What is E-Commerce?
The buying and selling of goods or services electronically over the internet is referred to as “ecommerce.” It can also apply to other online activities like bidding, purchasing tickets, and banking. Ecommerce, which uses computers, tablets, or smartphones, is the purchasing and selling of goods and services online. Business-to-business, business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, and consumer-to-business transactions all fall under the umbrella of ecommerce. (Indeed Editorial Team, 4 February 2020.)
This project in terms of E-Commerce will follow consumer-to-consumer as the organisation relies on the consumer, but Last Hope itself is created by the consumers. Consumers selling to other consumers constitutes consumer-to-consumer e-commerce. This type of online business is exemplified by websites like eBay and Craigslist.
Example of E-Commerce
There are various examples of E-Commerce which would suite this project are Retail, Physical Products, Services and Crowdfunding which means when money is collected as product capital in advance of a product being available.
Advantages of E-Commerce
Organisation can benefit from the E-Commerce by gaining a reach to a wider audience and shopping from home is more convenient for the consumer at the same time giving a wider range of ways to donate to homeless organisation.
Disadvantages of E-Commerce
However, there are some difficulties for the users when purchasing the product such as inability to see a product before buying it or inconvenience which won’t be the case with Last Hope as the sold products will be able to return the item if they don’t like or don’t want it anymore and receive a refund.
Merchandise
Giving or selling merch is also another part of the advertisement as it can benefit the organisation by building brand awareness and recognition, engage with your audience and drive additional funds. These funds are extremely important for shelter which will give a lot of opportunities for the community (Rocket Charities, 27 August 2019).
Example of Merchandise
Summary
Establish a social media presence for the sale of goods that will assist in raising money for a facility where the homeless can stay for free and compassionate people who care for them. Since there are more homeless persons sitting on the streets of Hull, the local community would be the intended audience for this.
References
Indeed Editorial Team, 4 February 2020. What Is Ecommerce? Definition, Advantages and Disadvantages [Online] (17 August 2022) Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-ecommerce#:~:text=Advantages%20of%20e-commerce&text=Companies%20can%20reach%20a%20wider,comparison%20shop%20across%20different%20brands. [Accessed on 29 December 2022]
Rocket Charities, 27 August 2019. 3 Benefits of Charity Event Merchandise [Online] (n.d.) Available at: https://rocketcharities.co.uk/fundraising-articles/3-benefits-of-charity-event-merchandise/ [Accessed on 29 December 2022]