What is "e-commerce"?

E-commerce refers specifically to the buying and selling of goods or services over the internet. This definition encompasses a variety of online transactions, including retail purchases, online auctions, and services provided through digital platforms. E-commerce has revolutionized how consumers shop and how businesses reach their customers, allowing for a global marketplace that operates 24/7.

The other options describe different forms of commerce or trade that do not involve digital platforms or the internet. For instance, trading goods in physical stores is traditional commerce, and bartering without currency does not involve any form of payment method typically found in e-commerce. Negotiating business deals face-to-face also represents a traditional approach to business transactions that contrasts with the online nature of e-commerce.