Technology and Business
From online shops to social media, technology has changed how businesses sell and talk to people. Learn what e-commerce and digital communication are, how they reach wider markets, and the chances and risks they bring.
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How technology changed business
Not long ago a shop sold to whoever walked in, and a business phoned or posted letters to reach people. Technology changed both. This module covers the two big ideas AQA asks about: **e-commerce** (selling online) and **digital communication** (using tools like social media to reach people). Both can grow a business, and both bring new risks.
Words to know
Four terms run through this whole topic. Learn what each one means.
Match the term to the example
- E-commerce
- Digital communication
- Reaching a wider market
- A stakeholder
- A customer buys trainers from a website
- A shop posts a new offer on social media
- A local baker now sells cakes across the country
- An employee who works for the business
Spot the e-commerce
Which of these is an example of e-commerce?
- A customer orders a book through the company website
- A manager sends an email to a supplier
- A shop puts a poster in its window
- Staff meet together in the office
Two sides of e-commerce
Selling online can grow a business, but it is not free of problems. Weigh both sides.
Match the change to its effect
- Selling online
- Using social media
- An automatic stock system
- Online reviews
- Reaches customers far beyond the local area
- Targets adverts at the right people
- Cuts the cost of managing stock
- Can build or harm the business reputation
The grade 9 rule: real examples
AQA rewards real-world examples. Naming an actual business and how it uses e-commerce or social media shows you understand technology in practice, not just in theory. Keep a few examples ready to drop into your answers.
Complete the summary
Selling online is called _____. It lets a business reach a _____ market beyond its local area. Businesses also use _____ communication, such as social media, to talk to their _____. Technology can lower _____, but it also brings new competition.
Benefits of technology
Which of these are benefits of using technology in a business? Choose all that apply.
- Reaching customers around the world
- Trading 24 hours a day
- Targeting adverts at the right people
- It removes all competition
- It needs no website or delivery at all
Find the e-commerce
An interactive activity.
Going online
An interactive activity.
A new kind of risk
A business gets a wave of negative comments on social media. Why does digital communication make this a bigger risk than before?
- Because messages spread quickly to a wide audience
- Because social media is free to use
- Because it reaches fewer people
- Because customers cannot reply
Advise a small business
An interactive activity.
Your turn
An interactive activity.