Internet on Modern Business

Through the internet, a business of any size can compete in the global marketplace. In fact, on the internet, the size of an organization's operation makes little difference because the internet is an open environment.

Use of the internet has exploded during the last few years in both the consumer and business-to-business markets. Although the experts still debate the future of the internet, no one doubts it is having an impact on how business is taking place in the twenty 'first century, even with all of the - - dot crashes - - of the late 1990s.

Some facts about the internet that presence in society:

- The most common products consumers' research online and purchase off-line (at the store or outlet) are: automobiles, computer, hardware, travel, electronics, books, appliances, music, sporting goods and clothing.

- Over 25 percent of all business-to-business purchases are placed through some type of internet connection.

- The five top business-to-business e-commerce products are computers and electronics, motor vehicles, petrochemicals, utilities, papers and office products.

- In 2004, 10 percent of business-to-business advertising dollars were spent on the internet. The total amount spent was $8.7 billion.

- About 54 percent of the e-mail users have responded to an e-mail advertisement. Almost half purchased a product.

- Internet retail sales account for almost 2.5 percent of all retail sales.

To conclude, the influence of the internet on various businesses and industries has been clearly noted in today's world. The presence of the internet and e-commerce is so sweeping that the various applications of web technology are now essential elements of a fully integrated marketing communications program.