An electronic business, or E-business, is any that operates partially or exclusively on a combination of computer hardware and software, often meaning that no “brick and mortar” store exists. In general, this term refers to companies that operate over the internet, usually by providing a web site that consumers can visit to purchase products or services.

With a large number of companies making the move to operate over the internet, the field of E-business is one that is rapidly growing and has enormous potential for individuals as well as businesses of all sizes. E-business is such a rapid-growth area that there are now many degree and diploma courses dedicated to career paths that involve online commerce, advertising and marketing, as well as related fields such as web site design.

There are plentiful training and education opportunities for most aspects of E-business. Any type of degree in business or marketing will be useful in starting up an E-business, and other qualifications such as web design or information technology are also handy for the technical side of the venture.

For web designers and programmers, there are many opportunities for online study, from short courses and diplomas to full four year degrees focusing on various aspects of web site development and design. Search engine optimization on the other hand is a relatively young industry, and there are few qualifications that focus specifically on this area. In this situation, practical experience is often more advantageous than a specific qualification. However, an E-Business degree will definitely provide a competitive edge.

Careers such as web design and search engine optimization are very much growth industries, as more companies establish an online presence and require these types of services. Given the high demand for such services, the outlook and salary expectations of such careers are very positive.

In Search Engine Optimization, for example, entry level positions typically pay anywhere from $30,000 to $45,000, while experienced specialists can achieve salaries in the $75,000-$90,000 range, with up to $120,000 possible at the senior management level.

Web designers and programmers may be involved with all aspects of web site development, from writing the web site code that controls how the site functions, to designing the physical appearance of a site. Web designers and programmers are also often responsible for ensuring that the web sites they create are easy and intuitive to use, so that people who visit the site are able to achieve their purpose, whether it be finding information or buying a product.

These two jobs are somewhat different, in that a programmer is usually involved in the “back end” of web site management, using software and programming languages that determine how the site works, whereas a designer may be more involved in determining how the site looks.

The beauty of E-business is that it vastly increases the number and range of opportunities for any would-be home or small business owner. Developing a new E-business is not necessarily less risky than opening a new retail store or service provider, but certain aspects of E-business, such as no requirement for dedicated office or retail space, make it a somewhat simpler process. At the other end of the scale, some consultants offer services for people who wish to launch their own E-business, providing advice and assistance on development and marketing.

Search Engine Optimization refers to the process of creating web site content that ranks well with search engines such as Google and Yahoo! When people who search online for specific products and services, they are most likely to visit web sites that rank within the top ten results for any given search.

To create a web site that ranks well, the pages of the site must contain words and images that are relevant to the goods or services the site offers, as well as other content that people who visit the site are likely to be interested in. Search Engine Optimization is a newly emerging career field within E-Business, which is quickly growing as consumers increasingly use the internet to make purchases and find information making search engine rank increasingly more important.

Consultants are usually freelance contractors who are hired to work on specific problems or tasks within a given company. An E-business Consultant, therefore, is someone who works with clients to advise them on aspects of their E-business. Depending on the consultant’s particular area of expertise, they might provide advice on web site development and design, search engine optimization, or online advertising and marketing for a site or products.

Due to the nature of E-business and jobs in related fields, many people who work as web designers or in search engine optimization work as consultants for small and medium businesses that do not need such services on a consistent or long-term basis.