E-commerce (short for electronic commerce) is the buying and selling of goods or services over the internet — basically, online shopping in all its forms.
The term took off in the 1990s with the rise of the web. It started with simple online bookstores (like the early Amazon), and now includes everything from virtual supermarkets to digital art markets, subscription boxes, and B2B platforms. If you’ve ever bought shoes online, booked a course through a website, or sold something on Mercado Libre, you’ve participated in e-commerce.
There are several types: B2C (business to consumer, like a clothing brand selling to you), B2B (business to business, like a supplier selling parts to a factory), C2C (consumer to consumer, like someone selling used stuff on eBay), and even D2C (direct to consumer, where brands skip the middleman).
E-commerce runs on websites, payment gateways, inventory systems, and digital marketing. Tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento make it easier than ever to start your own store — from your garage or a beach in Tulum.
Want the big picture? Here’s a great intro from WooCommerce.
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