Brave New Shift to Wireless.

• Author: White, AnneMarie
• Position: Brief Article

E-business is no longer just a competitive strategy; it's what your customers expect. Companies, customers and employees are relying more and more on the Internet as a critical business tool. But how you get your business online is still up to you.

Back to the Future

In 1998, the Web development industry exploded. For the first time, people understood that the Internet was here to stay and they better jump on board or be left behind.

The first websites were static, brochure-like, and contained little, if any, interactivity. There was no database integration and definitely no e-commerce.

Here and Now

Today, Web development companies are no longer just building websites, but rather they are providing and customizing e-business solutions consisting of consulting, strategy, branding, developing, marketing (online and offline), customer relation management, e-commerce, personalized platforms, data communication, database integration, and hosting.

Previously, the Internet industry had a reputation for attracting the young, however that is no longer the case. It is not uncommon to find veteran executives in Internet-based companies. They bring a wealth of experience and leadership skills to the table that enhance online business.

The old economy, with its traditional marketing methods, and the new economy, with its active online marketing, are colliding. However, when these new and old marketing philosophies work side by side, the whole economy benefits. Massachusetts-based Forrester Research estimates that e-business will grow at a 100 percent compound annual growth rate over the next few years.

New technologies allow traditional brick and mortar companies to develop and mass customize services to individual customers enabling the infinite scalability and rapid syndication of the Web. And with the decline of online-only dot-coms, the e-business model appeals to more traditional brick and mortar companies.

According to Scott Tilett of Internet Week, "Ninety percent of online buyers use traditional brick and mortar suppliers that have gone online, and only 39 percent buy from online-only suppliers." Online capabilities allow companies to increase revenue by personally branching out to each individual customer.

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