Web-based E-commerce
Question:
You are required to write a report on the critical evaluation of 10 Websites in 5 given groups types of e-commerce for a Business Manager.
The e-commerce websites are increasing at an incredible rate. These online websites are not restricted by the geographical boundaries. Shopping enthusiast are buying goods at their convenience. In spite of these advantages some of the e-commerce websites are performing poorly failing on the primary ground. There are certain pitfalls that are causing hindrance to the online websites. In order to increase the usability it is essential to deploy an effective Electronic commerce system (Jilani, 2017; Chaffey, 2015). The report critically evaluates 10 websites divided into 5 groups. Web based e-commerce provides companies with a global reach in a less expensive budget. In the recent time, the amount of web based transactions has increased creating necessity for a hardcore system. A better electronic commerce system will meet users based need. This report evaluates process of developing an effective e-commerce website (Einav, et al 2014). It further assesses several theoretical models from web based transaction, online user’s satisfaction and various web evaluation literatures. This will help in managing the E-commerce website quality, success of the business e-commerce undertaking. Consequently, to set up the quality of e-commerce websites, it is essential to utilise a model that adopts a qualitative, methodical and repeatable approach to e-commerce (Spencer, 2015).
Electronic tailing is the sale of goods and services through the internet. Electronic tailing include business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales of products and services. The business is done through subscriptions to website content, or advertising. E-tailing necessitates businesses to tailor conventional business models to the speedily altering face of the internet and its users. Success of e-tailing depends upon strong branding, regular updates and meeting up with the changing customer needs. Products and services should stand out from the competition in order to add value to consumers. E-tailers use strong distribution efficiency to develop transparency (Laudon and Traverl, 2013; Da Costa, 2016).
Co-op Limited
https://www.coop.com.au/
The Co-op is one of the largest Australia’s Official suppliers of textbooks, educational, development and learning resources.
Strength
They provide with quality textbooks with a broad spectrum of university subjects, TAFE courses and study material of distinguished learning institutions. They supply different range offers that include nursing, law and business, engineering and psychology (Coop.2017).
Weakness
The website has restricted features and items variance available for the customers.
Umart Online
Pitfalls of E-commerce Websites
https://www.umart.com.au/newsite/
Umart Online is Australia’s largest computer store chain headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland.
Strength
It was founded in June 2000 and recognized as one of the most admired computer retailers by PC User magazine (Umart, 2017).
Weakness
Boring user interface
Evaluation criteria
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Evaluation criteria |
Co-op |
Umart Online |
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Yes, Co-op is providing with a wide range of products as promised (Chen, et al 2015). Though there are certain levels of possibilities to enhance the level of information. |
The website is providing with a wide range computer range to its customers at a discounted price. There are certain features where the customers can add on features according to their requirements. |
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The website is user friendly and attractive enough to engage users. The details of product are been given on the profile. |
The product related specification is been given under different heads. Users have an option to read the feedback. |
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The search option at the top gives a smooth shopping experience. |
Key word option at the top provides customers with a smooth shopping experience. |
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They enjoy monopoly in terms of their wide range of product availability. |
There is other competitor like Harvey Norman. It is one of the most trustworthy brands in Australia. |
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Exit getaway is user friendly. Shipping facility is available to almost every state. |
Shipping facility is user friendly and trustable. |
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A wide range of Payment options are available for the customers. website claim free delivery on all orders over $50 |
The website do not provide with any minimum buying limit for the customers. |
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Yes, users have an option to review the product |
Yes, U-mart provides with an option to review the product |
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User friendly in terms of navigation |
Customers find it attractive and easily navigable. |
|
Co-op is famous for its uniqueness in terms of educational information. They have restricted themselves to educational products. |
Provides with a wide range of computer electronic goods to the customers. |
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Customers can enter information according to their requirements. |
Product availability depends upon the supplier in the city. |
Recommendations: Co-op can add with effective features to add more users. In this way the company can add more features to their profile; Whereas Umart can work on providing a user friendly interface.
Content provider manages access to the central repository. They are primarily intended to be used with the other applications by using the client object. Together they provide with a standard interface to handle data in a secured way. These websites are basically providing with a vast content to the readers.
The Northern Star
https://www.northernstar.com.au/
The Northern Star is a daily online newspaper providing with relevant day-to-day information. The newspaper is owned by APN News & Media.
Strength
Readers can find information related to the current affairs (Northernstar. 2017).
Weakness
User interface is similar to that of the other online news platform.
Advancing Computing as a Science & Profession
https://www.acm.org/
ACM is world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, delivering resources related to advance computing and science.
Strength
It provides with a premier Digital Library and serves its members with innovative publications, conference, and career possessions (Advancing Computing as a Science & Profession. 2017).
Weakness
Limited information
Evaluation criteria
|
Evaluation criteria |
NorthernStar |
Advancing Computing as a Science & Profession |
|
The website is owned by Northern Star Ltd. It is providing with day –to-day information to the readers |
The website is providing with a wide range educational and scientific data, delivering resources related to advance computing and science. The website is owned by ACM, Inc |
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The website is user friendly and allows readers to read day-today local and international news. |
The website is providing with an advance computing and science |
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The search option at the top gives a smooth surfing experience. |
Key word option at the top provides readers to find information related to science and technology. |
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Excessive competition from other online content related websites. |
Enjoy monopoly in terms of content specified information. |
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Covers vast section |
Limited section related to science and technology |
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The objective is to provide readers with relevant information |
The website provide readers with a premier Digital Library |
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Yes, data is accurate in terms of knowledge related information. |
Yes, the website provides with 100 percent accurate data through its digital library. The users can access the data through the library. |
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User friendly in terms of navigation |
Users find it attractive and easily navigable. |
|
Northern star is famous for its uniqueness in terms of information. The wide range of information provided by them add a unique feature |
Provides with a wide range of knowledge based information. |
|
Readers can get content related information according to their requirements. |
Information related to science and technology is available as per the requirements. |
Recommendations: Northerstar should work on providing a unique user friendly interface. In This way they will be able to compete against others: whereas Advancing Computing as a Science & Profession should add on other unique features.
Community provider is a forum that provides users with a particular type of information. The users with a similar interest can join the forum for discussing any idea. These forums are important from the point of view of sharing knowledge based information. The forum is important to meet the problem that an individual come across while discussing issues.
Whirlpool
https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/
Whirlpool is an independent Australian website founded in 1998. They have significant range of registered account that range to 700,000.
Strength
It is primarily a discussion forum solving extra functionality such as broadband and related areas (Whirlpool.2017).
Weakness
Restricted information and reach
Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/about/
Meetup brings people with a similar interest living in different cities together to do more of what they want to do in life. The organization is based on the unique concept of doing things in better manner.
Process of Developing Effective E-commerce Websites
Strength
It brings community together to do, discover, teach and learn the things that help them to explore (About Meetup. 2017).
Weakness
Still has a limited reach to people
Evaluation criteria
|
Evaluation criteria |
Whirlpool |
Meetup |
||
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The website is owned by whirlpool group. It is an online forum for meeting broadband related issues. |
Meetup is a unique concept that permits users to discover themselves. The company is owned by group of people synchronizing unique concept. |
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The website is user friendly and allows users to resolve common issues. |
The website is providing with unique business solution |
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The search option allows users surfing experience. |
Impressive and attractive user friendly interface. |
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Extreme competition from other online websites. |
Enjoy monopoly in terms of content concept. |
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Covers vast section in broadband range |
Vast pool of option with unique specifications |
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The objective is to provide relevant information and a wide discussion forum |
The website provide users to share a unique ideas |
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Yes, data is accurate in provisos of knowledge |
Yes. The data is well and accurate. |
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User friendly in terms of navigation |
Users find it attractive and easily navigable. |
||
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Whirlpool is famous for its uniqueness in terms of information. |
Unique functionality Provides with a wide range of support. |
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Based on relevant concept but a limited range data |
a unique concept for the users |
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Recommendations: Whirlpools should create an attractive user interface; whereas Meetup should work on updating the content on their website
The objective of a market creator is to Build digital environment where buyer and seller can meet, search for product, display products and establish prices for those products. The overall purpose of Market creator is to serve B2B and B2C. This help in generating revenues from transaction fees (Barnes and Hunt, 2013).
GraysOnline
https://www.graysonline.com/aboutus/default.aspx
GraysOnline is one of the largest industrial and commercial online auction businesses in Australasia. The company is offering with a huge range of engineering, consumer and commercial goods, direct from manufacturers.
Strength
They offer buyers with a great value and convenience to unlock price from their assets. Their online platform and commitment is to provide first-class customer service to make buying and selling simple, well-organized, and fair and clear (GraysOnline.2017).
Weakness
Excessive competition
Alibaba
https://www.alibaba.com/
Alibaba was launched in 1999 as Alibaba.com. It provides with a leading platform for global wholesale trade.
Strength
They are currently serving millions of buyers and suppliers around the world. Their mission is to give suppliers with efficient tools in order to reach a global audience for their products. They are also helping buyers to find products and suppliers rapidly and professionally. The website brings hundreds of millions of products in over 40 different categories, together with consumer electronics, machinery and apparel (Alibaba.2017).
Weakness
Difficulty in coordinating with the suppliers
Evaluation criteria
|
Evaluation criteria |
Grays(ONLINE) |
Alibaba |
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The website is owned by GraysOnline group. The company is offering with a huge range of engineering, consumer and commercial goods, direct from manufacturers. |
Alibaba is a leading platform for global wholesale trade. They are currently serving millions of buyers and suppliers around the world. |
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The website is user friendly and allows users to buy goods directly from the manufacturer. |
The website is world’s famous goods provider with a wide range of options |
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The search option at the top gives a smooth surfing experience. |
Key word option at the top provides buyers to buy goods of their choice |
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Excessive competition from other websites. |
Enjoy monopoly in terms of wideness. |
|
Covers vast section |
Covers a huge section by managing good relations with manufactures. |
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The objective is to provide all sort of goods at a cheap price |
One stop solution for all buyers. |
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Yes, information is accurate |
Yes, the website provides with accurate information for the buyers and sellers |
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User friendly in terms of navigation |
Users find it attractive and easily navigable. |
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Unique profile for the |
Provides with a wide range of products based information. |
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Users can shop according to their requirements. |
portal providing users with a wider option range |
Recommendations: GraysOnline should improve its reach that will help in competing against others whereas Alibaba need to work on building strong relationship with the local supplier in order to precede quick delivery.
Transaction Broker is the newest form of business transaction that has grown exponentially since the start of the 21st century. A transaction broker is to help both the buyer and the seller through negotiation. The broker earns commission by doing sales transactions (Strauss, 2016).
Webjet limited
https://www.webjet.com.au
Webjet limited is a travel booking website offering flights, hotels, holiday packages, cruises, car hire etc. The company is currently operating in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Singapore and Hong Kong (Webjet. 2017).
Strength
One stop solution for travel needs
Weakness
Excess competition
Ticketmaster
https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/
Ticketmaster is an online ticket sales and distribution company working in many countries around the world.
Theoretical Models for Web-based Transactions
Strength
The Website has diversified into various booking functions. It is providing with a range of different services in order to provide with a one stop solution (Ticketmaster. 2017).
Weakness
Limited range of offers
Evaluation criteria
|
Evaluation criteria |
Webjet limited |
Ticketmaster |
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The website is owned by Webjet limited. It is providing booking services. |
Ticketmaster providing with an ticket sales and distribution company working in many countries around the world. |
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The website is user friendly and allows users to book tickets through a simple getaway |
The website is providing with a range of different services in order to provide with a one stop solution. |
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The search option at the top gives a smooth surfing experience. |
Key word option at the top provides smooth surfing experience |
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Excessive competition from other websites. |
Excess competition from other organizations |
|
Covers vast section |
Covers vast section in term of ticketing services |
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The objective is to provide users with an excellent experience |
The website provide with an easy solution |
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Yes, data is accurate |
Yes, the website provides users with an effective solution |
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User friendly in terms of navigation |
Users find it attractive and easily navigable. |
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The broad range of information provided by them add a unique feature |
Provides with a wide range of knowledge based information. |
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Users can book their requirement from the one place |
A wide international platform for the users. |
Recommendations: Webjet should work on developing an attractive support system to promote customer interest whereas Ticketmaster need to work on the local needs of the customers.
Conclusion
To conclude, in the recent time E-commerce has gained advantage in the local as well as international market. Success of e- commerce depends upon strong branding, regular updates and meeting up with the changing customer needs. Products and services should stand out from the competition in order to add value to consumers. In order to meet up with the expectation it is necessary to critically evaluate the parameters like: objectivity, relevance, accuracy, purpose etc. There are sure pitfalls that are hindering the online websites. In order to increase the usability it is necessary to organize an effective Electronic commerce system to develop an attractive user friendly interface.
References
About Meetup. (2017).(ONLINE). Available at: https://www.meetup.com/about/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Advancing Computing as a Science & Profession. (2017).(ONLINE) Available at: https://www.acm.org/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Alibaba.(2017). (Online). Available at: https://www.alibaba.com/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Barnes, S. and Hunt, B. eds., 2013. E-commerce and v-business. Routledge.
Chaffey, D., 2015. Digital business and E-commerce management. Pearson Education Limited.
Chen, J.V., Yen, D.C., Pornpriphet, W. and Widjaja, A.E., (2015). E-commerce web site loyalty: A cross cultural comparison. Information Systems Frontiers, 17(6), pp.1283-1299.
Coop.2017. Online. Available at: https://www.coop.com.au/ Accessed on: 10 August 2017
Da Costa, E., (2016). Global e-commerce strategies for small businesses. Mit Press.
Einav, L., Levin, J., Popov, I. and Sundaresan, N., (2014). Growth, adoption, and use of mobile E-commerce. The American economic review, 104(5), pp.489-494.
GraysOnline. . (2017). (Online). Available at: https://www.graysonline.com/aboutus/default.aspx Accessed on: 10 August 2017
Jilani, A.W., (2017. Usage and Effectiveness of E-Commerce Tool among Business-To-Consumer. International Journal of Engineering Science, 12086.
Laudon, K.C. and Traver, C.G., 2013. E-commerce. Pearson.
Northernstar. (2017). (Online). Available at: https://www.northernstar.com.au/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Spencer, S.B., (2015). Privacy and Predictive Analytics in E-Commerce.
Strauss, J., (2016). E-marketing. Routledge.
Ticketmaster. (2017).( Online). Available at: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Umart, (2017). (Online). Available at: https://www.umart.com.au/newsite/index.php (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Webjet. (2017).( Online). Available at: https://www.webjet.com.au/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
Whirlpool.2017. (Online). Available at: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/ (Accessed on: 10 August 2017)
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