Considerations in Selecting a Web Host

Hosts compared using point system
Host should allow DBMS
Dynamic Web pages: enable communication between browser and database
Storage space factor
Technical support
Fees for Web traffic
Scalability

Factors to consider when selecting Web host
Help with page design
Security
Availability
Minimize downtime
Cost
Setup fee
Monthly fee

Several elements essential to business
Inquiry interface
Connected to database
Credit-card application
Verifies authenticity
Order-fulfillment system

Web-enabled business classified according to interacting parties
Business-to-business
Business-to-consumer
Government-to-business
Government-to-consumer

B2B forms
Advertising
Search engines: advertise through search site
Banners: images placed on Web site
Impression: page with banner downloaded
Reach percentage: percentage of Web users who visited site
Exchanges and auctions
Act as online marketplace
Online business alliances: collaboration between businesses

E-Tailing
Shopping on the Web
Fulfillment activities
Picking
Packing
Shipping
Consumer profiling: know customers better
Conversion rate: proportion of site visitors who make purchase
Auctions and reverse auctions
Site serves as auction hub
Name your own price at reverse auction

Content providers
Information
Art
Classified Ads
Bill presentment and payment
Phishing: type of fraud
Dispersed workforce
Purchase labor from larger pool
M-commerce
Business conducted on mobile devices

Supply chain management on Web
Extensive use of XML
Set standards for data formats
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system used prior to Web
Suppliers can join company extranets