Transplanted Real-World Business Models

These are business models or activities which exist in the real-world and have been transplanted into the Internet environment

The mail-order model

The mail-order model is typified by enterprises such as Amazon.com where a Web site shop front is employed to sell physical goods which are then posted or delivered. While goods are advertised and payment is made via the Internet these enterprises are very much based in the real-world and are really traditional retail operations with a Web-based shop front.

The advertising based model

The advertising based model accounts for the success of many search engine companies such as GOOGLE and also supports many other free Web sites. This model is similar to that used by commercial television and free print publications, where advertising revenues support the operation of a free service.

The subscription model

The subscription model is well suited for combination with digital delivery. Typically a user will subscribe for access to a database of digital products for a specified period of time.

The free trial model

The free trial model for software is similar to the "30 days free trial" retail model.

The direct marketing model

The direct marketing model. The use of electronic mail direct marketing (known as spam).Spam is probably the most dramatic example of a real-world business model being crudely transplanted on to the Internet.

The real estate model

The real estate model. Some enterprises apply this model by selling Web space, domain names and e-mail addresses.

Business to Business

Business to Business. The aforementioned models concentrate on the consumer market, but there's a large amount of business transacted between corporate entities via the Internet.

Native Internet Business Models

It is rarely acknowledged that most of the business that takes place on the Internet does not involve money. Much of the software that underpins the Internet and the World Wide Web is freeware or shareware.

The library model

The library model. The Internet and the Web in particular are sources of free information.

The freeware model

The freeware model is used extensively by the Internet software community. Much software, including popular Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Communicator are available for free download

The information barter model

The information barter model is very common. It usually involves some sort of exchange of information over the Internet between individuals and organisations.

Digital products and the digital delivery model

Digital products and the digital delivery model These products include images, movies, animation, audio, text, certificates and software. Digital delivery may take place when products are purchased or where information is bartered

Web site hosting and other Internet services

Web site hosting and other Internet services. Many ISPs and other Web-based enterprises provide services such as hosting Web servers, electronic mail and URL and e-mail re-direction services.