So the sweets thing will have to do. It should come as no surprise, then, that relationship management is becoming a recognized function in online businesses, and a highly placed one at that, with its own set of sophisticated tools, platforms, practices, etc. Brand will continue to be a driving force in Web commerce.
Smart startups plan for it and fund it up front.
E-commerce is mainstream , with virtually any business now being able to implement it in some fashion. In this time of collaboration on many different levels, a coming hurdle to watch is how well the 'marketing' and 'technology' cultures can be meshed together. Independents with major client lists are now a rarity. Already, USWeb and CKS say their acquisitive days are behind them, as they merge into a giant in this nascent industry. It will provide retailers with educational services highlighting best practices in e-commerce, and will conduct studies to identify trends and innovative solutions.