The Internet and World Wide Web have greatly affected the way most of us live and do business. One of the biggest changes in the last year or two is the amount of business being transacted online. Frequently named as the fastest growing sector of the Internet economy, Web-based e-commerce （electronic commerce ） ——the act of doing business transactions over the Internet or similar technology——is redefining the way businesses operate and compete in the 21st century. It has been estimated that over 50,000 U. S. companies make some or all of their money online, and over a trillion dollars of Internet-based revenue annually is expected shortly. In addition, the Web influences offline sales, such as the scores of consumers who research purchases they eventually make offline.
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