Page 229 - Business Principles and Management

Unit 3

sales in the United States are expected to reach $200 billion by 2010. Some
experts say even that estimate is low.

CHECKPOINT

List six current Internet business statistics.

Business Uses of the Internet

In the opening scenario, Turan didn’t believe the Internet was useful for his
photography business. Like many of us, he was considering only the ways
he could sell his products using the Web and not the many other uses of the
Internet. The use of the Internet for selling products is important, but busi-
nesses can benefit from this new tool in many other ways. These uses include
communications, information gathering, and improving business operations.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Businesses use the Internet most for communication, both within and outside
the company. Most internal communications on the Internet are transmitted via
e-mail. But new tools are available to assist with communications, including VoIP,
or Voice over Internet Protocol (using the Internet for telephone services), video-
phones, and software that allows several people to share application software and
collaborate using text and graphics tools while sitting at their computers. Using
the Internet, a company can post an employee newsletter online. This speeds the
information to all employees while reducing mailing and distribution costs.
For what purpose do busi- Employees can quickly send reports, memos, and other information to coworkers.
nesses use the Internet most Companies use the Internet to communicate with current and potential cus-
frequently? tomers. The Internet has become an important way to provide information about
the company and its products to customers. Remember in the chapter-opening
story that when Turan was searching for information on
photographers, he quickly located the Web sites of three
of his local competitors. As customers try to find specific
products and businesses, they are increasingly turning to
the Internet. Even those who use telephone directories
to identify businesses frequently want more information
than is typically included in a directory advertisement.
By using the Internet, a customer can often obtain prod-
uct descriptions, determine the days and hours a busi-
ness is open, and even print a map showing the location
of the business. Today, if a business has not posted infor-
PHOTO: © GETTY IMAGES/PHOTODISC. Internet. Businesspeople send e-mail messages, exchange
mation about its location, products, and services on the
Internet, it will likely miss some customers.
Businesses also communicate with each other via the

documents, and sell their company’s products and ser-
vices to other businesses. Common business-to-business
services offered via the Internet include online training,

nel records, and data processing.

216 financial planning and accounting, maintaining person-