rom large corporations to smaller businesses. “Virtual communities erode the marketing and sales advantages of large companies. A small company with a better product and better customer service can use these communities to challenge larger competitors--something it probably could not do in the real world.” (CommerceNet, 1999) With many of the technological advances in the banking, on-line trading and retail industries, E-commerce will soon become the foundation of our life just as radio, telephone and television have in the past. Technology has a place in everyone's day-to-day activities and soon E-commerce will be a major factor in the decisions we have to make. It is important to remember that E-commerce is more complex than just buying that special someone’s birthday present. E-commerce, along with the Internet, is an outlet for business. It is a way for the new guy to compete with the proven giants in the industry. Simply put, the Internet and the use of E-commerce provides many opportunities for even the smallest of businesses to compete with large corporations, in essence leveling the playing field. With the steady growth of the Internet, and the fact that every year more and more families are plugging in and surfing the web, can a company survive without the use of the Internet and E-commerce? The answer to that questions is “Probably, but not for long.” The Internet and E-commerce are here to stay, so businesses can either change with the times, or get left behind. The choice is theirs to make....
