Module 3 website analysis

http://www.lowestonweb.com/ 1

Introduction

For the T171 Module 3 Understanding E-Business, I have chosen a site which is a division of a UK company Evesham Technology₂. The main company sells computer systems both conventionally and via the internet. However Evesham Technology also sells all types of computer peripherals via the internet at http://www.lowestonweb.com/₁. This is a large site, selling a very wide range of products such as printers, scanners, mice, monitors etc with the boast that it's prices are "The Lowest On The Web".

This Sites Use to T171 Students

There are a number of difficult concepts to grasp within this module. It deals with the relationship and trust between a supplier and the customer and what makes a successful e-commerce. Many examples have are given of both conventional businesses and web based businesses. This site demonstrates how one firm has attempted to ensure its survival by splitting it's core functions, manufacturing and selling computer systems and selling branded computer peripherals by arranging it's organisation to meet the its consumers perceived needs, thus attempting to maximise it's earnings potential. It is another example of the "informational superiority of electronics"₃(Evans P & Wurster TS) discussed in the course textbook "Blown to Bits" (Evans P & Wurster TS)_4.

Unlike most of the examples within the T171 Coursework or the course book "Blown to Bits", where a firm has been created specifically to trade via the web or sells all its products. This site demonstrates the practical effects of the richness and reach concept. The firm obviously feels that unlike computer systems, actual PC's, when it come to the selling of peripherals the lack of direct contact that the hands off experience that a web only purchasing experience does not interfere with the consumers trust. The site also shows the added richness that can be added when selling this way by use of additional technical data and other information on most products, which would not necessarily be available to a consumer if they were purchasing from a conventional high street retailer.

The Relevance, Perspective and Opinions on the Site

This module deals with the changes businesses have had to make, to their organisation and practises in order to survive and expand with the emergence of e-commerce and e- business. Part of this covered the ideas or richness and reach and the process of allowing a direct link between a consumer and a producer . In lowestonweb.com₁ case with the products it sells it clearly is attempting to compete on price. lowestonweb.com₁ is clearly an example of a Business 2 Customer Organisation and is also an example of an Individual 2 Individual organisation as defined in Module 3 & 3.1 of the T171 Course.

The site is clearly a commercial site. I found it to be comprehensive, easy to navigate and use. The information appeared to correct, for example, the downloadable technical documentation supplied via links worked. This along with using a secure server to take any payment details, gives a reasonable degree of trust that you are dealing with a trustworthy firm. I based this view on making a couple of tentative purchases on the site and comparing it with other sites such as Dabs http://www.dabs.com₅.

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