4. Benefits of online marketplace
Internet plays an important role in the business made through online
marketplace. This means you need not to pay any money on the
printing, distribution and postage. These things are covered online
only. The other major advantage is the track on each thing via
software.
You save lots of time since you do not need to travel and so the
business becomes easier.
You find the contacts instantly and make communication to start
the business.
Online B2B marketplace opens a window for the different
geographical borders and time zones.
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5. What are the Opportunities of online marketplace?
Selling through eBay and Amazon has advantages for both large
and small businesses:
Reach new customers: Selling through eBay and Amazon
allows businesses to reach their enormous customer base.
Sell internationally: Both of the major marketplaces are
international, allowing companies to reach beyond their
geographical marketplace.
Dispose of distressed stock: Online auction is an excellent way
to sell off distressed stock such as end of line or returns
Brand promotion: eBay in particular allows sellers to brand
their listings, allowing a business’ brand to be promoted.
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6. What is social media?
Social media refers to online sites and applications which
allow users to share content online. Typically users create
personal profiles and form connections with other users.
These connections can either be informal, for example
exchanging blog links, or more structured such as becoming
‘friends’ through a social network.
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8. Types of social media
Social Media is an umbrella term, referring to a wide range of different services:
Blogging: Blogs are online journals where users create frequent articles or ‘posts’ which are
displayed in a chronological order and invite comments. Blogs can either be frivolous, for
example a teenager’s online diary, or more serious such as a CEO’s blog.
Social networks: Sites like Facebook and MySpace allow users to post profiles and then
connect with other users (becoming virtual ‘friends’) and share content. These sites are
quickly becoming central of many people’s lives, both on and offline.
Social bookmarking: Sites such as Delicious and Digg allow users to bookmark web pages
and then share these with other users.
Rich Media share: Sites such as YouTube allow users to upload rich media (e.g. video or
audio) and share this with other users.
Forums: Forums have been around for years, but should not be ignored as a place to interact
with customers.
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9. How do social media act as a communication tool for
online marketplace?
Social media marketing refers to the process of using social media services to
promote a business and enable it to connect with its customers, employees
and other stakeholders. Social media services present a great opportunity for
businesses to market their products and services in a cost effective and fun
way.
Creating a company blog, for example, allows a business to publish frequent
updates and get instant customer feedback. They can also help to give a
business a more human face. Some businesses have launched hugely
successful profiles on social networks. Top Shop, the leading fashion chain,
obtains 5% of its website traffic from its MySpace profile.
Increasingly, people are using social media to communicate with their contacts
and plan out their lives and in order to remain relevant, businesses must get
involved.
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