Another critical use of email is to keep customers informed of the progress of orders. They may also be interested in one another. Discussion groups and chat groups make it possible for them to meet and talk. Discussion groups can be implemented through email mailing lists, newsgroups or Web-based discussion systems. It's a great way to enhance customer service, find out more about what is on your customer's mind and enable customers to help one another better use your products.
Online purchases can be a very low cost way of doing business.
Like mail order, it centralizes inventory and fulfillment while making products available worldwide. And in many cases, orders taken over the Net are simply forwarded to manufacturers or distributors who then drop ship the item to the customer. No inventory required by the online store itself. Your catalog can appear online and orders can be placed with credit cards which can now be verified automatically in seconds. A local government we worked with is putting all applications for government permits and services online.