The Marketing Strategies Adopted By Companies

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

BY COMPANIES INVOLVED IN

E-COMMERCE

Surveys and questionnaires are the most popular and frequently used market research tools. Using a survey instrument which is a list of questions, researchers can approach groups of people to ask their views on virtually any imaginable topic. Online surveys can be typically being administered more quickly and less expensively than traditional mail or telephone surveys. Companies can hire an outside market research firm to conduct the survey or create and administer their own. Online surveys also make it possible to track respondents and follow up with those who haven’t yet completed survey, which help to improve response rates, the percentage of people who complete a survey. A low response rate can damage the validity, or believability, of a survey’s results. Feedback forms, which ask users to provide input regarding a site’s operations in a set format, are another type of inline survey. Requesting regular input from site visitors may provide more qualitative data, which is more difficult to analyze, but the resulting information can assist in improving and enhancing site performance. Personal interviews are another primary research tool. The interview is generally guided by a set of questions very similar to survey instrument. Although it is more difficult to incorporate personal interviews within Web sites, it is possible to conduct research online via live chat or e-mail, with trained researcher interacting with the study participant’s .Personal interviews offer an opportunity to gather more in-depth information on a topic. In some cases, personal interviews are used as second phase of a research project, following initial information gathering by survey.

Secondary Research

It involves gathering information using WEB sites as the information source. The Key to being efficient and effective as a researcher is identifying the WEB sites most likely to provide answers to the questions posed in the research .By establishing and agreeing on the key question to be answered through market research , as well as why that information will be useful , researchers can zero in on their information needs. Understanding how the information will impact other decisions also helps to further refine information collection.

E-COMMERCE: INTRODUCTION

Business has been looking for ways to increase their profits and market share. The search for more efficient ways to carry out business activities has been driving another revolution in the world of business .This inovation is known as electronic commerce. Any purchase or sale of goods through an electronic communications medium. They see electronic commerce as a "wave of future". One of the most visible inovation of the IT Revolution is the internet – the world wide web. Which is a big network of computers worldwide, which is essentially used for communication, interaction, interactive long distance computing and exchange of information. Electronic commerce exists because of the internet. It has born on the internet and is developing with the internet. It involves carrying business activities on and through the internet. Electronic commerce is a product of the economy with digitalization. Electronic commerce is a symbolic integration of communications, data management, and security capabilities to allow business applications within organizations to exchange information related to the sale of goods and services. Communication support the transfer of information from the originator to the recipient.

E-COMMERCE DEFINED:-

"Electronic commerce is commerce through any electronic media, such as TV, fax, and online networks. Internet-based commerce makes use of any Internet facility and service ie sale and purchase of any goods and services with the help of any electronic devise is called e-commerce.

BENEFITS/FEATURES OF E-COMMERCE:-

Electronic commerce increases the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of business and personal transactions. The benefits of E-commerce include the following:•Ubiquity:

Electronic commerce is omnipresent, which means that it's obtainable everyplace all times. It offers a plus to the market from being restricted to a physical area and makes it doable for the customers to buy from their desktop, at home, at work, or maybe from your automobile victimization mobile device. From client purposeof read, presence reduces group action prices – this sort of value happens so as to participate in a verymarket. For any quite group action it's now not necessary for the patron to pay time travel to the market. Thepresence of e-commerce conjointly provides a mental relief whereas concluding any group action 

• Global Reach:

Electronic commerce technology permits business transactions to so much overseas and national boundariesadditional handily and is value effective than any ancient approach of mercantilism. As a result, the potential market size for e-commerce merchants is sort of adequate the scale of the world’s on-line population. the fullrange of users or customers associate e-commerce business will get depends upon the reach of the business through that it communicate with the patron.

• Richness:

Information richness refers to the quality and content of a message.

• Universal Standards: 

The standards technically correct to conduct e-commerce area unit Universal standards – they're shared by all nations round the world. The universal technical standards of e-commerce greatly lower the market entry prices.the value merchants should pay simply to bring their merchandise to plug. This conjointly reduces the searchvalue on the aspect of client. 

• Interactivity:

Electronic commerce technologies area unit abundantly interactive and offers the patron a additional simplyaccessible marketplace, which means they permit for two-way communication between bourgeois and client .Itpermits the bourgeois to have interaction a client in ways that the same as a face-to face communicationhowever on a way additional large international scale.

• Information Density:

The internet and also the internet has large data density –the total quantity and quality of data obtainable to all or any market participants, consumers, and merchants area unit same. Electronic commerce technologies cut back data assortment, storage, processing, and communication prices .At a similar time; these technologies increase greatly, the accuracy and timeliness of data-making information additional helpful and necessary than ever. As a result data becomes additional plentiful, cheaper and of upper quality.

Types of E-Commerce:

There area unit varieties|differing types|differing kinds} of e-commerce and lots of alternative ways to characterize these types.

The 5 major forms of e-commerce are:

1. B2C

2. B2B

3. C2C

4. P2P

5. M-Commerce

• B2C (Business-to-Consumer):The most typically mentioned style of e-commerce is Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce, during which on-line business conceive to reach individual customers. it's unfold widesince 1995, and this is often the kind of electronic commerce that the majority customers area unit possibleto face. 

• B2B (Business-to-Business): during this style of e-commerce, one business focuses on mercantilism todifferent business . the last word size of B2B e-commerce may be vast. At first, B2B e-commerce primarilyconcerned inter-business exchanges, however variety of different B2B business models have developed widening the utilization of electronic commerce. it's the most important variety of e-commerce.

• C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): e-commerce provides how for customers to sell things to every different withthe assistance of a web market maker like the auction website .In C2C e-commerce, the patron prepares the merchandise for market and places the merchandise for auction or sale and depends upon the market maker to supply catalogue, programme, and group action clearing capabilities in order that customers will simplydiscover and obtain the merchandise.

• P2P (Peer-to-Peer): Peer-to-Peer technology allows web users to share files on pcs and computer resources directlywhile not inquiring any central internet server. In peer-to-peer’s purest type, no go-between is needed. 

• M-commerce: Mobile commerce or m-commerce refers to the sale and buy of products and services or any product with the assistance of wireless device. These area unit devices that need networks to attach cell phones and wireless hand-held devices to the online. Once they're connected, mobile customers will do many sortsof transactions, together with stock trades, banking, travel reservations, and lots of additional.

• B2G (Business to Government): E-Commerce business model could be a set of planned activities designed to result to a profit in a very marketplace. The business model is at the centre of the business arrange. A businessarrange could be a document that describes however the activities area unit dole out to run a business or what all things have to be compelled to be thought of bfoe creating any call. Any business concerned in electronic commerce aims to use the distinctive qualities of the web and also the World Wide internet.

Key business ideas and techniques applicable to e-commerce:

•Industry structure : the character of players in associate trade and their relative dialogue power – by dynamicalthe idea of competition among rivals , the barriers to entry , the threat of latest substitute product , the strength of suppliers , and also the dialogue power of consumers.

•Industry price chains: The set of activities performed in associate trade by suppliers, makers, transporters, distributors and retailers that transforms raw inputs into final product and services – by reducing the value of dataand different group action prices.

•Firm price chains: The set of activities performed at intervals a personal firm to form final product from raw inputs – by increasing operational potency.

•Business strategy: a group of plans for achieving superior semipermanent returns on the capital invested with in a very firm – by providing distinctive ways that to differentiate product, get value benefits, vie globally, orvie in a very slim market or product section.

E-Commerce Security surroundings

It is troublesome to estimate the particular quantity of e-commerce crime for a range of reasons. In severalinstances, e-commerce crimes don't seem to be reported as a result of firms concern of losing the trust of legitimate customers. And even once crimes area unit reported , it should be arduous to quantify the losses incurred .The most serious losses concerned thieving of proprietary data and money fraud. on-line mastercardfraud is probably the foremost status variety of e-commerce crime. In some cases, the criminals aim to simplydeface, vandalise and/or disrupt an internet website, instead of steal merchandise or services. the value of such associate attack includes not solely the time and energy to create repairs to the location howeverconjointly injury done to the site’s name and image in addition as revenues lost as a results of the attack. Estimates of the general value of the assorted styles of cyber shenanigan vary into billions.

What is sensible E-Commerce Security?

What is a secure business transaction? Anytime a user goes into a market place , he/she takes risks, together withthe loss of privacy (information regarding what you purchased).The prime risk as a client is that you just don'tget what you obtained. As a bourgeois within the market, you don’t get obtained what you sell, Thieves take merchandise so either walks off while not paying something, or pay you with a dishonorable instrument,purloined mastercard, or cast currency. Burglary, breaking and getting into, defalcation, trespass, malicious destruction, shenanigan – all crimes in ancient business surroundings – is additionally gift in e-commerce. However, reducing risks in e-commerce could be a complicated method that involves new technologies,structure policies and procedures, and new laws and trade standards that empower enforcement officers to research and prosecute offenders.

Security Threats within the E-Commerce Environment:

From the technology perspective, there area unit 3 key points of vulnerability once addressing e-commerce: theshopper, the server and also the communication pipeline.

Malicious Code

It includes a range of threats like viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and "bad applets". a pestilence could be amalicious program that has the flexibility to duplicate or create copies of it, and unfold to different files.additionally to the flexibility to duplicate, most pc viruses deliver a "payload" (destroying files, reformattingthe pc drive or inflicting programs to rum improperly. A computer program will one thing apart fromexpected. The computer program isn't itself a pestilence as a result of it doesn't replicate, however is commonly how for viruses or different malicious code to be introduced into a computing system. unhealthyapplets conjointly named as malicious mobile code, area unit expected to become associate increasingdownside as java and Active X controls become additional common place. Malicious code could be a threat to the system’s integrity and continuing operation, typically dynamical however a system functions or neuteringdocuments created on the system. In several cases the user is unaware of the attack till it affects the system and also the information on the system.

Hacking and Cyber vandalism:

A hacker is a personal United Nations agency intends to realize unauthorized access to a computing system.at intervals the hacking community, the term cracker is often wont to denote hacker with criminal intent thoughwithin the print media, the terms hacker and cracker area unit used interchangeably. Hackers and balmy get unauthorized access by finding weaknesses within the security procedures of internet sites and computing system ,often taking benefits of varied options of web that create it associate open system that's simple to use.

Cyber shenanigan is purposely disrupting, defacing, or maybe destroying the location. cluster of hackersknown as as "tiger teams" area unit employed by company security departments to check their own security measures. By hiring hackers to interrupt into the system from outside, the corporate will establish weaknesseswithin the pc systems.

Dimensions of E-Commerce security:

There area unit six dimensions to e-commerce security:

1. Integrity

2. No repudiation

3. believability

4. Confidentiality

5. Privacy

6. accessibility

Integrity refers to the flexibility to make sure that data being displayed on an internet site, or transmitted or received over the web, has not been altered in associatey approach by an unauthorized party.e.g. associateunauthorized person intercepts and changes the contents of a web communication, like by redirecting a blank wire transfer into a distinct account, the integrity of the message has been compromised as a result of the communication now not represents what the first sender supposed. Non repudiation refers to the flexibility to make sure that e-commerce participants don't deny (I.e. repudiate) their on-line actions. believability refers tothe flexibility to spot the identity of someone or entity with whom you're dealing on the web. however willthe client grasp that the online 

site operator is United Nations agency it claims to be? however will the bourgeois be assured that the client is absolutely United Nations agency he/she say he/she is? somebody United Nations agency claims to besomebody they're not is "spoofing" or misinterpreting themselves. Confidentiality refers to the flexibility to make sure that messages and information area unit obtainable solely to those that area unit to look atthem. Confidentiality are a few things confused with privacy, that refers to the flexibility to manage the utilization of data a client provides regarding himself or herself to associate e-commerce bourgeois.accessibility refers to the flexibility to make sure that associate e-commerce website continues to operate assupposed. E -Commerce security is intended to shield these six dimensions. once anyone of them is compromised, it's a security issue.

Risk management

Risk : "The chance of loss or injury." E-commerce risk involves understanding potential issues that may occurwithin the business and have an effect on on success. Risk management is associate activity undertaken to minimize the impact on doubtless adverse events on business. Risk management is associate investment .There isprices related to it. The investment in risk management depends upon the character of the business.

Risk Assessment:

The first step is to inventory data|the data} and knowledge assets of E-commerce website and company. What datais at risk? Is it client data, proprietary styles, business activities, secret processes, or different internal data, likevalue schedules, government compensation, or payroll? for every style of data attempt to estimate the losses for the firm. supported the quantified list of risks, one will begin to develop a security policy I.e. plus of statements prioritizing the data risks, characteristic acceptable risk targets, and characteristic the mechanisms for achieving these targets.

PAYMENT SYSTEM:

TYPES OF PAYMENT SYSTEM

There area unit 5 main forms of payment systems: 

1. Cash

2. Checking transfer 

3. Credit cards

4. keep price 

5. Accumulating balance. 

• Cash

Cash, that is tender, outlined by a national authority to represent price, is that the most typical variety ofpayment in terms of range of transactions. The key feature of money is that it's instantly convertible intodifferent styles of price while not the intervention of the other establishment. as an example, free airline miles don't seem to be money as a result of they're not instantly convertible into different styles of price- they need intervention of by a 3rd party (the airline) so as to be changed for value (an airline ticket) . non-publicorganizations typically produce variety of non-public money known as certificate which will be instantlysaved by taking part organizations for merchandise or money. Example includes inexperienced Stamps anddifferent styles of client loyalty currency. 

• Checking Transfer

Checking Transfers that area unit transferred directly via a signed draft or check from a consumer’s bank accountto a bourgeois or different individual area unit the second most typical variety of payments in terms of rangeof transactions and also the most typical in terms of total quantity spent. Checks may be used for each tinyand enormous transactions, though generally they're not used for small payments. Checks have some float (itwill take up to 10 days for out-of-state checks to clear) and also the unexpended balances will earn interest. Checks don't seem to be anonymous and needed third party establishments to figure. Checks conjointlyintroduce security risks for merchants. they will be cast additional simply than cash; thus authentication isneeded. For merchants, checks conjointly gift some further risk compared to money as a result of they will beoff before they clear the account or they'll bounce if there's not enough cash within the account. 

• Credit card

A mastercard represents associate account that extends credit to client, permits customers to buy thingswhereas deferring payment, and permits customers to create payment to multiple vendors at just the once.mastercard association like Visa and MasterCard area unit nonprofits associations that set standards for the issuebanks – like Citibank- that truly issue the credit cards and method transactions. different third parties (calledprocess centres or clearinghouses) typically handle verification of accounts and balances. mastercard issue banks act as money intermediaries, minimizing the chance to the transacting parties.

• Stored price

Accounts created by depositing funds in to associate account and from that funds area unit paid out or withdrawnPRN area unit stored-value payment systems. keep price payment systems area unit similar in respects to checking transfers – that conjointly keep funds – however don't involve writing a check. Example includescharge account credit, gift certificates, postpaid cards and sensible cards. Debit cards seem like credit cards,however instead of providing access to a line of credit, they instead forthwith debit a checking or differentdeposit account. for several customers, the utilization of charge account credit eliminates the necessity to jot down a paper check. Be cause debit cards area unit obsessed with funds being obtainable in consumer’schecking account, however, giant purchases area unit still usually obtained by mastercard.

• Accumulating balance

Accounts that accumulate expenditure to that customers create periodic payments area unit Accumulating balance payment systems. ancient examples embody utility, phone, and mastercard bills s, all of that accumulate balances, typically over a specified amount (typically a month), and area unit paid fully at the top of the amount. 

Online Market Research:

Market research involves gathering data which will facilitate a firm establish potential product and customers .There area unit 2 general forms of marketing research .Primary analysis involves gathering first-hand datavictimization techniques like surveys, personal interviews and focus teams. this sort of analysis is often wont to gain feedback on brands, products, or new selling campaigns wherever no previous study has been done. Secondary analysis depends on existing, revealed data because the basis for analyzing the market. each primary and secondary analysis may be completed on-line additional with efficiency, less expensively, and additionalaccurately than offline. additionally to 2 totally different approaches to plug analysis, there area unit 2 forms of information to be studied. Quantitative information is information which will be expressed as variety, likeshare. Quantitative information may be analyzed victimization applied math programs that establishrelationship between bound variables, or factors that have an effect on however somebody responds. Qualitative information is information that can't be simply quantified, like opinions, survey queries that yield qualitative responses area unit analyzed by grouping responses into similar sub segments supported the solution given. One style of analysis is content analysis, that tries to spot the key classes of responses given.

E-COMMERCE COMPANIES ALL OVER THE WORLD

Since e-commerce is a very common term nowadays their are many comapanis involved in E-commerce all over the world a well as in India and gives the most finest and tangible e-commerce solutions, provide e-commerce solution at a high end taking most care of the privacy and security of the e-commerce website. E-Commerce service are inclusive of shopping carts, database programmers, shopping carts, graphics, e-business, Flash designs etc.

Flipkart

www.flipkart.in

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/Flipkart_india.png

Flipkart started in the year of 2007, Flipkart is one of the most leading online shopping sites in India. One can buy products of various categories such as music, games, cameras, computers, healthcare and personal products through this site. It has over 3 million registered users and sell more than 30,000 products in a day to its customers. There are providing the customer with various add on services offered by the site such as free shipping all over the country, cash-on-delivery, EMI and 30 days replacement policy make it a shopping destination favourite among people.

Flipkart started with selling books. In 2010, they added media and mobile phones and accessories to their catalogue. In 2011, product launches included cameras, computers, pens & office supplies, computer accessories, home and kitchen appliances, personal care, health care, gaming consoles, audio players and televisions. In 2012, product launches includes health & beauty products, Life style products which includes watches, belts, bags & luggage.

In November 2011, Flipkart launched a new Electronic Wallet feature that allows shoppers with a interactive way to purchase credit to their Flipkart account using credit or debit cards, and can subsequently be utilised to make purchases on the site, as and when required. From June 2012, Flipkart allowed consumers to buy toys, posters and from October 2012, Flipkart entered into apparel retailing.

Snapdeal

www.snapdeal.com

http://nextbigfish.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/snapdeal-logo.gif

Get discounted deals almost on every product on this India’s fastest growing e-commerce website. By February 2012 snapdeal had more than 15,000,000 registered users and more than 50,000 featured merchants.

In January 2011, Snapdeal received a funding of $12 million from Nexus Venture Partners and Indo-US Venture Partners. Subsequently, in July 2011, the company raised a further $45 million from Bessemer Venture Partners, along with existing investors Nexus Venture Partners and Indo-US Venture Partners, taking the total investment in the company to $52 million.

Myntra

www.myntra.com

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Myntra-Logo.png

Myntra was established by Mukesh Bansal, Ashutosh Lawania, and Vineet Saxena in February 2007. All three are IIT alumni, and have worked for several start-ups. It is one of the leading online fashion store in India where you can find fashionable and trendy clothes for men, women and kids. You can buy apparels of different brands and avail discounts on their offers.

Myntra is headquartered in Bangalore and has been funded by Venture Capital funds like IndoUS, IDG & Accel Partners.

The company started off in the business of personalization of products, and soon expanded to set up regional offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. It began its operations in the B2B (business to business) segment with the personalization of gifts, which included T-shirts, mugs and caps to name a few. However, in 2010, the company shifted its strategy to becoming a B2C (business to customer) oriented firm, expanding its catalogue to fashion and lifestyle products.

From 2007 to December 2010, Myntra.com was in the business of online demand personalization. The products ranged from T-shirts, mugs, greeting cards, calendars, key chains, diaries, wine glasses.

Homeshop18

www. Homeshop18.in

http://www.couponoye.com/images/logos/homeshop18-logo.png

HomeShop18 has partnered with major brand owners such as Reebok, Nokia, LG, Motorola, Philips, Kaya, and Godrej. Homeshop18 is one of the largest electronic retailing companies of India which sells its products through Internet, TV and mobile. It offers a diverse range of mercandise including apparels, jewellery, books, home appliances, toys and electronic items. It has a customer base of over 5 million and delivers products to more than 50 cities in India. With its highly user-friendly website, it provides a completely hassle free shopping experience.

HomeShop18 acquired CoinJoos.com, an online books, movies and music retailer in August, 2011 for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is the main contributor to HomeShop18.com's Books catalogue.

The HomeShop18 television channel was launched on 9 April, 2008. The television network can be currently seen on cable, satellite and some terrestrial channels in India.

eBay

www.ebay.in

http://www.logodesignlove.com/images/evolution/ebay-logo-01.jpg

eBay India is one of the largest online marketing site that offers diverse products. In most of electronic products EMI for 3 or 6 months is available with HDFC. They offer deals of the week with good discounts.

eBay Inc. (stylized as ebay) is an American multinational internet consumer-to-consumer corporation, headquartered in San Jose, California. It was founded in 1995, and became a notable success story of the dot-com bubble; it is now a multi-billion dollar business with operations localized in over thirty countries. The company manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide. Millions of collectibles, decor, appliances, computers, furnishings, equipment, domain names, vehicles, and other miscellaneous items are listed, bought, or sold daily on eBay. In 2006, eBay launched its Business & Industrial category, breaking into the industrial surplus business. Generally, anything can be auctioned on the site as long as it is not illegal and does not violate the eBay Prohibited and Restricted Items policy.Services and intangibles can be sold, too. Large international companies, such as IBM, sell their newest products and offer services on eBay using competitive auctions and fixed-priced storefronts.

Fernsnpetals

www.fernsnpetals.com

http://www.indiaretailing.com/upload/newsimage/fernspetals-logo.jpg

The Ferns 'N' Petals (FNP) is known for good quality flowers & flower arrangements. It has been claimed that it is a leading Florist in India. Send the flowers to your loved ones from this site and give happiness to them.

Ferns 'N' Petals a leading florist in India, has been associated with good quality flowers & flower arrangements. FNP, the only Indian name at par with international flower brands in both quality and designs and provide one-stop solution to its customer for all flower requirements including. Either it is for daily or occasional gifting or for floral decoration in weddings, corporate events and individual parties. Buy and send flowers to India or globally and gift your loved ones with exotic and exquisite flower arrangements delivered throughout Indian cities and a number of international centres. Send flowers online to your near and dear ones on any of the occasions with the help of the famous florist of India at your ease and comfort. They assure you to deliver your order within stipulated time schedule. Ferns 'N' Petals has redefined the concept of flower retailing, making even rare flowers readily available to the Indian consumers. Apart from the strong retail network of outlets all around India, the company has a wide presence of flowers on net as well as to provide you the comfort of buying and sending flowers online.

QUIKR.COMhttp://www.akosha.com/images/company_logo/d06f09a5-14c6-45af-a069-c62d2ef99019.jpg

It is a community classifieds Website which enables people in the same city to meet, trade, share ideas and help in various areas, such as household goods, cars and bikes, services, real estate, jobs, and matrimonial. . The company was formerly known as Kijiji India Private Limited and changed its name to Quikr India Private Limited in June, 2008. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Mumbai, India.

The company is joint investment by Matrix Partners India, Omidyar Network, Norwest Venture Partners and invested in by eBay Inc.

It was started in 2008, by Pranay Chulet, CEO. It has a user base of 80 million users every month to their address needs.

It was basically launched so that people in the local community could come together, meet, trade and help each other in many ways. Community members can come here to find an apartment to live in, sell their old car, bike,music system, laptop or furniture, promote their small business, find a tuition class or get a break as a model or actor, join a salsa class, get an audience for a local event, buy any item that they might want or have to offer and make new friends while doing all of the above.

It is one of the India’s leading horizontal classifieds.

160 categories in over 83 cities.

1.8 Crore consumers every month.

Amongst world’s Top 250 private companies.