Home Business Shopping Online – Purchasing goods and services using the Internet

What can you use to buy online? 1.A Computer 2.TV / Digital Set top box 3.Mobile phone / Wi-Fi Device (e.g. iPod) 4.RFID in-house technology (e.g. RFID Fridge). 5.Smart Phone (e.g. Apple iPhone, HTC devices). 6.Net-book 7.Consoles (X-Box etc). 8.Touch-screen terminals (e.g. whilst waiting for a train etc)

Buying Online (some examples)

Finding goods/services When you are looking for products or services on a website you are actually searching a database. Online stores have online databases of the goods/services they offer, with information such as photos, reviews and prices You can either usually browse for goods using a menu system, search box, hyperlink or hotspots

What happens at the checkout? Do people just checkout with charging? What normally happens? 1.Users login with a username and password (verification!) 2.If they have never used the site, they may need to REGISTER. 3.They then enter their card and billing details and confirm the amount. The process is the same when booking for things online too.

Things to be cautious of? What should you check before entering personal details? 1.Is it a secure site (HTTPS, Padlock). 2.Read some reviews about the site before buying. 3.Are there contact details (address, phone number). 4.Is the address authentic? 5.Does it have a company address and not a free-to-use (Hotmail, Gmail etc). 6.How are you paying? Does it accept PayPal or Credit card (you can be more protected paying with these). 7.Can you search for the site and read about it?

What are the Advantages to the customer?

Advantages to the online shops Disadvantages to online shops

Booking Systems Advantages to the customer

Disadvantages to the customer