Module 4: e-Commerce

The Internet has revolutionized our ideas of a market for goods and services. The geographic restrictions that may have limited sales in the past are no longer relevant in many cases. Inputs can now be purchased from several states away or even other countries. Better, a farmer can use the Internet to market and sell products, whether they produce milk, corn, or goat cheese. The process of buying and selling on the Internet is generally referred to as "e-commerce."

Our focus in this module will be on those issues related to making the transaction on the Internet. Most people understand that being able to sell your products to anyone at anytime is a major potential benefit of using the Internet. But unless they have done it before, few know how to use the Internet as a sales tool.

When you think about selling on the Internet, your first thought likely includes your current or planned website. Tait Farm Foods' website started by enhancing their mail order business, offering one more avenue for people to learn about and order their products. It has since grown larger than their other mail order enterprises. Cindy Latchaw believes that direct marketing facilitated by a website should allow her to receive higher prices for her hydroponic products than selling through farmers' markets or some wholesale outlet. She and our other farm business owners view selling as one of the key roles of a website. Even Mercer Vu, whose site has filled a public relations role, has considered selling compost via their website. Watch these video clips to see what our experts have to say: Kim Tait Joe Phillips

Indeed, many businesses use their websites as the primary electronic means for generating sales. Although it may not be obvious, there are a few different ways to make sales on your website. You might also find that making sales through a third-party website works best for your business. This section provides an overview of the methods that you could use to make sales on the Internet.