In the exciting and rapidly evolving world of e-commerce, it's not surprising that a plethora of terms have sprung up to describe the platforms where buying and selling take place. Webshop, website, site, store, online store, e-commerce, eCommerce, platform, app, order software... The list goes on. But have you ever wondered where all these terms come from? Or what, if anything, differentiates one from another? If so, you're in the right place. Today we'll take a journey through the jargon jungle to make some sense of these terms.
Let's start with the granddaddy of them all: the 'Website.' A website is a collection of interconnected web pages, usually including a homepage, often on the World Wide Web. As early as the 90s, businesses began creating websites as online storefronts. This was the dawn of 'E-commerce' or electronic commerce, the activity of buying or selling products or services online.
An 'Online store' or 'Webshop' are just other names for an e-commerce website, where transactions take place. These terms became popular as businesses looked for more retail-oriented language to connect with their customers.
A 'Store' signifies a more commercial intent. It says, 'Hey, we're not just a website; we sell things here!' The same goes for 'Online Store' which is just a digital version of a physical store.
The 'Platform' speaks to the technical side of things. It's a term often used by developers and those in the know to refer to the underlying technology that powers the website or webshop.
As for 'App,' it's simply short for application. It became popular with the rise of smartphones and the mobile revolution. An e-commerce app is a software application that can be used on a smartphone or tablet for online shopping.
The term 'Order software' refers specifically to a type of platform or app that facilitates the ordering process in a business setting, often in B2B transactions.
It's a rich and varied world, this e-commerce lingo, and it's continually evolving as new technologies and trends emerge. It may feel overwhelming at times, but fear not! Whether you're a small business owner, a designer, a developer, or a customer, what matters most is that you're able to navigate this digital landscape in a way that makes sense to you.
So, call it a webshop, an online store, a platform, or an app – as long as it helps you do what you need to do, you're using the right term. And remember, you're not alone in this journey. There are partners and platforms out there, like OrderCast, who understand the challenges of the e-commerce world and are there to help you navigate it. Whether it's managing orders, billing, or inventory, OrderCast has got you covered, regardless of what you call your online presence!
Interested in learning more about how OrderCast can help simplify your e-commerce journey, no matter what terminology you prefer? Reach out to us at www.ordercast.io, or drop us a line at info@ordercast.io. We're always here to help, and we love talking about all things e-commerce – webshop, website, site, store, you name it!
