Electronic commerce (e-commerce) can include
  • delivering digital content,
  • electronic fund transfers,
  • share-trading,
  • bills of lading,
  • commercial auctions,
  • collaborative design and engineering,
  • online sourcing,
  • public procurement,
  • direct consumer marketing, and
  • sales, delivery, and after-sales service.
Amazon was originally a virtual bookstore.

Orders were processed through websites and shipped directly from publishers, eliminating warehousing costs.