What is e-commerce?

E-commerce refers to the transaction of buying and selling goods and services through the internet. This encompasses a wide range of online activities, including retail purchases made through websites, online marketplaces, and even mobile apps. The primary characteristic that defines e-commerce is that it operates in a digital environment, allowing customers to browse, select, and purchase products without the need to visit a physical store.

While other options describe important aspects of business activities, they do not capture the essence of e-commerce. For instance, buying and selling through physical stores pertains directly to traditional retail without any online component. Email marketing is a specific method of promoting products but does not involve the actual transaction of buying and selling. Lastly, a business being focused solely on financial gain does not specifically relate to the nature of transactions being conducted online versus offline. Hence, option C correctly encapsulates the definition of e-commerce by highlighting the online aspect of these commercial transactions.