The user gets something for free, and the business will attempt to make a future sale. ASPs often target users in this mode to sell advertising. They give an online service away to a user and sell ad space to interested merchants. Sales are sometimes made in this mode, but usually not right away. An offline example would be the sample piece of pizza you get from the lady at the grocery store.
Individuals come to a web site for the sole purpose of purchasing an item.
The user often comes to a favorite place, or a place that is convenient. An offline example would be any major department store. These modes are not necessarily in sequential order. For example an information systems manager might browse for information so that he can make an immediate purchase of hardware for his failing network. Here the user goes from seeking to buy immediately.