YWednesday, October 8, 2008' 10:53 PM
Introduction
With the advancement of the technology, the use of ICT have become so common. From emailing to searching of information through internet, things that seem impossible in the past have been made possible because of technology. In this project, we shall analysis the strength and weakness of a e-Commerce website. We have choosen SingTel to be the source of our analysis.
About SingTel
Breaking Barriers, Building Bonds
SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with operations and investments in more than 20 countries and terrotories around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, SingTel Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and internet platforms. In Singapore, SingTel has had more than 128 years of operating experience and has played an integral part in the development of the city as a major communications hub in the region. Over the years, SingTel has grown to be a global player with a strong regional heritage. With one of the most extensive and advanced telecommunications infrastructure, the Group offers unparalleled reach in Asia and beyond.
Purpose
The purpose of the SingTel website is to allow customers to purchase mobile phones and subscribe to their services online. Other than purchasing and subscribing to their services, the website also provide customer service and redemption of rewards for the existing customers. For customers who needs to go down to a physical SingTel shop but do not know where the nearest SingTel shop is, can also use the website to locate the nearest shop available.
Features
SingTel is using a B2C (Business to Consumer) virtual storefront business models in their webpage. Consumers can purchase or subscribe to their services without having the need to go to a physical shop and waste their time waiting to be served. Customers can also check the latest promotion SingTel is having and by purchasing or subscribing online, it will be cheaper than going to a shop as SingTel have online offers.
Customers who faces problem with the services can use the website to solve their problems as SingTel's website have a customer service section to solve the problems of their customers. In this way, customers can save time rather than having to call and wait for a customer service officer to attend to you. SingTel also have a reward system to allow the existing customers to redempt their gifts via the website.
Another feature about the SingTel website is that they allows you to compare the different types of mobile phones available. In this way, customers are able to choose the mobile phone that best suit them. Customers are also able to check out the trade-in value of the old phone they are using at the moment. For the case that the customers wants to trade-in their old phone to get a new one, the website will state clearly the amount you have to pay with the different plans they have.
Upon choosing the mobile phone and plan, the website will have a summary of the things you are purchasing. In this page, they will let you to choose a mobile number and whether you are trading in your old phone, any value added services you want to subscribe to and the terms and conditions to subscribe to the mobile services.
They will then request for the billing information of the customers
Once customer have key in the billing information, they will deliver the products to them as what the customer preferred.
Upon choosing the delivery date and time, the website will show you a summary of the product, billing information and the delivery schedule the customer has choosen.
Once the customer has confirmed, they will request for the customer to make payment.
They will then request for the billing information of the customers
Once customer have key in the billing information, they will deliver the products to them as what the customer preferred.
Upon choosing the delivery date and time, the website will show you a summary of the product, billing information and the delivery schedule the customer has choosen.
Once the customer has confirmed, they will request for the customer to make payment.
Payment Scheme
Security
As alot of information is being communicated in the E-commerce website, the security is an important issue to all customers. In the SingTel website, customers are needed to register to get a user ID in order for them to access some area of the webpage and also to purchase things on the website. When customers purchase things on the website, SingTel will check the information of the credit card against the information from the user ID, to make sure that the user is the personal holder of the credit card.
Conclusion
With technology improving everyday, businesses cannot remain in the Industrial revolution and must move towards and Information age. It is important to have a virtual storefront, as in SingTel's case, as it can reach out to more customers and to remain competetive.The advantages does not stop here, it also allows the customers to get more information about the services or products; reduce the cost of the company as they do not need so much sales person; save the time of customers and also for the company as the customers can get the information they needed from the website. As alot of information is being exchanged, it is important to make sure that the personal information and credit card information is safe from others. Until the security issues are solved, most people will still prefer the brick and mortar method of purchasing things.
As alot of information is being communicated in the E-commerce website, the security is an important issue to all customers. In the SingTel website, customers are needed to register to get a user ID in order for them to access some area of the webpage and also to purchase things on the website. When customers purchase things on the website, SingTel will check the information of the credit card against the information from the user ID, to make sure that the user is the personal holder of the credit card.
Strength
The moment the customer goes into the website, they will be able to see the current promotions that SingTel is having. The website is very well organise as the different services are categorise. There are various links in the website to allow the different types of customers to find out the information they need. E.g whether they are subscribing to the services for business or individual use, whether it is for the mobile services or internet services, etc or other information such as customer service or support. It is very easy for users to get the information. The website provide great convenience to the customers as it allows customers to compare the mobile phones, and also able to check out the trade-in value of their current phone. As technology is improving everyday, customers would surely like to compare the phones in order to get the newest technology, and also to find out the difference. As for buying the products online, it is very well organise as it is a step-by-step procedure, from choosing of phone to the payment. Customers will be able to know that the information they provide is for what purpose. Such as the billing information and the delivery schedule.
Weakness
The website although have got a link for customer who wants to subscribe the services for their business, but in that link, they only provide information of the services. They does not allow the customer to purchase or subscribe to the services online. This means that if a customer wants to subscribe or purchase the services for his business, he have to follow the 'brick and mortar' method, that is to go down to a physical shop to purchase or subscribe. The website only accept credit card payments which i feel is not good enough. What if the customer does not have a credit card? He will not be able to purchase the products or services online and enjoy the online offers. Maybe SingTel should consider accepting debit card payment and also other credit card such as American Express.Conclusion
With technology improving everyday, businesses cannot remain in the Industrial revolution and must move towards and Information age. It is important to have a virtual storefront, as in SingTel's case, as it can reach out to more customers and to remain competetive.The advantages does not stop here, it also allows the customers to get more information about the services or products; reduce the cost of the company as they do not need so much sales person; save the time of customers and also for the company as the customers can get the information they needed from the website. As alot of information is being exchanged, it is important to make sure that the personal information and credit card information is safe from others. Until the security issues are solved, most people will still prefer the brick and mortar method of purchasing things.
