How can you make money from the Web?
Article Abstract:
The Internet has been slow to deliver on the promise of an electronic marketplace offering entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell goods and services. One difficulty has been the high cost of Web site development, which averages $1 million for most companies. High development and maintenance costs have caused such major firms as MCI Communications to abandon Internet malls due to lack of profitability. At the same time, 31% of 1,100 recently surveyed Web-based businesses report that they are making money with their operations. The lessons to be learned from these practitioners of electronic commerce include getting participating businesses rather than users to bear the costs, providing a wide selection of goods or services at bargain prices, using the Web to expand customer bases, figuring out a means of inserting one's business into the chain of transactions and using a Web development service to reduce the costs of development and operation.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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A flood of Web patents stirs dispute over tactics
Article Abstract:
The current strategy of Internet companies to patent online versions of familiar commercial practices is alarming software companies and entrepreneurs. Opponents fear that patent-holding cyberspace companies could charge license fees to Web merchants for everyday business activities. An example is Internet start-up company Netcentives, which in Jun 1998 received a patent for an online frequent-buyer program. Customers who patronize Netcentives-affiliated merchants earn rewards, according to the program. The Federal Court of Appeals upheld the patent awards in a Jul 1998 ruling. Internet company CyberGold defends the tactic, saying it determines whether an advertising message resonates with users. It may be difficult for Internet companies to profit from the patents because the innovations may not prove successful. Legal challenges also could overturn or weaken the patents' effectiveness.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Top U S West executive is departing to head small firm related to the Internet
Article Abstract:
U S West Executive VP Robert E. Knowling Jr. is resigning to guide Internet-related business Covad Communications. Covad, which provides high-speed Internet lines for Internet access, is expected to introduce Knowling as Pres and CEO today. Knowling will replace Covad co-founder, Chuck McMinn, who will become the start-up company's new board chairman. Plans call for Santa Clara, CA-based Covad to unveil DSL services in five other large markets by Mar 1998. Knowling, 42, supervised a 30,000-employee network organization that provided 14 states and 25 million U S West customers with telecommunications services. He also was credited for helping U S West to develop a proprietary DSL service, which the company intends to offer in 43 markets by the end of 1998.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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