FREE ESSAY ON BUSINESS AND THE INTERNET

BUSINESS AND THE INTERNET

Business is any activity that seeks profit by providing needed goods and services to
others. The nature of providing these goods and services has changed drastically
throughout the history of time. During the last thirty years of business activity, there
has been new ways and means of conducting business through something we call technology.
Technology is the advancement and uses of electronic devices and other high-tech
equipment to produce and progress knowledge into the future. Today, in 1998, the number
one technique of tying business into technology would be the use of the Internet. The
Internet is a computer application that connects tens of thousands of interconnected
computer networks that include 1.7 million host computers around the world. The basis of
connecting all these computers together is by the use of ordinary telephone wires. Users
are then directly joined to other computer users at there own will for a small connection
fee per month. The connection conveniently includes unlimited access to over a million
web sites twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 
Since the Internet can be accessed by millions of people all time, it would be a great
incentive for businesses. The Internet can help businesses in number of extraordinary
ways. First, the Internet is an excellent way to make business information available to
possible consumers. Say a person hears about a product that your business produces and
would like to know more information about that product. Well, through Internet access,
that person can easily locate your business web site and browse through the information
needed. Included in the web site found, there could be many documents, pictures, small
movie flicks, and unique question and answer sections available. All of this can be
gathered in the convenience of a person's home, twenty-four hours a day. A business can
be very pleased with the amount of information they can readily have available to publish
to the entire world.
If the consumers are satisfied with a particular product with all the public information
made available, why not make a product or service obtainable through the use of the
Internet. Well, many companies use that method of distribution right now. The Internet
can sell products on-line very effectively. It is just as simple as making a selection at
a regular store, only you are using the computer and probably using a credit card as the
method of payment. Depending on how developed and advanced the companies web site is;
customer service may be available to help some customers with expert advice. Or, it could
just make them feel comfortable.
Another plus about the use of the Internet is that most of the time it is user friendly
and all of the time cost effective. The term user friendly refers to making the use of
the system untroubled and easy to understand. Making the computer web site user friendly
could greatly encourage the user to continue to absorb the available information. Having
resources like big bold titles and pictures would increase the appearance to the viewer.
Simple order forms and instructions should be made clear. A messy and complicated web
site could turn the user off and make them unhappy with the services provided. Even with
the hundred of services available, one thing is for sure that it is very cost effective.
Providing web sites over the Internet is far more cheaper than advertising in magazines,
on the radio, or on television. In addition, web sites may be modified with current
changes within a company at any time. Therefore, most of the information tied into the
web site is currently up-to-date and very competitive. 
Making business information available is one of the most important ways to serve your
customers. By using the Internet, the customers can feel at ease with the information
given to them. They can scroll through what they want to know and quickly bypass useless
information at there own speed. There is no pressure on the customer to continue they may
even take a break or a short pause whenever they feel it is necessary. Because the
Internet is entirely at the touch of your own fingers, it can make customers and even
browsers feel very comfortable. If that does not bring connivance to the users, the
twenty-four hour service of availability should accommodate them even more. 
Some consumers could say they would rather stay home all day and do all of their business
with the Internet. Well, today all that is possible. No driving around from store to
store and no negotiating with pesky salesmen would greatly help some. Technology today
can deliver business to us and not make us travel to businesses. Another benefit of using
the Internet would be the chance of curious people coming across your web site that did
not know it existed or the existence of the products and services you are advertising.
There are millions of people out there that are constantly stumbling on and across new
sites, products, and services.
The Internet is a fun and exciting way for consumers to learn and review more about a
product or company. Like I mentioned before, many documents may be included with 3D
graphics and sound. There are many clever and imaginative ways and ideas that can be
expressed. Web sites pertaining to children can come across in a more colorful approach,
while material directed toward on older generation can be presented in another
perspective. Whether targeting a younger or older audience, the outcome of the results
gathered can be phenomenal.
In conclusion, the Internet has numerous advantages and advances for preparing a
business. The Internet can connect consumers with valuable information about a product.
The Internet can also possibly retail specific products to consumers online. And the
Internet is user friendly and cost effective. The Internet can give useful information to
consumers whenever they are interested. And the brightest aspect of all is that it is the
most exciting way to learn more about a product or service. So as you can see, The
Internet can help businesses just as well as customers. The amount of information that
can be gathered from the Internet is infinite. The Internet is an information super
highway. As far as the negative aspects are concerned, I believe that there are few to
none. The Internet is a positive, extraordinary growing market for businesses and
services. As we head into the future, technology will bring more excellent and exciting
advancements into the business world.