Glossary
Authorize.Net — 24/7 Payment Gateway providing merchants an easy way to connect to the complex infrastructure and security necessary to ensure fast, reliable and secure transmission of transaction data and to process purchase transactions. Authorize.Net manages the routing of transactions just like a traditional credit card swipe machine you find in the physical retail world, however, Authorize.Net uses the Internet instead of a phone line.
Bounce Rate — An Internet marketing term used to describe the percentage of site visitors that arrive at a single page on a given website, and then leave (bounce) from that same page without visiting any other page on the site.
Brick-and-Click Store — A retail outlet or business with at least one physical location and at least one eCommerce-enabled website.
Brick-and-Mortar Store — A retail outlet or business with at least one physical location. Call-to-Action — A phrase, button, link or other site element that specifically asks a visitor to take some action, including asking a question, purchasing a product, registering, subscribing, etc.
Content Management System (CMS) — A software solution, such as Drupal, that makes it possible to create, edit, maintain, publish, and display content on the Internet from a single interface or administration tool. In eCommerce, a CMS may be used to manage a stores product catalog.
Conversion — A marketing term that describes when a user or visitor completes some action or achieves some marketing goal. More specifically, conversion is often used to describe when a site visitor converts to a customer, making a purchase.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM), also known as Corporate Relationship Management (CRM) — A software solution specifically devoted to organizing, synchronizing, and automating a business’ customer relationships.
Distributor — A distribution business that inventories products from a number of manufacturers and sells to many retailers. Often distributors are able to offer shorter lead times than manufacturers and may sell in smaller quantities. It is common for distributors to charge a premium over a manufacturer-direct price for the service and convenience provided.
eCommerce (abbreviation of Electronic Commerce) — Buying and selling products over electronic networks, including the Internet or mobile applications. The term may apply specifically to electronic transactions or more generally to the online retailing and online business. The manufacturer’s focus is on new customer acquisition, brand recognition and customer experience improvements to build loyalty — online. Electronic commerce is no longer just for retailers.
Fulfillment — In eCommerce, fulfillment is the process of completing an order. The term may also be applied to third-party companies that inventory products and ship orders on behalf of an online store.
Logistics — The management of products or other resources as they travel between a point of origin and a destination. In eCommerce, logistics might describe the process of transporting inventory to a merchant or the act of shipping orders to customers.
Manufacturer — A company that makes goods for the purpose of sale.
Omnichannel — Refers to the shopping (searching, buying, customer service, etc.) experience that is created by the seller across more than one channel. Customers seek a seamless, tightly integrated experience with multiple purchasing options, whether via the Internet or mobile application, from a desktop computer, a mobile device, in-person at a brick-and-mortar store, or on the phone.
Organic — In the context of search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM), organic results are those listings search engines show because of their relevance to a query, not because a site owner paid for an ad or paid to be featured.
Price Schedule (Pricing Schedule) — Price agreement negotiated per customer from a list price of goods and services, usually based on a business-specific requirement such as quantity purchased (bulk buying agreement), timed purchase (promotional pricing) or grouped item purchase. Most often shown as a percentage discount from the list price. Used to incentivize purchases and induce new business.
Product Information Management (PIM) — Software solution managing the information required to identify, link and synchronize, market and sell products through distribution channels. A central set of product data is used to feed information to media such as websites, ERP systems, and electronic data feeds to trading partners.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) — The process of making a website easier for search engines to index and categorize, with the ultimate goal to improve organic results.
Supply Chain — A network or system of businesses involved in moving a product from its manufacturing point to the customer. In eCommerce, the supply chain usually represents the distributor and manufacturer of a product.
Wholesaler — A manufacturer, distributor, or similar that sells to retailers.
xTuple University eCommerce Glossary of Terms
- Executive Summary
- Introduction —
- Are you generating the greatest value for (and from) customers?
- The times they are a-changin’
- What’s your return on investment (ROI)?
- Three Ways B2B eCommerce Benefits a Manufacturer
- How Can You Meet Customer Demands for B2B eCommerce?
- Chapter 1 — Sales Growth
- Chapter 2 — Pricing Schedules
- Chapter 3 — Marketing or ERP Content
- Chapter 4 — Customer Engagement
- Chapter 5 — Multiple Locations
- Chapter 6 — Omnichannel Customer Experience
- Chapter 7 — Sales Reps and Vendors
- Chapter 8 — Customer Complexity
- Chapter 9 — Customer Service
- Glossary of eCommerce Terms
- Conclusion
