There are a number of strategic uses of the Internet within business. These include:

1. Corporate activities

• Gathering corporate intelligence
• Enhancing corporate communications
• Improving public relations
• Providing new ways to recruit employees
• Developing electronic publishing and new information services
• Achieving cost savings and efficiencies
• Reducing distribution costs.

2. Market intelligence

• Monitoring customer discussions and attitudes
• Monitoring customer-developed websites
• Monitoring competitor activities
• Conducting market research.

3. Customer relations

• Providing product information repositories
• Providing customer support
• Obtaining customer feedback
• Providing directory services.

4. Selling

• Electronic stores or malls
• Order taking and providing information on order status
• Distribution of digital data.

5. Marketing

• Finding new customers
• Educating customers
• Building credibility with potential customers
• Building goodwill
• Improving brand loyalty
• Encouraging brand trial
• Building customer loyalty: membership programs
• Building customer loyalty: ongoing communications
• Building a mailing list.