电子商务是什么电子商务通常是指是在全球各地广泛的商业贸易活动中，在因特网开放的网络环境下，基于浏览器/服务器应用方式，买卖双方不谋面地进行各种商贸活动，实现消费者的网上购物、商户之间的网上交易和在线电子支付以及各种商务活动、交易活动、金融活动和相关的综合服务活动的一种新型的商业运营模式。
电子商务是利用微电脑技术和网络通讯技术进行的商务活动。
各国政府、学者、企业界人士根据自己所处的地位和对电子商务参与的角度和程度的不同，给出了许多不同的定义。
侠义上讲，电子商务（Electronic Commerce简称EC)是指：通过使用互联网等电子工具（这些工具包括电报、电话、广播、电视、传真、计算机、计算机网络、移动通信等）在全球范围内进行的商务贸易活动。
是以计算机网络为基础所进行的各种商务活动，包括商品和服务的提供者、广告商、消费者、中介商等有关各方行为的总和。
人们一般理解的电子商务是指狭义上的电子商务。
广义上讲，电子商务一词源自于Electronic Business，就是通过电子手段进行的商业事务活动。
通过使用互联网等电子工具，使公司内部、供应商、客户和合作伙伴之间，利用电子业务共享信息，实现企业间业务流程的电子化，配合企业内部的电子化生产管理系统，提高企业的生产、库存、流通和资金等各个环节的效率电子商务是利用计算机技术、网络技术和远程通信技术，实现电子化、数字化和网络化，商务化的整个商务过程；是以商务活动为主体，以计算机网络为基础，以电子化方式为手段，在法律许可范围内所进行的商务活动交易过程；是运用数字信息技术，对企业的各项活动进行持续优化的过程；是指交易当事人或参与人利用现代信息技术和计算机网络（包括互联网、移动网络和其他信息网络）所进行的各类商业活动，包括货物交易、服务交易和知识产权交易电子商务整体分为几类：1、推广营销：包括各类的关键词、邮件、广告、博客、论坛等等，这类营销以品牌推广为主，不进行实际的销售，但是为销售做好了打前站的工作铺垫；2、经营销售：如淘宝（B2C）阿里巴巴（B2B）慧聪当当等等，不管批发还是零售都属于经营销售网络营销的范畴；3、线上线下网络营销：电子商务实际属于商务活动的一种，只是它跨越了地域和时间的限制，将商务活动更加扩大化，商务速度和模式更容易进行。
E-Commerce定义运用电子工具从事商务活动内容电子货币交换电子交易市场电子设备网络技术交易平台平台消费者Contemporary electronic commerce involves everything from ordering "digital" content for immediate online consumption, to ordering conventional goods and services, to "meta" services to facilitate other types of electronic commerce.On the institutional level, big corporations and financial institutions use the internet to exchange financial data to facilitate domestic and international business. Data integrity and security are very hot and pressing issues for electronic commerce.Electronic commerce, commonly known as E-commerce is trading in products or services using computer networks, such as the Internet. Electronic commerce draws on technologies such as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems. Modern electronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web for at least one part of the transaction's life cycle, although it may also use other technologies such as e-mail.E-commerce businesses usually employ some or all of the following practices: Provide Etail or "virtual storefronts" on websites with online catalogs, sometimes gathered into a "virtual mall".Buy or sell on websites or online marketplaces.Gather and use demographic data through web contacts and social media.Use electronic data interchange, the business-to-business exchange of data.Reach prospective and established customers by E-mail or fax (for example, with newsletters).Use business-to-business buying and selling.Provide secure business transactions.Impact on markets and retailersEconomists have theorized that e-commerce ought to lead to intensified price competition, as it increases consumers' ability to gather information about products and prices. Research by four economists at the University of Chicago has found that the growth of online shopping has also affected industry structure in two areas that have seen significant growth in e-commerce, bookshops and travel agencies. Generally, larger firms are able to use economies of scale and offer lower prices. The lone exception to this pattern has been the very smallest category of bookseller, shops with between one and four employees, which appear to have withstood the trend.[54] Individual or business involved in e-commerce whether buyers or sellers rely on Internet-based technology in order to accomplish their transactions. E-commerce is recognized for its ability to allow business to communicate and to form transaction anytime and anyplace. Whether an individual is in the US or overseas, business can be conducted through the internet. The power of e-commerce allows geophysical barriersto disappear, making all consumers and businesses on earth potential customers and suppliers. eBay is a good example of e-commerce business individuals and businesses are able to post their items and sell them around the Globe。
