The History and evolution of e-commerce

Internet shopping is the most popular activities especially during the busy holiday season. It is also easy yet convenient because you can shop anytime you want. Through search engine shopping services, it is possible to find the lowest prices for any product that you want and your product will be delivered right to your door step. Every year the numbers of online holiday sales rise to higher and higher levels.

E-commerce began before personal computers were prevalent and has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. In year 1984, EDI, or electronic data interchange, was standardized through ASC X12. This guaranteed that companies would be able to complete transactions with one another reliably. In 1992, the CompuServe offers online retail products to its customers which give people the first chance to buy things off their computer. While in year 1994, Netscape arrived and it provides users with a simple browser to surf the Internet. It is a safe online transaction technology which called Secure Sockets Layer. Then in year 1995, the two biggest names which are Amazon.com and eBay.com in e-commerce were launched. In year 1998, DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line provides fast, always-on Internet service to subscribers across California. This prompts people to spend more time, and money, online. In year 1999, according to Business.com, retail spending over the Internet reaches $20 billion.

Furthermore, in year 2000, the U.S government extended the moratorium on Internet taxes until at least 2005. In year 2007, fortune magazine have ranked Dell as the 34th largest company in the Fortune 500 list and 8th on its annual Top 20 list of the most successful and admired companies in the USA in recognition of the company’s business model. Besides that, Amazon Payments has announced the launch of a promotion for online merchants and integration with 25 leading shopping cart and ecommerce solution providers. Moreover, Amazon Payments has declared a free payment-processing promotion through September 30, 2009. In order to participate in the program the businesses and organizations have to have begun accepting Amazon Payments using Checkout by Amazon and Amazon Simple Pay on or after April 29, 2009.

The growth of Internet has a special significance in the growth of e-commerce. It has the potential to involve general people into the process, thereby increasing its reach far beyond large companies.