About this Course

Many entrepreneurs sell goods or services on the Internet. The Internet provides access to a large and growing market. Approximately 627 million people were shopping online worldwide in 2005, according to AC Nielsen, a global information-marketing company.

By selling on the Internet, a neighborhood shop or home-based firm can reach a national or even interna­tional group of potential customers. When entrepreneurs sell online, they are on a more level playing field with larger competitors.

There are costs to Internet selling, certainly. But the price of creating and managing a Web site has dropped, and the number of Web site design and management com­panies has grown. In fact, some entrepreneurs find it less costly to run an Internet store than to hire a large sales force and maintain one or more bricks and mortar or actual stores.

Some businesses like books, airline travel, and the stock market, for example, have been transformed by their success in online sales. Others, such as amusement parks, bowling alleys, or utility companies, may not at first seem well suited to the Internet. But a Web site also can be used for selling tickets, offering discounts, or letting cus­tomers make payments over the Internet.

At the end of this course, you will know how to: 

• Introduce online business.
• Know the meaning of online business.
• Explain how online business fairs in Nigeria.
• Understand the strengths, advantages and challenges of online business.