Introduction To E-Commerce
- Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 79 pages
- 19 units
This course introduces the concept of E-commerce, its types, and benefits. It explores the differences between E-commerce and E-business, covering issues, catalog development, and online shopping processes. Topics include order processing, payment gateways, purchasing, identifying shoppers, and security measures. The course also addresses methodologies for developing and managing E-commerce websites, providing a comprehensive overview of the field.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 90 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Basic computer literacy
- Internet navigation skills
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Computer based tests
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CIT415, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CIT415 · Unit 1: Basic Definitions of E-Commerce
This course addresses the concepts of e-commerce, expresses the difference between e-commerce and e-business. It discusses issues of e-commerce and payment gateways. Areas to be covered include: Introduction and definition of e-commerce, online shopping, processing orders, online shopping, purchasing, identifying shopper‟ information and security of the system. Other areas include catalogue, development, managing and maintaining e-commerce website.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the core concepts and types of E-commerce.
- Differentiate between E-commerce and E-business.
- Develop an E-commerce catalog.
- Describe the process of developing and managing an E-commerce website.
- Explain how to track shoppers' information.
- Discuss the processes of securing an E-commerce system.
What it prepares you for
- E-commerce Manager
- Web Developer
- Online Marketing Specialist
- IT Security Specialist
- Business Analyst
- Retail
- Finance
- Technology
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Payment Gateways (e.g., PayPal)
- E-commerce Platforms (e.g., Shopify)
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Website Development for E-Commerce
Unit 1: Introduction and Techniques for Web Design
Requires understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which may be challenging for students without a background in web development.
- Module 5: Shopping Cart
Unit 3: Payment Gateways for Shopping Carts
Understanding the different types of shopping carts (open source, licensed, hosted) and their implications for security and maintenance requires careful consideration.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 36 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Basic Concepts and Definitions
Unit 1: Basic Definitions of E-Commerce · 2 hours
Define E-commerce and its significance.. Explain the 5C model: Commerce, Collaboration, Communication, Connection, Computation..
Unit 2: Types of E-Commerce · 2 hours
Identify and differentiate the types of E-commerce: B2B, B2C, C2C, C2B, B2A, C2A, and M-Commerce.. Provide examples of each type..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Basic Concepts and Definitions
Unit 3: Benefits and Key Ideas in E-Commerce · 2 hours
Discuss the benefits of E-commerce, such as cost reduction and wider reach.. Analyze the disadvantages, including security and trust issues..
- Week 3Module 2: Understanding E-Business and E-Commerce
Unit 1: Concepts of E-Business and E-Commerce · 2 hours
Distinguish between E-commerce and E-business.. Evaluate the role of ICT in business..
- Week 4Module 2: Understanding E-Business and E-Commerce
Unit 2: Facilities and Support for E-Commerce and E-Business Systems · 2 hours
Discuss traditional and electronic payment methods.. Highlight incorporated facilities like mobile phones and social media that support E-commerce..
- Week 5Module 2: Understanding E-Business and E-Commerce
Unit 3: Issues and Problems that affects E-Commerce and E-Business Development · 2 hours
Identify technical and economic challenges affecting E-commerce and E-business development.. Discuss the impact of ICT systems and business protocols..
- Week 6Module 3: Website Development for E-Commerce
Unit 1: Introduction and Techniques for Web Design · 2 hours
Explain the importance of web design and the components of the Internet.. Discuss the benefits of an E-commerce website..
- Week 7Module 3: Website Development for E-Commerce
Unit 2: Managing and Methodologies for Developing E-Commerce Websites · 2 hours
Discuss customer service strategies for managing an E-commerce website.. Explain the methodologies for developing E-commerce websites..
- Week 8Module 3: Website Development for E-Commerce
Unit 3: Creating and Maintaining a Successful Web Presence · 2 hours
Highlight the steps to create and maintain a successful web presence.. Discuss setting website goals and branding..
- Week 9Module 4: Product Catalog Development
Unit 1: E-Commerce Catalog Development · 2 hours
Explain the process of E-commerce catalog development.. Highlight key elements such as product features, descriptions, and images..
Unit 2: Processing Orders in E-Commerce · 2 hours
Understand the activities for processing customers' orders.. Draw the process flow for order processing..
- Week 10Module 4: Product Catalog Development
Unit 3: Online Shop · 2 hours
Understand the operation of an online shop.. Demonstrate how to shop online, including business models..
- Week 11Module 5: Shopping Cart
Unit 1: Introduction to Shopping Cart · 2 hours
Explain the shopping cart and its types: open source, licensed, and hosted.. Evaluate the components of a shopping cart software..
Unit 2: Functions of Shopping Cart · 2 hours
Highlight the functions of shopping carts, including security and compatibility of payment modes..
- Week 12Module 5: Shopping Cart
Unit 3: Payment Gateways for Shopping Carts · 2 hours
Differentiate between the types of payment gateways.. Demonstrate payment gateway considerations..
Unit 4: Shopping Cart Problems · 2 hours
Highlight the issues associated with shopping carts, such as security and fraud.. Understand shopping cart abandonment..
- Week 13Module 6: Completing the Purchasing Process and Tracking Information
Unit 1: Completing the Purchasing Process · 2 hours
Evaluate activities of a webstore and supporting mechanisms for E-commerce.. Evaluate the online purchase process..
Unit 2: Tracking Shoppers' Information · 2 hours
Develop techniques for tracking customers, including cookies and web beacons.. Understand the importance of customer information..
Preparing for the exam
- Review the definitions and differences between E-commerce and E-business (Module 2).
- Practice designing a basic E-commerce website layout using HTML/CSS (Module 3).
- Create a table comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different payment gateways (Module 5).
- Summarize the key security threats in E-commerce and methods to mitigate them (Module 6).
- Focus on understanding the different types of E-commerce (B2B, B2C, etc.) and their characteristics (Module 1).
- Study the steps involved in completing an online purchase process (Module 6).
- Create concept maps linking website development methodologies (Module 3) with product catalog development (Module 4).
Questions students ask about this course
What is CIT415 about?
This course introduces the concept of E-commerce, its types, and benefits. It explores the differences between E-commerce and E-business, covering issues, catalog development, and online shopping processes. Topics include order processing, payment gateways, purchasing, identifying shoppers, and security measures. The course also addresses methodologies for developing and managing E-commerce websites, providing a comprehensive overview of the field.
How many units does CIT415 have?
CIT415, Introduction To E-Commerce, has 19 units across 6 modules, over 79 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CIT415?
CIT415 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.
Is CIT415 hard?
CIT415 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does CIT415 take to study?
About 90 hours of study, spread across its 19 units.
How is CIT415 assessed?
CIT415 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments, computer based tests and final examination.
What do I need before starting CIT415?
Basic computer literacy Internet navigation skills
What can I do with CIT415?
E commerce Manager, Web Developer, Online Marketing Specialist, IT Security Specialist and Business Analyst.