
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How well does the website foster user trust in the organization? |
Users can contact the site for any info |
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How well does the website address legal issues associated with the use of the site or engagement in transactions? |
No legal information on site |
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How well does the website provide for the accessibility needs of users? |
The website caters for user by publishing major information required. There’s contact number in case a user want further info |
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How well does the website address the language or cultural needs of users? |
publishes using English |
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Does the website contain all the product information that users could reasonably require? |
Provides info available services |
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Does the website allow all the customization that a user could reasonably expect? |
Site services users according to their scenario and not use standard solutions |
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How well does the website personalize the experience of users? |
Allow solutions customization |
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Does the website identity sufficient channels for user service and support? |
Provides contact information |
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How easy is it to find any information on the website about the organization, their products or services? |
Main products and services have been posted |
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How easy is the information on the website to read? Is the information in appropriate language and does it have sufficient details for most users? |
Information is published using English All the details on services have been provided |
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Is the website easy to navigate when trying to find information on products or services and perform transactions for users? |
Yes, has links to pages that a user wants to visit |
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How appropriate are the website aesthetics such as colours, layout, imagery and fonts for the targeted audience? |
Website design is user friendly but could use some improvement |
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How well does the website foster community amongst users? |
No clear information on community issues |
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How quickly does the website load into your browser and do all website features, link and embedded objects such as files or applets work as intended? |
Quick processing of pages and info on site |
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How well does the website support different web browsers or platforms including mobile phone access? |
supports all major browsers |
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Does the website provide sufficient range of payment options as could be reasonably expected? |
No payment information on site |
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Does the website provide a sufficient range of delivery options as could be reasonably expected? |
No information is provided on services delivery choices |
Business Model and Processes Assessment for BDO Australia
|
Website: BDO Australia
|
1(Very Poor) |
2 (Poor) |
3 (Inapplicable) |
4 (Good) |
5(Very Good) |
|
Does the website URL relate to the business name? |
BDO is not clear to users |
||||
|
How easy is it to find the site website using general search engines including Google, Yahoo, Bing etc. |
site can be found using search engines |
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|
Does the website provide all the organizational information that a user would require? |
Most of the information is provided |
||||
|
Are the requirements to provide a user’s personal or sensitive information appropriate? |
Yes, but not all |
||||
|
How well does the website reassure users about the security and use of their information? |
site has info privacy statement at the footer |
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|
How well does the website foster user trust in the organization? |
using a legal and privacy setting |
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How well does the website address legal issues associated with the use of the site or engagement in transactions? |
Legal policy has been provided at the site footer |
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How well does the website provide for the accessibility needs of users? |
By providing information that a user may need |
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|
How well does the website address the language or cultural needs of users? |
Uses English |
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|
Does the website contain all the product information that users could reasonably require? |
Yes, information about services is provided |
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|
Does the website allow all the customization that a user could reasonably expect? |
Customization info not clear on the site |
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|
How well does the website personalize the experience of users? |
Personalization is not clear |
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|
Does the website identity sufficient channels for user service and support? |
No clear contact information such an phone no. |
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|
How easy is it to find any information on the website about the organization, their products or services? |
Easy to find services information |
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|
How easy is the information on the website to read? Is the information in appropriate language and does it have sufficient details for most users? |
Easy to read and understand |
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|
Is the website easy to navigate when trying to find information on products or services and perform transactions for users? |
Yes, has pages and hyperlinks |
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|
How appropriate are the website aesthetics such as colors, layout, imagery and fonts for the targeted audience? |
no user centered design |
||||
|
How well does the website foster community amongst users? |
Not clear |
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|
How quickly does the website load into your browser and do all website features, link and embedded objects such as files or applets work as intended? |
site has quick response time |
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How well does the website support different web browsers or platforms including mobile phone access? |
site support almost all web browsers |
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Does the website provide sufficient range of payment options as could be reasonably expected? |
No |
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Does the website provide a sufficient range of delivery options as could be reasonably expected? |
No |
- Which website is likely to succeed?
High Numbers website is more likely to succeed compared to BDO Australia. First of all, the name of the company is clearer to a user that the company is providing services that have to do with numbers. A new business requiring accounting and book keeping services, will therefore contact them and not BDO Australia. The name BDO is not very clear what the business does and so a business requiring tax, book keeping, and other accounting services my not likely contact them. Additionally, High Numbers site is more user friendly. The contact number is placed on top of the site so that both new and repeat customers, and visitors can easily find it in case they want information on any information not published on the site yet.
Ksenia, Dobreva. “Global e-commerce trends and statistics”, Amasty Blog . January 29, 2018.
Frederick, Jaz. “Australia ecommerce market”, June 10, 2016,
Jeremy, Neuner. “40% of America’s workforce will be freelancers by 2020”, March 20 2013,
Investopedia. “What is e-commerce?”
Shelby, Larson. “3 Types of Ecommerce Business Models”, May 25 2016,
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