What Is the Difference Between E-commerce and M-commerce?

 The popularity of online shopping is increasing dramatically with the increased use of smartphones and high-speed mobile connectivity. And everyone is familiar with the term ‘e-commerce’. After all, it has brought every product in the world to our fingertips. 

Although the term ‘e-commerce’ pops up in our minds regarding online shopping, not everyone knows what ‘m-commerce’ is. It is a new buzzword in the industry and has intrigued not only consumers but businesses also. 

Both the terms are related to online shopping but are not the same. Let us understand them in detail.

What Is E-commerce?

E-commerce is the activity where selling and buying occur electronically using the internet, hence the name electronic commerce. The business transactions are performed on laptops and desktops. There are various types of e-commerce models, like Business to Business (B2), Business to Customers (B2C), and Direct to Customers (D2C). E-commerce can be described as the digital version of mail-order catalog shopping. 

What Is M-commerce?

M-commerce or mobile commerce is where buying and selling occur via handheld devices using cellular data or the internet. M-commerce is a subcategory of e-commerce as the same process occurs in both cases. Any commercial transaction, such as paying bills, buying products or online banking, made on a handheld device, like a smartphone or tablet, is considered m-commerce.

Difference Between E-commerce and M-commerce

The app development industry is evolving every day. To get success, you have to be updated with the changing technology and the latest demands. You have to move accordingly. Likewise, understanding the difference between e-commerce and m-commerce will help you stay in the game, especially if you’re into the online purchase and sale business. As an entrepreneur, understanding the difference between them will help you choose the right application to build when you hire web development services.

Mobility: Since e-commerce is mostly about performing a transaction using a desktop or laptop, it is not as mobile as m-commerce. After all, it isn't easy to use a desktop computer or laptop when you’re on the move. Mobility is a major point of difference between e-commerce and m-commerce. 

Since users generally prefer to order online using mobile apps instead of opening a laptop and surfing the web for the right product because it's convenient. Easy login and getting the right product on the spot make shoppers go for mobile applications. The shoppers can whip up their phones anytime and start browsing the products they need. So, when comparing e-commerce and m-commerce in terms of mobility, m-commerce is the winner.

Mode of Retargeting: E-commerce apps use promotional emails for sending updates and alerts to customers, whereas m-commerce apps use push notifications. Push notifications are deemed to be more effective as these do not risk being sent to spam folders or ignored by users. Push notifications are delivered instantly and get noticed easily.

Tracking Location- In the case of e-commerce, IP addresses are the only way to track the users' location. However, it does not tell about the exact whereabouts of shoppers. Whereas, in m-commerce, retailers can leverage various technologies like WiFi, GPS, cellular data to track their customers. It helps retailers send promotion alerts to their customers in a particular area. 

Payment Options and Security: E-commerce transactions mostly occur using credit cards. While in m-commerce apps, there are different gateways available for it, thus offering more options to the customers. Additionally, the transactions made over mobile phones are more authentic, unlike e-commerce. The feature of phone identification adds another layer of security that removes every possibility of a cyber scam.

 

Advantages of M-commerce for Business 

Since m-commerce has more positives than negatives, it will be a good idea to embrace it. While switching from traditional e-commerce to m-commerce can be daunting, it is indeed fruitful for your business. Here are the top advantages of m-commerce for a business.

• Know Your Customers: Understanding your customers’ behaviour has become necessary for retailers to provide a customized experience. M-commerce allows retailers to collect consumer-oriented data and strengthen their relationships with their customers.

• Enhanced Customer Experience: Giving personalized recommendations and promotions to the customers based on their search history gives off the perception of the caring brand. It increases your brand loyalty. 

• Increased Revenue: The checkout option in the apps is so straightforward that it leads to more sales and fewer discarded shopping carts. It means higher sales and increased ROI.

Final Word

After understanding the major difference between e-commerce and m-commerce, it is now easier to make sound decisions to grow your business. If you are a startup or established business and want a strong foothold in the market, an online presence can help you. It is advisable to evaluate your audience, understand the platform your target customers prefer, and then decide between e-commerce and m-commerce. If you’re not sure, get in touch with Zazz, a leading e-commerce app development company that provides solutions for e-commerce and m-commerce and helps you increase your online presence.