She may be joined by a panel of the workshop attendees. Sultan's own research for the last year explores how consumers use the Internet. She has been tracking a group of consumers, probing their use, perception, and awareness of the Internet and the Web through telephone interviews and mail surveys. When the study is completed, she hopes to be able to explain Internet consumers' behavior. Despite the Web's burgeoning, Sultan cautions that realization of the Internet's potential for company marketing and consumer shopping may still be years off.
Many people are still unaccustomed to the Web.
Consumer acceptance of Internet commerce may have to wait until today's children grow up. When that generation reaches our age, they may be very comfortable with the Internet. In addition, technical obstacles remain. As user-friendly as the Web is, it may not be friendly enough to become the medium of choice for shopping and commercial transactions. Already some of the business world's initial enthusiasm for the Web has started to wane.