E-Commerce Vocabulary

Firewall

(computing) a security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attack from crackers

gateway

A computer or other device that connects networks.

WYSIWYG

An acronym that stands for "What you see is what you get." And allows you to see what the final document will look like.

certificate authority

An entity that verifies the actual identity of an organization or individual before it provides a Digital Certificate

P2P

Often referred to simply as peer-to-peer, or abbreviated P2P, a type of network in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities and responsibilities.

Encryption

Process of converting readable data into unreadable characters to prevent unauthorized access.

SOHO

Small Office Home Office. A term used to define the general working environment of small businesses and home based businesses.

e-check

The electronic version of a paper check

user session

The session of activity that a user with a unique IP address spends on a Web site during a specified period of time

merchant account

a bank account that allows companies to process credit card payments and receive funds from those transactions

Uptime

a period of time when something (as a machine or factory) is functioning and available for use

turnkey

a type of project that is constructed by a developer and sold or turned over to a buyer in a ready-to-use condition

MIDS

a unique number assigned to a merchant account to identify it throughout the course of processing activities.

shopping cart

an electronic tool used by online consumers to purchase goods and services

B2C

business to consumer; e-commerce consist of the sale of goods and services to the general public

B2B

business-to-business market, where all the individuals and organizations that want goods and services to use in producing other goods and services or to sell, rent, or supply goods to others

cookies

computer files with information in them

Chargeback

financial penalties imposed on manufacturers by retailers

secure servers

https:// indicates that you're communicating through a secure server

CRM

involves managing all aspects of a customer's relationship with an organization to increase customer loyalty and retention and an organization's profitability

E-tailing

involves retailers selling products over the internet to the customer

infomediary

is a website that provides specialized information on behalf of producers of goods and services and their potential customers. The term is a composite of information and intermediary.

Co-branding

placing two or more brand names on a product or its package

Privacy policy

policy that indicates what kind of information a website will take from you and what they intend to do with it

shareware

software that is available free of charge

privacy seal programs

that make it easier for U.S. Chamber of Commerce members to engage in e-commerce

E-commerce

the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet