Author Question: In about two paragraphs, explain the differences between general-interest portals and specialized ... (Read 58 times)

big1devin · **on:** Jul 7, 2018

In about two paragraphs, explain the differences between general-interest portals and specialized portals. Include at least one example of a specialized portal in your answer.

Question 2

Define the term stickiness as used in electronic commerce. In one or two paragraphs, explain why it is important for advertising-supported Web sites to have this characteristic.

dreamfighter72 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 7, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Companies that have been successful using the general interest strategy as their revenue model, tend to operate Web portals. A Web portal is a site that people use as a launching point to enter the Web (the word portal means doorway). A portal almost always includes a Web directory or search engine, but it also includes other features that help visitors find what they are looking for on the Web and thus make the Web more useful. Most portals include features such as shopping directories, white pages and yellow pages searchable databases, free e-mail, chat rooms, file storage services, games, and personal and group calendar tools.

Not all portals use a general interest strategy, however. Some portals are designed to help visitors find information within a specific knowledge domain. The technology portal C-NET is one example of this type of site. C-NET uses the collection of specific interest strategy. The entire site is devoted to technology products and the site includes many reviews of specific technologies and related products. Advertisers pay more to have their ad appear near a discussion of a technology related to their product or on a page that reviews the product.

Answer to Question 2

The stickiness of a Web site is its ability to keep visitors at the site and attract repeat visitors. People spend more time at a sticky Web site and are thus exposed to more advertising.