Online business have the opportunity to offer antiques, books out of prints and other items to shoppers that have yet to find them in store. For example, in The Long Tail, Chris Anderson goes on about how online businesses are making it work by selling specific items. The opportunity in narrowing down what you sell is what makes a company profitable especially if they are promoted right. For example, if one wanted to watch a documentary, they probably wouldn’t head on over to Blockbuster. Rather, they go to Netflix because they are more known for their variety in all types of films, even documentaries. Same goes for Amazon, an online store that also offers a bevy of items. Both businesses are profitable and will probably continue to grow because of its ability to meet customers’ needs regardless of the item.
In Free! Why $0.00 Is the Future of Business, Anderson talks about things being for free can still result in profit. Google and craigslist are prime examples of this situation. These two web sites are used to search for all kinds of things yet they don’t charge the user. Rather, they make their money from advertisers who want their name to be seen by online users. Free not only applies to the usage of these two web sites, but also to music. Bands now post their music for free downloads but mostly important, for free promotion.
In Bubble, Amazon and eBay are profiled because they two of the most successful online businesses. Both businesses offer a variety of items to online shoppers. eBay can help people sell their items while shop as well and Amazon is known for having multiple items in stock that are available at the customer’s request.
