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In this fast-moving world of technology everything is now available at our fingertips. Any products we now desire is just a few clicks away. This is made possible thanks to new technologies such as E-Commerce and M-Commerce.
While the conversion from physical store purchasing to online shopping has taken some time the uptake from E-Commerce to M-Commerce is happening very fast. An online business transaction that happens on a mobile device (phone, tablet etc..) is considered M-Commerce while a transaction that happens on a desktop computer or laptop is identified as an E-Commerce purchase. The number of smartphone users has dramatically increased over the past number of years and this has given rise to the increased amount of M-Commerce transactions. Online retailers are now making sure that their products are as easy to buy on a smartphone as they are on a laptop.
Here is a chart showing the difference between the world of E-Commerce and M-Commerce:
|
Ecommerce |
M-Commerce |
| Internet access is necessary for e-commerce | M-commerce connectivity is launched as a wireless connectivity using mobile devices |
| Buying and selling products and services with the use of the internet | Buying and selling products and services with the use of mobile phones that have access to the internet or cellular data |
| Requires devices such as laptops or computers | Requires devices such as tablets, smart phone and iPads |
| Platform used: web stores | Platform used |
| Mobility is limited, and devices can be cumbersome due to size or weight | Easy to carry and offer more mobility, accessibility and convenience |
| Less costly as created on the web store platform and there is a usage of internet | More costly as a mobile app is required and there is a usage of cellular data or internet |
| Since it is applicable to the broader area customization for each user is not possible | Mobile devices are usually owned by an individual and so anyone can use the customised app to fulfill their personal or business needs |
| More complicated user interface and more functions available | Easy to use as all the functions are simplified |